saffron spice uses Archives

Saffron is a storied “flower of health,” used in the treatment of more than ninety diseases and disorders throughout history and even today. Its healing power is attributed to crocin, a potently curative carotene that has even been shown to fight cancer.*

Saffron is a powerful aphrodisiac and boasts plenty of benefits for men’s health, and saffron milk and saffron tea are both delicious and excellent ways to deliver the healing power of saffron to the mind, body and soul.*

The Magical Benefits of Saffron*

Saffron has many benefits to health and well-being, hence why it is known as the “flower of health.”
- Healers would often wash their hands with water infused with saffron to connect with its therapeutic energy before beginning a restorative ritual.
- As a practice of Indian Ayurvedic medicine, tea or food made with saffron is often served to those suffering from the flu and fever in hopes to hasten recovery.
- The Japanese put saffron in medicine capsules and use these capsules as a sleeping aid and also to treat Parkinson’s disease.
- The Chinese treasure saffron’s healing power as well, using it in traditional medicine as a digestive aid.
Saffron contains powerful antioxidants and a dark orange carotene called crocin.
- Crocin contributes to saffron’s beautiful golden glow. The crocin within the herb is credited for giving saffron its amazing curative properties when it comes to cancer.
- The tradition of rinsing bed sheets with saffron is not only conducted to help with a restful night’s sleep, but studies have shown that it is also a helpful practice in fighting cancer.
- Crocin has been shown to trigger cell death within cancer cells, killing them from the inside out.
- As a bonus, crocin has also been connected with improving learning ability and memory retention.
Saffron is used in regulating menstruation.
- A common remedy for menstrual cramps is to mix saffron with water until it forms a thick paste, then roll it into a lentil-sized ball and keep it in the genital area.
- Saffron is also an emmenagogue, meaning it can help begin the menstrual cycle.
A little saffron paste on the forehead can help relieve headaches and tension.
- When this same paste is used on the chest it can help relieve colds and pneumonia.
- Saffron also has anti-inflammatory capabilities, can treat pain and sore gums, and even lessen fever.
- Saffron contains chemicals that affect the nerves directly and can calm nervousness and stress.
- Saffron can also increase a weak appetite.
- Saffron can also lower the risk of heart disease and contracting hepatitis, as well as act as a powerful immune booster.

Saffron During Pregnancy*

There has been an old wive’s tale that saffron can help with pregnancy. However, the facts seem to point out otherwise. While it has yet to be confirmed whether or not high doses of saffron are safe for pregnancy, saffron has been used historically as an abortifacient, meaning it can encourage abortion.

The crocin within saffron has a stimulating effect on the uterus, which can lead to premature labor. When tested on pregnant mice, crocin reduced the length and weight of fetuses. This resulted in retardation of growth and skeletal deformities.

Keeping all of this in mind, it’s safe to assume that saffron in large doses may present harm to the pregnancy. However, for those who have given birth, saffron is often used in parts of the world on a new mother’s breasts to increase milk production.

See the Video: The Queen’s Herb: Saffron Magical Properties and Uses

Saffron Benefits for Skin*

Saffron is a wonderful skin toning agent. It can encourage better circulation in the face, while also cleaning the skin of free radicals, which contribute to toned and firm skin. Saffron can also help with eliminating blackheads and unclogging pores. Soak saffron in rose water and apply it to the skin for amazing results.

It contains vitamins A, C, and B, which can help lighten the skin, and it absorbs moisture which can help keep the skin hydrated. It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and can help combat skin conditions such as pimples, acne, and even Rosacea.

Saffron Benefits for Eyes*

Saffron can improve vision clarity and acuity and lessen sensitivity to light. Studies have shown that saffron has incredible potency when it comes to combating macular degeneration, as it can stall the decay of the macula cells, which are light sensitive, as well as reduce the chances one will end up with macular degeneration in their more advanced years.

Benefits of Saffron Tea*

Saffron tea can warm the soul and lift the spirit. It is a natural anti-depressant, so drink saffron tea when you’re looking to improve your mood and be happy! It can also help relieve gas and suppress stomach and menstrual cramps.

Just be sure to steep the saffron threads for at least twenty minutes to get its full effect, not to mention, that the longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor and the more intense the wonderful aroma. And once it’s brewed, you can even leave the threads in the tea.

Saffron Milk Benefits*

Saffron and milk go wonderfully together. Mix in a couple of threads of saffron into a warm cup of milk and get a good night’s sleep, as it acts as a mild sedative. Saffron milk can also improve the appetite and help with digestive issues, as well as relieve constipation. It improves blood circulation, and as milk is high in calcium, this drink can also help promote healthy, strong bones.

A glass of saffron with milk does wonders for the skin. It works from within to treat the underlying cause of skin problems, and saffron milk can also be used on the face as a moisturizer. It can also relieve chest pains, congestion, and menstrual cramps. Finally, it is the perfect drink to help soothe away depression and lift spirits.

Saffron Benefits for Men*

Saffron has amazing benefits when it comes to male virility and sexual health. It is a well-known aphrodisiac, and studies have shown that saffron can actually increase the motility of sperm as well as blood flow to the penis, increasing the chances of conceiving as well as enhancing sexual pleasure. On a side note, for men experiencing hair loss saffron has an added benefit – it can treat alopecia.

Saffron for Depression*

Saffron has many uses throughout history and in modern times as an excellent remedy for depression. The Romans and the Chinese often served saffron to women suffering from severe anxiety and hysteria.

Saffron contains chemicals that work with our brain’s neurotransmitters to enhance the effects that dopamine and norepinephrine have on the mind, making us happier. Saffron oil goes directly to the nervous system itself, helping to ease the strain of mental disorders, depression, and general stress.

Saffron Toxicity

When consuming saffron, moderation is key, as saffron is toxic in high doses. Anything more than 5 to 10-gram doses of saffron is severely toxic and can cause vomiting, intestinal cramping, paralysis, and bleeding in the uterus. An overdose of saffron has a narcotic effect, causing feelings of euphoria and ecstasy which eventually leads to temporary paralysis. Overdosing on saffron can also lead to premature labor and abortion in women who are pregnant.

*FDA Disclaimer

The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not render medical or psychological advice, opinion, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a medical or psychological problem, you should consult your appropriate health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Links on this website are provided only as an informational resource, and it should not be implied that we recommend, endorse or approve of any of the content at the linked sites, nor are we responsible for their availability, accuracy, or content.

The Magic of Saffron

As the fabled world’s most expensive spice, Saffron has long embodied the essence of wealth, affluence, and luxury. Consequently, queens of lore luxuriated in baths gilded in Saffron and enjoyed its aphrodisiac qualities. Moreover, there’s a mystical power within Saffron wherein many have found their pathway to the universe’s secrets.

Saffron and the Lure of Opulence and Fortune

Greek mythology gives us perspective on how this wondrous purple flower became synonymous with wealth and opulence. According to lore, this was the reason Greek sailors would make the long, arduous journey to the island of Cilicia. The lure of the storied crocus flowers growing therein proved tempting to those hoping to increase their fortunes.

The Secret to Cleopatra’s Beauty

Queen Cleopatra herself would testify to Saffron’s provocative and sensual power. As legend would have it, the “Queen of Kings” would take baths steeped in the luxurious flower. Moreover, she credited this ritual for her legendary beauty and the source of her uncanny magnetism over men.

Saffron’s Psychic Connection

The alluring dawn-colored Saffron petals tell a tale of the flower’s psychic resonance, as purple is the color of mysticism and intuition. For instance, In India, it is tradition to apply a paste consisting of saffron and sandalwood paste to the forehead to ready the mind to receive spiritual insight.

Saffron is Worth Its Weight in Gold

To say that Saffron is captivating is to understate its seductive power. There’s something transcendent about the flower, alluring about its spice, and a magnificence overall that makes Saffron worth its weight in gold.

A deep purple Crocus flower moistened with water.

Saffron and Fertility

Even though the plant itself is sterile, there are interesting parallels between Saffron and fertility. The Phoenicians would bake saffron into crescent-moon-shaped cakes and present them as a gift to the moon and fertility goddess Ashtoreth. In Persia, women would wear a ball made of saffron at the base of their stomach during pregnancy to help expedite a speedy delivery.

Saffron and Male Fertility*

Research shows Saffron can help with male infertility due to its antioxidant properties. This is in part because oxidative stress can harm virility, thus introducing an antioxidant like Saffron can help to improve sperm motility.

^{*(See FDA Disclaimer)}

Light, blue-violet Saffron flowers in the foreground, with gravestones out of focus in the background.

Drink Saffron Milk to Improve Fertility

If you and your partner have difficulty conceiving, try drinking a glass of milk spiced with just a pinch of saffron and see if it improves your odds.

Easing Menstrual Cramps with Saffron*

A woman’s menstrual cycle is at the crux of fertility and pregnancy. Without an active pregnancy, the uterine lining must be shed, which can be a rather painful experience. However, Saffron can help ease this experience by relaxing the muscles of the womb, alleviating the pain of the uterine contractions causing the cramps.

^{*(See FDA Disclaimer)}

A field full of purple and white crocus flowers near a mountainside.

Saffron Milk to Alleviate Menstrual Pain

A simple glass of milk with just a smidgen of powdered saffron can be an effective remedy for unrelenting menstrual cramps. Alternatively, if you have an aversion to milk, you can mix honey, saffron, and warm water to the same effect.

Consume No More Than a Strand of Saffron a Day

You can drink this beverage either in the morning or the night and even preemptively a couple of days before the onset of your period to help lessen symptoms. Do keep in mind, however, that you want to keep the amount of saffron you ingest daily to a minute amount — no more than a strand.

A Warning to Pregnant and Nursing Mothers About Saffron

Also, if you’re a lactating, nursing mother, it’s best advised that you don’t consume saffron, as there are often additives that you may not want to transmit to your suckling child. Likewise, pregnant mothers should also avoid consuming saffron, as it can cause contractions that can lead to miscarriage.

Magical Ways to Use Saffron

The wafting, uplifting aroma of saffron incense can help focus the mind, improving concentration and clarity and lifting the spirits. Saffron enhances psychic power and increases the potency of spell work and can also help strengthen protection spells and charging of energy.

Unlocking the Prophetic Eye with Saffron

Drinking liquid that contains saffron can help with envisioning the future. In Indian tradition, saffron is mixed with sandalwood paste and applied to the forehead to help calm the mind and nerves before meditation.

Love, Beauty, and Saffron

For attracting love and maintaining beauty, Saffron is an ideal herb. The Sumerians would often use saffron as an ingredient in love potions. The Egyptians commonly used saffron to increase feelings of lust and enhance sexual pleasure, as it is a powerful aphrodisiac and supreme in love sachets and oils.

Saffron sprigs in a cork-sealed glass jar, sitting outside on a mossy stump.

Attracting Wealth with Saffron

As the world’s most expensive spice, Saffron has long been associated with wealth and fortune. It was often used in the most valuable perfumes and ointments in the Ancient Mediterranean. The Persians would weave glorious golden saffron threads within their royal carpets and funeral shrouds.

Consecrating with Saffron

Saffron can be used for consecrating and cleansing magical tools and sacred spaces, exorcisms, and purification.

Saffron Fun Fact: Raise the Wind

The Persians would use saffron to “raise the wind.” Wind power was crucial to Persian culture and was used to moderate the temperature in their homes and storehouses.

Sprigs of fresh saffron on a white plate, sitting amid saffron flowers.

Saffron in Mythology

Saffron and its connection to unrequited love are told best by a notable Hellenistic legend. Crocus had his eyes on a beautiful woodland nymph near Athens named Smilax and set out to win her love and affection.

Smilax Grows Bored of Crocus

Initially, Smilax was infatuated with Crocus, but feelings quickly faded, and she grew bored of him. However, Crocus would not relent and persisted in his aggressive advances.

Crocus Transformed into Saffron Flower

To relieve herself of her newfound burden, Smilax turned Crocus into a saffron crocus flower. The orange stigmas to this day have come to symbolize the warm yet yearning glow of undying and unrequited love.

A person holding a pile of saffron sprigs in their cupped hands.

Saffron Cultivating and Harvesting

Saffron is a perennial plant. It flowers in the autumn, and it’s purple buds only just begin to appear during the month of October, just as other plants are releasing their seeds and losing their petals. Saffron flowers vary in color, from pastel shades of lilac to darker, crimson-tinted mauve and maroon.

Saffron is Sterile

Saffron flowers give off a pleasant aroma, almost similar to honey. The saffron plant is sterile, and cannot reproduce without outside intervention. Hence it is incredibly rare if not impossible to find saffron growing in the wild, however wild saffron does exist.

Saffron Enjoys Warm Weather

Saffron thrives in warm and arid weather. It enjoys summer breezes and mostly dry climates, although it can withstand some cold and brief periods of exposure to snow.

Saffron Loves Spring and Rain

Saffron has an affinity for spring weather with plenty of rain, followed by summer weather that is mostly dry. If lucky enough to be doused with rain prior to flowering, saffron will be produced abundantly.

Rain and Cold While Flowering is Bad for Saffron

However, if unlucky enough to encounter rainy and chilly weather while flowering, saffron is usually prone to becoming diseased and these conditions result in a much lower yield. Saffron detests the shade and loves to bask in the full light of the sun, preferably on a slope that engages sunlight meaningfully.

FDA Disclaimer

More from Elune Blue

A row of cinnamon sticks with a piece of star anise.

Cinnamon: The Yuletide Spice

There’s something about the scent of cinnamon that warms our souls and ignites our passions. It is a powerful spice, much beloved by many cultures, from the Chinese, who used it in healing rituals over 4,000 years ago, to the Egyptians, who used it in the mummification mixture when burying their dead. Replete with the Sun’s energy, cinnamon’s magic lends itself well to …

Honeydew Spiritual Meaning and Magic

Honeydew Melon contains plenty of seeds and, as such, can be used in magical spells, satchels, and talismans to attract abundance. Take a handful of honeydew melon seeds and throw them into the air, then ask the winds to blow in an abundance of whatever it is you seek. Honeydew melon is symbolic of …

Peeled oranges in a carved golden bowl, surrounded by unpeeled oranges.

Orange: The Wellspring of Joy

Love is the key to happiness. We sometimes forget this when the ones we love cause us pain. Likewise, we doubt it when we let down our loved ones. Love can be the path that leads to heartbreak, which stings like hell. It often seems there’s just no place for it in such a loveless world. However, oranges want us to remind us that …

Curly, bright yellow witch hazel blooms.

Witch Hazel: The Winter’s Bloom

Witch Hazel is as witchy and magical as the name suggests. A peculiar plant with distinctly fringy yellow flowers, Witch Hazel is often called “snapping hazel” for the peculiar way its fruit “snaps open” and ejects seeds upon reaching maturity. Not only is Witch Hazel bewitching to look at and amusing to listen to, but its spiritual power is …