Ayurveda recommends saffron or Kesar for melasma, skin pigments, acne, pimple, and dark circles. Saffron is recommended for skin whitening and safe pregnancy.
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Table of content
About Saffron or Kesar or Kumkuma
Ayurveda Medicinal Properties, benefits and uses of Saffron or Kesar
Benefits of Kesar (saffron) for Skin
Saffron for Erectile Dysfunction and male fertility.
Saffron for Women Health PCOS and Menopause.
Use of saffron in different system of medicines:
About Saffron or Kesar or Kumkuma
In the texts of Ayurveda, the herb Crocus Sativus or kumkuma or saffron is grouped under “Varnya” gana. Varnya means the one which imparts fairness and glow to the skin. Kumkumadi taila or oil is an important preparation of saffron, recommended for skin ailments.
Saffron is one of the costliest spices used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Chinese medicinal preparations. It is used extensively in European, North African, and Asian cuisines as a seasoning and coloring agent. The history of this plant’s origin and cultivation can be traced back to 3000 years in the region of Central Asia.
The saffron plant is a flowering perennial plant. Purple colored flower of this plant bears three stigmas. The plucked and dried stigmas are used in cooking, medicine preparations, and beauty products.
Saffron contains a carotenoid called crocin which imparts a bright golden yellow color to foods.
Ayurveda Medicinal Properties, Benefits and Uses of Saffron or Kesar
Texts of Ayurveda explain the medicinal properties of this precious plant as follows.
According to acharya Bhava Prakasha saffron is spicey or pungent to taste (katu rasa). It increases the moistness of tissues (snigdha) and balances tridosha (Vata dosha, pitta dosha, and Kapha dosha). The pungent taste remains even after digestion (vipaka).
In the Ancient Ayurvedic Text Dhanwantari Nighantu , it is stated that saffron has a tinge of bitter taste (tikta rasa) and increases body heat (ushna veerya). It mainly balances Vata dosha and Kapha dosha.
Ayurveda acharyas recommend this spice to heal diseases related to the head and skin. Its properties of healing skin lesions are highly eulogized in ancient texts of Ayurveda.
Saffron is used for ages as medicine for many ailments. Here are important uses of saffron.
Benefits of Kesar (saffron) for Skin
It helps to reduce dark pigments, dark circles under the eyes, acne, and pimple. It helps to increase fairness and the glow of the skin.
This beauty spice is used in ayurvedic face packs, skin whitening creams, and body oils. Kumkumadi Tailam or oil is one such ayurvedic preparation that has been used as a beauty aid for ages.
Saffron for Erectile Dysfunction and Male Fertility
This herb is praised as Vajikara. It is used in Ayurveda Vajikarana Therapy to increase sexual function and to treat male infertility.
Saffron rejuvenates the male reproductive system. This property is used in Ayurveda to treat conditions like klaibya or erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low sperm count, and low sperm motility.
Men can use Kesar along with other aphrodisiac herbs like ashwagandha, Kapikacchu (mucuna), Gokshura, Vidarikand, Safed Musli, Black musli, Kokilaksha, etc. These have to be processed with milk and can be used as an ayurvedic remedy for erectile dysfunction. This milk also helps to boost fertility in men.
Saffron in Pregnancy
Texts of Ayurveda laud these stigmas for making delivery easy. It helps the uterus to heal quickly and also controls post-delivery bleeding. Hence this herb is recommended for pregnant women.
When to use saffron in pregnancy
Since this spice is hot in potency, this should not be used till 2nd trimester is reached. (Don’t use this till completion of 6 months). Always use this in the third trimester or from the 7th month of pregnancy.
How to use saffron in pregnancy
Mix 3 to 4 strands of Kesar or saffron in 1 cup of boiled milk and allow it to soak overnight. Drink this milk first thing in the morning. Warm a little bit before consuming.
Saffron for Women’s Health PCOS and Menopause
This herb helps to ease the menstrual flow and acts as an antispasmodic. Hence it is used in dysmenorrhea, and primary amenorrhea and to ease the delivery of the baby. Since it is ushna veerya (increases body heat), it helps in weight loss and also to regularise the menstrual cycle in PCOS or PCOD. These strands ease menstrual cramps and reduce postpartum bleeding.
Other Uses of Saffron
In Diseases of Central Nervous System:
Saffron is used as an active ingredient in Ayurveda preparations for diseases of the central nervous system.
In Rheumatoid arthritis:
As it balances Vata, it is very effective in Rheumatoid arthritis. Using warm saffron milk at night is very useful in this condition.
Helps in Healthy Digestion:
Kumkuma helps to boost Agni and increase appetite. It also reduces indigestion, diarrhea, vomiting, and acidity.
Effect on Circulatory system:
Kesar acts as a cardiac tonic and is used to treat diseases that originate from the vitiation of blood or rakta dhatu.
Eases Urine flow
It helps in the easy flow of urine and is hence used in the retention of urine.
Best Rejuvenator
These beautiful red stigmas help to rejuvenate the body and act as “Rasayana ”. They boost body immunity and increase energy levels.
Home remedies with saffron
Saffron face pack
- Make a paste of sandalwood and saffron. Dilute this with little water and apply it as a face pack. This helps to reduce acne, pimples, dark circles, dark pigments and increase fairness and glow of skin.
- Saffron paste, when applied to the wound, accelerates the healing process.
- When sandalwood and saffron paste mixture is applied on the forehead it helps to reduce fever and headache.
- A mixture of rose water and finely ground saffron instilled in the eyes help to strengthen the vision.
- Fry 4-5 almonds in ghee. Grind these almonds with saffron and milk to make a fine paste. Mix this paste to a cup of milk to get rich, thick golden yellow Kesar badam milk. Consuming Kesar badam milk at night helps to rejuvenate male and female reproductive systems. This helps men who are suffering from erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, low sperm motility, and premature ejaculation.
Use of saffron in different systems of medicines:
Ayurveda: –
This herb is widely used in Ayurveda preparations to treat acne, pimples, dark circles, dark pigments as it helps to increase fairness and glow of the skin. It is also added as an active ingredient in Vajikarana Rasayana preparations which help in erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and increasing the quality and quantity of semen.
Chinese medicine:
Saffron is known as fan hong hua in Chinese medicine. It is used in blood Stagnation including amenorrhea, retained lochia, fullness, and stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm due to emotional distress. It is also used in the treatment of high fever and to expel toxins.
Unani System of medicine:
Saffron is used as an ingredient in Unani preparations to treat heart and liver (Ayurvedic Liver Detox at Home) diseases. It is used as an antidote for toxins. Saffron is used as a body coolant, diuretic, general tonic, and aphrodisiac in the Unani system of medicine.
Precaution:
Saffron should not be administered in early pregnancy as it may cause abortion.
WhatsApp or email Dr.Savitha Suri @ drsavithasuri@gmail.com, + 91 6360108663/ to know more about ayurvedic treatment and Remedies
Author – Dr.Savitha Suri. Consultant ayurvedic physician.
Reference (An overview on saffron, phytochemicals, and medicinal properties)
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