What Can You Use Saffron for?

Do you know that a single grain of saffron is enough to color 10 gallons of water? Among other things, saffron is used as a dye, and in fact, it is the source of the bright orange color of the robes worn by Buddhist priests in India. But the dye is not only used for fabrics. The rich red-orange color is also used to dye a wide range of foods in many cultures from Asia, Arabia, to Europe and the Americas.

The most popular use of saffron is as a spice. With a strong, earthy aroma, saffron is used to add a unique flavor to foods in Indian, Mediterranean, Asian, European, and Arabian cuisines. It is widely used in countries where it is produced including Greece, Azerbaijan, Israel, Spain, Turkey, India, Italy, Mexico, China, Egypt, Morocco, and France, as well as the US, England, Germany, and Sweden where production is at a very small scale.

Saffron is chock full of minerals and vitamins as well as over 150 volatile compounds, antioxidants, phytochemicals among others. This impressive array of compounds makes saffron a potent source of healing. It is exceedingly high in manganese, and also contains high concentrations of vitamin C, magnesium, iron, vitamin B6, and potassium. 

Saffron contains B6, an important vitamin for proper nerve function. Saffron may help supply the nervous system the vitamin B6 it needs to work optimally while protecting against degenerative nervous disorders like Parkinson’s disease. 

Saffron contains several organic compounds and minerals, some of which have been associated with increased uptake of minerals such as calcium. Calcium is extremely important for bone health and many other processes in the body. By increasing calcium uptake, the body can have access to more calcium for increased bone mineral density, resulting in healthier and stronger bones and helping to prevent bone disorders such as osteoporosis among others. 

When used topically in creams, oil, or massage, the organic compounds in saffron can help relieve inflammation, soothing and relaxing sore muscles and aching joints. It can be used to relieve pain from sports injuries, gout, arthritis, and other inflammatory problems. The antioxidants in saffron can also help speed up the healing process when applied topically to wounds and bruises. 

When mixed with milk, saffron can serve as a stimulant tonic that is applied topically over the forehead for cold relief. 

Saffron can also help increase sexual performance. A pinch of saffron added to a glass of milk can be taken at bedtime to serve as a natural aphrodisiac. 

There is so much you can do with saffron. It is an excellent spice, can be used as a dye and also works wonders for the health.