Saffron ( Hindi : केसरी | Telugu : కుంకుమ పువ్వు )

Saffron is the most expensive herb harvested from the stigma of the Crocus sativus flower. It is dark orange and thread like in appearance, with a spicy flavor, nice yellow to orange color and pungent odor.

•   The plant is grown in India, Spain, France, Italy, the Middle East, and the eastern Mediterranean region.
• Over 200,000 crocus stigmas must be harvested to produce one pound of saffron.
• Saffron is harvested by drying the orange stigma which are 3 of them in one Crocus sativus flower over fire.
• This volume makes the herb extremely expensive and quite often adulterated.
• Saffron is prescribed as a herbal remedy to stimulate the digestive system, ease colic and stomach discomfort, and minimize gas.
• It is also used as an emmenagogue, to stimulate and promote menstrual flow in women.
• Additional human studies have indicated that saffron has powerful antioxidant properties; that is, it helps to protect living tissues from free radicals and other harmful effects of oxidation.
• Two chemical components of saffron extract, crocetin and crocin, reportedly improved memory and learning skills. These properties indicate that saffron extract may be a useful treatment for neurodegenerative disorders and related memory impairment.
• In ancient India, robes were traditionally dyed a golden color from the crocin chemical dye that is found in saffron.
• In fact, after Buddha had died, the Buddhist priests made this golden saffron color their official color of their robes.
• Saffron was used by Greeks and Romans as a perfume on behalf of its pleasant aroma.
• Cleopatra used to use saffron as a type of cosmetic. And now a days it is used in face creams as a fairness cream.
• In the Middle Ages, one could be sentenced to the punishment of being buried alive if they tried to alter saffron by adding in other substances.
• Romans used to take baths infused with saffron.
• In order to cure hang-overs, Romans would sleep with expensive pillows that were stuffed with saffron.
• Saffron is extensively used in Indian Cuisine and Middle Eastern Cuisine.