For centuries, saffron has been used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Stimulating the mind and brain is one of the health effects of saffron.
Various horoscopes have shown that the stigmas of the plant, which is considered the original saffron, and its petals have similar effects on the mood of people and actually act like antidepressants, so the properties of saffron petals are unique. Safranal and crocin, which are two compounds found in saffron, regulate the brain and nerves like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine and are able to reduce the symptoms of mild to moderate depression even without taking common psychiatric drugs.
A two-month trial was conducted on 40 depressed people in Iran. Some patients were randomly assigned to take 20 mg of the antidepressant drug Prozac daily, and the remaining 20 patients received 15 mg of saffron petals twice a day. They used loads. The researchers concluded that saffron has similar effects to antidepressants. This substance affects the endocrine system and helps reduce stress and anxiety. Since ancient times, people used saffron to calm the mind and improve restful sleep due to its soothing properties. Also, saffron improves the power of learning and memory.
Meanwhile, in Japan, saffron is packaged in capsules and used to treat amnesia and Parkinson’s. Crocin prevents problems related to the degeneration of the mind, such as Alzheimer’s, which occurs as a result of aging.
Saffron has a positive effect on nerve health. Studies have shown that saffron can reduce peripheral neuropathy symptoms such as pain and tingling in animal models and clinical trials. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy affects a significant number of patients undergoing chemotherapy, and current treatment options are not always effective. Saffron has many medicinal effects, including analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, which make it a promising natural product for cancer prevention and treatment. In addition, saffron has been shown to prevent oxidative stress in the hippocampus and improve memory and learning. With its potential to treat physical and psychological symptoms associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, saffron can be a valuable addition to existing treatment options.
Taking saffron supplements improves oxygen absorption and reduces fatigue during exercise in adults. While more research is needed, these studies suggest that saffron may be a promising natural remedy for increasing vitality and energy.
