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Saffron Benefits (Ayurveda Insights)
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Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CONSTITUTIONAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS

Recipes with Saffron: Saffron Rice with Rose Petals
Recipes with Saffron: Saffron Rice with Rose Petals
Cooling Blood Purifier
Saffron is a nourishing purifier that invigorates and moves the blood while cooling it. Saffron breaks up blood clots and clears liver stagnation. While most blood movers are heating, saffron is unique among blood movers for its cooling properties. This makes saffron a useful herb for Pitta disorders with blood stagnation, including inflammation, arthritis, acne, and hepatitis.

Skin Tonic
Saffron's ability to dilate the blood vessels encourages sweating and opening the pores (diaphoretic), effectively cleansing the skin and restoring a healthy glow. Saffron is also a cardiotonic that destroys phlegm. A paste is used topically in bruises and sores. Its blood moving qualities enhance digestion.

Cools the mind
Saffron is a refrigerant for the mind. It's Pitta pacifying qualities have been used to restore eyesight and to lower fevers.

Reproductive Tonic
Saffron with milk and ghee is a nourishing reproductive tonic for both men and women. Saffron's blood moving qualities are particularly desirable among herbs that stimulate the release of oxytocin, the "tend and befriend" hormone, supporting saffron's use to encourage mother's milk flow (galactagogue), and to contract and restore the uterus after giving birth. Like most oxytocic herbs, saffron is an abortifascient and should not be used during pregnancy. Its blood moving qualities can stimulate the menses (emmenagogue).

Urinary Tract
Saffron is also a purifying diuretic for urinary disorders. Saffron is mixed with honey for urinary stones. The recommended dosage of saffron is 1.5 to 3 grams of dried herb, usually taken as a decoction.


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About Saffron

Saffron's use is ancient. Saffron-based pigments have been found in 50,000 year-old paintings in northwest Iran. It conjures romance, royalty, and delicacy wherever it appears. Alexander the Great bathed in saffron to cure battle wounds. Cultivated saffron emerged in late Bronze Age Crete, bred from its wild precursor by selecting for unusually long stigmas making the plant sterile. Called Kumkum or Kesar in Ayurveda, it also appears as an important medicinal herb in many ancient texts including Ayurveda, Unani, and Chinese Medicine.

Cooking Saffron

Grind saffron in a mortar and pestle. Add a few drops of water and continue grinding until completely mashed. Then soak in two tbsp water for 10 minutes.

Saffron is used in sweet and savory dishes alike, where it imparts an elegant and classy touch to any recipe. It is especially popular in the decadant mughlai dishes of northern india. It is a signature ingredient of Spanish paella. Saffron is widely used in Persian, Arab, Central Asian, European, Indian, Turkish, and Cornish cuisines.

Saffron has a 'metallic honey' bitter taste and hay-like fragrance.

Buying & Preparation

Luxurious and expensive, it takes approximately 75,000 saffron flowers to produce one pound of saffron stigma. The saffron trade is wrought with as many scandals as the diamond trade. Make sure your source doesn't use red dye to fake the saffron. Safflower stamens are another popular fake. Always buy from a reputable source.

Saffron likes climates where hot, dry summer breezes sweep semi-arid lands. It is native to southwesern asia.

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  • SERVING SIZE: 1/16 tsp
  • FAMILY: Iridaceae
  • SPECIES: Crocus sativus
  • EAT IN: SUMMER

Is Saffron a Good Match for My Body?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Saffron' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Take the Quiz

Constitutional nutrition is tailored to the individual. In the kitchen, especially during your family’s formative years, you shape your family's lifelong health.

Understanding your child's constitution is key to raising resilience, instead of wiring in disease. Study constitutional medicine to discover the keys to personalized nourishment.

Rooted in the insights curated from Ayurveda and Greek medicine, constitutional medicine teaches you which foods match your body, so you and your family have true vitality, strength, and balance. See How it Works.

Medicinal Effects of Saffron

Constitutional nutrition systems use biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, herbs, lifestyle choices, your body, and disease.

METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (vital qualtiies). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

AYURVEDA BODY TYPES (DOSHAS)

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

Other Health Virtues

Subtaste:
Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Moves Energy:
Outward

OUTWARD

Outward-moving substances stimulate circulation, push heat towards the skin, or are stimulating.

SEE ALL 'OUTWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Tissue (dhatu):
Red Blood

RED-BLOOD

Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

Affinity:
Skin Care

SKIN-CARE

Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).

SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS

Family:
Iridaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Saffron
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Digestion:
Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stomachic

STOMACHIC

An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.

SEE ALL 'STOMACHIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:
Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:
Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Neuroprotective

NEUROPROTECTIVE

Repairs / restores damaged nerves. Protects nerve health.

SEE ALL 'NEUROPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Sedative

SEDATIVE

Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.

SEE ALL 'SEDATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:
Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:
Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Skin Tonic

SKIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.

SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:
Antipoisonous

ANTIPOISONOUS

An antidote for a poison. Many anti-poisonous herbs draw out a poison and are good for insect bites. Others help burn it up.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPOISONOUS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antipyretic

ANTIPYRETIC

Reduces a fever / febrifuge.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPYRETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:
Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-THINNER' FOODS / HERBS

,
Cardiac Tonic

CARDIAC-TONIC

Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Styptic

STYPTIC

A herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used topically as a hemostatic to stop bleeding, or to reduce secretions.

SEE ALL 'STYPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Blood Tonic

MILD BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:
Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:
Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:
Aphrodisiac

APHRODISIAC

Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.

SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Other:
Constituents:
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Saponins

SAPONINS

Can be used to make soap. Saponins stimulate mucus membrane secretion, liquefying mucus for easy removal (expectorant).

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Saffron

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Antipyretic, Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Galactagogue, Nutritive, Stomachic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Digestive, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic, Carminative, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Stimulates-energy, Aphrodisiac, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dill

    Dill has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Carminative, Diuretic, Nervine, Stomachic, Antipyretic, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cilantro

    Cilantro has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Stimulates-energy, Blood-thinner, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stomachic, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Spleen-tonic, Styptic, Antipyretic, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-tonic, Emmenagogue, Neuroprotective, Stomachic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chamomile

    Chamomile has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Nervine, Spleen-tonic, Blood-thinner, Digestive, Sedative, Stomachic, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Skin-tonic, Anxiolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Nutmeg

    Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Hemostatic, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mint

    Mint has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Anxiolytic, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Stomachic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Carminative, Diuretic, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Fresh)

    Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Blood-thinner, Digestive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Galactagogue, Neuroprotective, Stomachic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Saffron

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Antipyretic, Nutritive, Aphrodisiac, Skin-tonic, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-tonic, Styptic, Carminative, Digestive, Hemostatic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Emmenagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Antidepressant, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Sedative, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Stomachic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Antidepressant, Neuroprotective, Antipyretic, Nutritive, Anxiolytic, Sedative, Aphrodisiac, Blood-tonic, Diuretic, Galactagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Blood-thinner, Styptic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Internal-detoxicant, Livotonic, Antipyretic, Stomachic

    LEARN MORE

  • Hops

    Hops has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Nervine, Antipyretic, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Carminative, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Manjistha

    Manjistha has these Actions in Common

    Skin-tonic, Blood-thinner, Spleen-tonic, Blood-tonic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Hemostatic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea

    Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Galactagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Nervine, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Pippali

    Pippali has these Actions in Common

    Emmenagogue, Galactagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Shankhapushpi

    Shankhapushpi has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Nervine, Sedative, Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, Aphrodisiac, Cardiac-tonic, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Rhodiola

    Rhodiola has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, Blood-tonic, Cardiac-tonic, Emmenagogue, Neuroprotective, Sedative, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Wild Ginger

    Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

Saffron - Metabolic Impact Report

The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at the Joyful Belly College of Natural Health Sciences. These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation. In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects. See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.

TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION

How did Saffron affect your temperature?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 2
 18
 9
 0
Much colderSlightly colderSameSlightly warmerMuch warmer
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your ear temperature?

30
24
18
12
6
0
3
 26
 0
HotterNo ChangeCooler
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your sweat quantity?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 2
 17
 10
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the color of your skin?

25
20
15
10
5
0
0
 2
 5
 0
 22
Yellower/GreenerPalerRedderGrayerNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the color of your tongue body?

20
16
12
8
4
0
2
 13
 0
 14
PalerRedderBluerNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the swelling of your tongue body?

30
24
18
12
6
0
1
 1
 27
More SwellingLess SwellingNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your appetite/hunger?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 5
 18
 5
 1
Much less hungrySlightly less hungrySameSlightly hungrierMuch hungrier
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your digestion speed?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 13
 15
 1
 0
Much fasterSlightly fasterSameSlightly slowerMuch slower
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

TOXINS

How did Saffron affect the amount of gas & bloating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 11
 15
 3
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your stool smell?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 3
 23
 3
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
 9
 15
 3
 1
Much smallerSlightly lessSameSlightly larger coatingMuch larger
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the color of your tongue coating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
9
 0
 1
 2
 17
YellowerBrownerGrayerWhiterNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your throat soreness?

30
24
18
12
6
0
1
 26
 2
More soreNo ChangeLess sore
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your urine smell?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 1
 27
 1
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 2
 23
 3
 1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMany more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your sweat smell?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 0
 27
 1
 1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your acne?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 25
 4
More acneNo ChangeLess acne
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your freckles/moles?

35
28
21
14
7
0
0
 28
 1
DarkerNo ChangeLighter
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 0
 0
 0
 2
Redder/BloodshotYellowerGrayerBrownerWhiter
27
No Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the color of the lower eye lid?

35
28
21
14
7
0
0
 0
 29
 0
More green/dark greenMore purpleNo ChangeLess green/purple
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

HYDRATION

How did Saffron affect your urine frequency/quantity?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 3
 16
 8
 2
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the dryness of your skin?

30
24
18
12
6
0
6
 0
 23
DrierOilierNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?

30
24
18
12
6
0
1
 24
 4
PuffierNo ChangeLess Puffy
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the cracks on your tongue?

25
20
15
10
5
0
1
 1
 19
 7
 1
Larger/longer/more cracksSlightly moreSameSlightly less/smaller/shorterMuch less
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

FLUID-THICKNESS

How did Saffron affect your ear pressure?

30
24
18
12
6
0
2
 26
 1
More pressureNo ChangeLess pressure
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your congestion?

21
17
13
9
5
1
2
 15
 12
More congestionNo ChangeLess congestion
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 17
 12
More thickNo ChangeLess thick
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

NERVOUS-SYSTEM

How did Saffron affect your energy levels?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 5
 15
 6
 3
Much less energySlightly lessSameSlightly more energyMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your muscle tension?

25
20
15
10
5
0
2
 5
 20
 2
 0
Much less tensionSlightly lessSameSlightly more tensionMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your anxiety?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
 9
 17
 2
 0
Much less anxietySlightly lessSameSlightly more anxietyMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the stillness of your tongue?

30
24
18
12
6
0
4
 24
 1
More stillNo ChangeMore Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

DIGESTION

How did Saffron affect your appetite/hunger?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 5
 18
 5
 1
Much less hungrySlightly less hungrySameSlightly hungrierMuch hungrier
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect burning sensations in digestive tract (do not include acid reflux)?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 3
 24
 2
 0
Much reliefSlight reliefSameSlightly more burningMuch more burning
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your digestion speed?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 13
 15
 1
 0
Much fasterSlightly fasterSameSlightly slowerMuch slower
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the amount of gas & bloating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 11
 15
 3
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

TONGUE

How did Saffron affect the cracks on your tongue?

25
20
15
10
5
0
1
 1
 19
 7
 1
Larger/longer/more cracksSlightly moreSameSlightly less/smaller/shorterMuch less
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the color of your tongue body?

20
16
12
8
4
0
2
 13
 0
 14
PalerRedderBluerNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the color of your tongue coating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
9
 0
 1
 2
 17
YellowerBrownerGrayerWhiterNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the swelling of your tongue body?

30
24
18
12
6
0
1
 1
 27
More SwellingLess SwellingNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the stillness of your tongue?

30
24
18
12
6
0
4
 24
 1
More stillNo ChangeMore Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
 9
 15
 3
 1
Much smallerSlightly lessSameSlightly larger coatingMuch larger
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

STOOL

How did Saffron affect your stool frequency/quantity?

25
20
15
10
5
0
1
 3
 19
 6
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your stool color?

25
20
15
10
5
0
3
 0
 1
 4
 21
More yellowMore grayMore greenMore orangeSame
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your stool lightness?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 6
 18
 5
 0
Much lighterSlightly lighterSameSlightly darkerMuch darker
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your stool smell?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 3
 23
 3
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your stool consistency?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 5
 16
 7
 1
Much softerSlightly softerSameSlightly harderMuch harder
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

URINE

How did Saffron affect your urine frequency/quantity?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 3
 16
 8
 2
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 2
 23
 3
 1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMany more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your urine clarity?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 25
 4
More cloudySameMore clear
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your urine smell?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 1
 27
 1
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your urine lightness?

25
20
15
10
5
0
0
 4
 19
 6
 0
Much lighterSlightly lighterSameSlightly DarkerMuch Darker
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

SWEAT

How did Saffron affect your sweat quantity?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 2
 17
 10
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your sweat smell?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 0
 27
 1
 1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

SKIN

How did Saffron affect the color of your skin?

25
20
15
10
5
0
0
 2
 5
 0
 22
Yellower/GreenerPalerRedderGrayerNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your freckles/moles?

35
28
21
14
7
0
0
 28
 1
DarkerNo ChangeLighter
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your acne?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 25
 4
More acneNo ChangeLess acne
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the dryness of your skin?

30
24
18
12
6
0
6
 0
 23
DrierOilierNo Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

EYE

How did Saffron affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 0
 0
 0
 2
Redder/BloodshotYellowerGrayerBrownerWhiter
27
No Change
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the color of the lower eye lid?

35
28
21
14
7
0
0
 0
 29
 0
More green/dark greenMore purpleNo ChangeLess green/purple
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?

30
24
18
12
6
0
1
 24
 4
PuffierNo ChangeLess Puffy
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

ENT

How did Saffron affect your throat soreness?

30
24
18
12
6
0
1
 26
 2
More soreNo ChangeLess sore
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 17
 12
More thickNo ChangeLess thick
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your ear temperature?

30
24
18
12
6
0
3
 26
 0
HotterNo ChangeCooler
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your congestion?

21
17
13
9
5
1
2
 15
 12
More congestionNo ChangeLess congestion
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your ear pressure?

30
24
18
12
6
0
2
 26
 1
More pressureNo ChangeLess pressure
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

SYSTEMIC

How did Saffron affect your energy levels?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 5
 15
 6
 3
Much less energySlightly lessSameSlightly more energyMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your muscle tension?

25
20
15
10
5
0
2
 5
 20
 2
 0
Much less tensionSlightly lessSameSlightly more tensionMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your anxiety?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
 9
 17
 2
 0
Much less anxietySlightly lessSameSlightly more anxietyMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your temperature?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
 2
 18
 9
 0
Much colderSlightly colderSameSlightly warmerMuch warmer
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

HEART

How did Saffron affect your heart rhythm?

35
28
21
14
7
0
0
 29
 0
More palpitationsSameLess palpitations
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your heart pain/pressure/cramping?

35
28
21
14
7
0
0
 0
 29
 0
 0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

How did Saffron affect your heart rate?

30
24
18
12
6
0
0
 2
 24
 3
 0
Much slowerSlightly slowerSameSlightly fasterMuch faster
Total Responses: 29 REPORT ID:127 (2023-01-11 - 2023-01-16)

Note: These exercises are not part of an FDA-regulated study, and were not designed or conducted under a clinical research protocol. They are neither investigational in nature nor scientific findings. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. They are experiential assignments rooted in traditional Ayurvedic education, intended solely for instructional use. No conclusions should be drawn regarding the therapeutic effects of any food, herb, or dietary substance based on these student reflections.


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Saffron may temper these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual and constitution. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Saffron may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Saffron. Please see your health care provider for more information.

View other ingredients
for Summer

Saffron is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.
VIEW ALL SUMMER FOODS MORE FOODS FOR VATA / PITTA / KAPHA MAIN INGREDIENT PAGE

Constitutional Nutrition: Strengthen Your Health Naturally

When your dietary choices align with your individual nature (constitution), it supports your metabolism, energy, and health naturally. A personalized diet, fitting to your constitution, leverages your natural strengths while gently supporting your body where it's vulnerable.

Constitutional nutrition is especially beneficial for digestion, a foundational pillar of health influencing your entire well-being. Balanced digestion fortifies your body's natural defenses against illness and enhances your resilience when illness does arise. A healthy digestive fire (*agni*) eases discomfort, speeds recovery, and naturally uplifts your mood.

By embracing constitutional nutrition, you will soon experience a profound sense of renewal, vitality, and inner strength.

CONTINUE READING

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle through constitutional nutrition (Ayurveda & Greek Medicine). His approach is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 8 kids live in Asheville, NC

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Comments & Questions About 'Saffron'

Do you like 'saffron'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'saffron'?

446 likes
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Mohammad Alkhobar
2012-12-01
“I have body and facial acne, Saffron is the answer for my problem. "Grind saffron in a mortar and pestle. Add a few drops of water and continue grinding until completely mashed. Then soak in two tbsp water for 10 minutes". After that, I drink the water or what exactly i should do ? and how often, once a day !! a week !!"
Like Reply
John J Immel Asheville, NC
2012-12-01
“Dear Mohammad, 1-2x/day or as directed. Thanks for writing in! -John"
Like Reply
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.