Saffron Is it Nature's Miracle Spice to Improve Mood, Memory and Sight?

[Blonde Angel]

Saffron appears to have some interesting merits.onder:
Technically known as : Crocus Sativus.

It does not seem to have the same publicity as other natural products, but there seems to be some more research investigated on symptoms of low mood and depression.

Also, it appears that extracts of saffron have anti cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant and anti-platelet effects and support healthy eye function.

Anyone have feedback or experiences?

 

[Bernard]

It tastes delicious in Paella. Sorry, that's all I got on the subject.

 

[Nakamova]

I've heard it described as the world's most expensive spice, but that may only refer to one variety of it. It's yellow color suggest that it has carotene, which might explain its benefits for vision.

 

[Nakamova]

This link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24848002 mentions that components of saffron have anti-convulsant properties!

 

[EDBRAD]

Thanks BA & Nakamova. this sounds interesting. I am definetly needing something that would improve my issues with seizures, depression, & especially memory. This almost sounds too good to be true.Anybody out there had any experience with this?
I am always on the look out for that magic bullet that is able to make an old man healthier, smarter, maybe throw world peace into the mix for good measure.
Thanks
Ed

 

[Nakamova]

There haven't been a lot of large-scale studies in humans, but what's out there right now suggest that saffron might offer benefits similar to other foods that are high in antioxidants. This link http://www.exirsaffron.com/research-on-saffron-benefits provides a rundown of some of the recent studies involving saffron.

 

[AlohaBird]

There haven't been a lot of large-scale studies in humans, but what's out there right now suggest that saffron might offer benefits similar to other foods that are high in antioxidants. This link http://www.exirsaffron.com/research-on-saffron-benefits provides a rundown of some of the recent studies involving saffron.

From that link:

Medical Research Center
University of Alberta, Canada
Topic: Saffron and Neuro-inflammation
November 2011
" A compound in saffron, known as crocin, that exerts a protective effect in brain cell cultures and other models of MS, helps damaged cells that make myelin (insulation around nerves) in the brain. MS is characterized by inflamed brain cells that have lost this productive insulation, which ultimately leads to neuro degeneration".


I realize that this study is about MS not epilepsy but damaged myelin can be a factor in both. Worth looking into some more I'd say.

 

[Blonde Angel]

I've heard it described as the world's most expensive spice, but that may only refer to one variety of it. It's yellow color suggest that it has carotene, which might explain its benefits for vision.

I'm quoting this from an Australian Focus Magazine which states the following

"At a retail price of up to $11,000USD per kilogram it is the world's most expensive spice. This is because the production of saffron is extremely labour intensive."

 

[Blonde Angel]

From what I'm reading in this Focus magazine (their website is www.focus-on.com.au)
Modern Clinical Studies on Saffron includes: there is four areas of interest.

1. Depression .. there has been changes in Depression score after 6 weeks of treatment a placebo, Saffron and Prozac. Studies seem to be positive in demonstrating that saffron works just as quickly as pharmaceutical antidepressants.

2.Premenstual Syndrome(PMS) The effect of Saffron was investigated in one study on women aged between 20-45. It appears over 75% of women on saffron experienced reductions in PMS symptoms.

3.Medication-Induced Sexual Dysfunction. There's been studies investigating the effectiveness of saffron to overcome medication induced sexual dysfunction in men and women.

4.Macular degeneration and eye health. The effects of saffron on vision health has been investigated on people with AMD age-related macular degeneration.

5. Alzheimer's Disease. The benefits of saffron for the treatment of Alzheimer's a study which involved mild-moderate Alzheimer's took either saffron or the dementia-treating drug Donepezil. Seems after 22weeks, saffron was found to be just as effective as Donepezil.

So is saffron a viable consideration to help wellbeing and a positive healthy mood and assist in the management of mood swings and relieve stress??

Saffron seems to be a form of calming herb.

 

[Blonde Angel]

Thanks BA & Nakamova. this sounds interesting. I am definetly needing something that would improve my issues with seizures, depression, & especially memory. This almost sounds too good to be true.Anybody out there had any experience with this?
I am always on the look out for that magic bullet that is able to make an old man healthier, smarter, maybe throw world peace into the mix for good measure.
Thanks
Ed

Its just something to think about and query with professionals you consult.

Using a herb may just assist rather than more meds and I think also consider the other interactions to whatever else you are taking.

 

[masterjen]

From what I'm reading in this Focus magazine (their website is www.focus-on.com.au)

When I click on this link it says the file does not exist, and when I type it into google several foreign language sites pop up - none of which are related to this topic and some suggestive of spam. Would you consider checking the exact spelling in this link again?

 

[CathyAnn31]

I just tried the link and got this: Welcome to Cynergic Hosting Web07

Very interesting topic, I'll definitely be following along.

 

[EDBRAD]

Thanks BA
It would be great to know more about the effects of saffron. I had heard of using tumeric for certain neurologic disorders but from what Im seeing saffron sounds like it is a bit more promising. I am curious what the actual content of some of the saffron supplements out there is, & what downside if any there may be with their usage.
Ed

 

[Blonde Angel]

When I click on this link it says the file does not exist, and when I type it into google several foreign language sites pop up - none of which are related to this topic and some suggestive of spam. Would you consider checking the exact spelling in this link again?

Yeah
I have rechecked to make sure I spelled ok but for some reason I'm getting the same message as Cathy-Ann.
I am not sure why this is.

The name of the magazine is called"" FOCUS on "" its an Australian Guide to Healthier Living and its available at the local ( Australian) health shops its free.

 

[Blonde Angel]

Thanks BA
It would be great to know more about the effects of saffron. I had heard of using tumeric for certain neurologic disorders but from what Im seeing saffron sounds like it is a bit more promising. I am curious what the actual content of some of the saffron supplements out there is, & what downside if any there may be with their usage.
Ed

The problem with this Focus on magazine is it does not detail more information the various studies its describes, its seems to give general information.

The onus is to check information locally.

In Oz, there is a product called ""Saffron Ultra"" not sure whats in it and its available from the usual pharmacies and health food stores.

As with anything please check and get informed professional advice**

 

[AlohaBird]

Thanks BA
It would be great to know more about the effects of saffron. I had heard of using tumeric for certain neurologic disorders but from what Im seeing saffron sounds like it is a bit more promising. I am curious what the actual content of some of the saffron supplements out there is, & what downside if any there may be with their usage.
Ed

I found this on Amazon:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Vital-Strong-Saffron-Extract-Count/dp/B00MI1TKJQ/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1452906794&sr=1-6&keywords=saffron+all+natural+no+fillers"]Amazon.com: Vital and Strong Saffron Extract 60 Count: Health & Personal Care@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OLN-Of4FL.@@AMEPARAM@@51OLN-Of4FL[/ame]

This is the same brand whose turmeric I take. I like them because they don't put fillers and other junk in their supplements.

 

[Bernard]

I saw a documentary on TV once that did a story on Saffron. The spice is derived from the stigmas (part of a flower that receives/collects pollen) of a slow growing (and finicky) plant. Because it is so expensive (relative to weight), there is a lot of counterfeiting going on. Some saffron products are only maybe 20% real saffron mixed with colored/dyed (red food coloring) fakes. The documentary said if you drop your saffron into a glass of cold water for a while and the stigmas change color, you've got a batch with fake saffron (the dye washes out).