Saffron is believed to be the most expensive spice in the world because of the amount of labor that it takes to harvest. It is mostly cultivated and harvested by hand. The stigmas are also used in making medicine for use in treating:
- Asthma
- Whooping cough
- To loosen phlegm – an expectorant
Antioxidants
As spice saffron is high in antioxidants and has been linked to benefits in health such as:
- Improve moods
- Improves libido
- Improves sexual function
- Reduces PMS symptoms
- Enhanced weight loss
Add to diet
Best of all it is safe for the majority of people as well as being easy to add to your diet. Generally, eating saffron has little risk and cooking with saffron is a good way to add it to the diet without any risk of consuming too much of this spice. Taking up to 1.5 grams (less than half a teaspoon) every day is believed to be very safe, but too much can be toxic.
Cooking
This spice is exceptional when used in cooking seafood and rice dishes such as:
- Paella
- Bouillabaisse
- Risotto
- Rice dishes
The next time you make beef stew or any sauce that is tomato-based, try adding this spice.
Aid in weight-loss
When saffron is used as an aid in weight-loss, it is supposed to curb the appetite as well as reduce cravings. Some advocates advise that saffron increases brain levels of serotonin which helps prevent habitual overeating and the weight gain that is linked to that.
Depression
It has been shown in research that taking saffron or its extract orally for 6-12 weeks can help with improving the symptoms of major depression. Certain studies have shown that saffron can be as effective as taking a prescription antidepressant such as fluoxetine, citalopram or imipramine.
With its many uses, you might want to get some to keep in your spice rack.
