People have long used saffron or the ”golden spice” to season food and color simple dishes bright yellow. Saffron tea is refreshing, healthy, intense, and easy to make. Science supports its use for low mood, cognitive problems, eye health, and PMS but casts doubt on other traditional uses. Read on to discover what saffron tea is good for (recipe included)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Saffron, also known as Za\u2019faran, is a spice collected from the Crocus sativus <\/em>plant. <\/strong>Alluding to its yellow color and high cost, saffron is often referred to as the “Golden Spice.” It has been used as a seasoning in food and as a coloring agent for over 4 millennia [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Crocus sativus<\/em> flower consists of thread-like, crimson-colored structures known as stigmas. The stigmas are collected and dried, resulting in the saffron spice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The popularity of saffron has spread from the Middle East across the globe. Some people stick to using saffron as a culinary spice, while others opt-in for supplements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But a handful of people want to enjoy the refreshing and strong taste of carefully prepared saffron tea. This article is for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saffron tea is an infusion made with the saffron spice (dried saffron stigmas) and boiling water. Various herbs are also usually added to balance its taste, along with honey, coconut milk, or whatever suits your taste buds. As long as you get real saffron, you can’t go wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So let’s take a look at what saffron tea might be good for, how to make sure you’re getting high-quality saffron (instead of a cheaper plant substitute like safflower or cornsilk), and how to prepare delicious saffron tea!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Historically, saffron was used in traditional medicine as a remedy for a variety of ailments including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, saffron was often included in various preparations used for pain<\/a> relief [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n In modern medicine, saffron has gained popularity for its wide range of therapeutic applications, including but not limited to [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, only a few high-quality, large-scale clinical trials of saffron have been carried out.<\/strong> Most of its modern uses still lack proper evidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The chemical signature of saffron is complex: scientists have discovered over 150 compounds in this spice. The most significant to its potential benefits, taste, and smell are crocin, picrocrocin,<\/em> and safranal<\/em> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Active components in saffron may vary depending on where it was grown and how it was collected. Therefore, the health benefits observed may differ depending on the quality of the plant and the amount used<\/strong> [R<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, saffron has not been approved by the FDA for medical use. Speak with your doctor before drinking large amounts of saffron tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The studies listed below used different saffron formulations (including extracts, dried powder, saffron odor, or saffron’s isolated active ingredients). We don’t know whether their results apply to saffron tea. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Herbal teas, in general, are lower and more variable in their active ingredients than standardized extracts. Thus, their health benefits are likely weaker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, herbal tea is often more affordable, it’s easy to make, and side effects are less likely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With this in mind, here are 5 potential health benefits of saffron tea, based on the highest available level of evidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists think that one way in which saffron extract may support mental health is by increasing levels of dopamine<\/a> and norepinephrine<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a meta-analysis of five clinical trials (including over 150 people in total), saffron improved the symptoms of depression. Its effectiveness seemed to be comparable to that of standard antidepressants [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 40 women with mild-to-moderate postpartum depression (after childbirth), 6 weeks of saffron supplements were more effective than the common antidepressant Prozac [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar improvements in depressive symptoms were seen in 61 patients with schizophrenia given saffron extract for 12 weeks in one low-quality study. In another study of people with schizophrenia, high saffron doses were well tolerated. One study showed that crocin, the active compound in saffron, might also reduce the metabolic side effects of antipsychotics [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saffron was safe to use in the above-mentioned studies, but more research is needed to determine how effective it is, especially when used as a tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saffron extract improved cognitive function and reduced dementia in a study of 46 patients with Alzheimer’s disease<\/a> after 16 weeks [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to test-tube experiments, saffron may improve cognition by inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine<\/a>: acetylcholinesterase<\/em>. This enzyme is a target of donepezil, one of the approved medications for Alzheimer\u2019s [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a 22-week study of 54 patients, saffron was as effective as donepezil for Alzheimer’s disease while having fewer digestive side effects [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists are also investigating whether crocin, the active ingredient of saffron, can inhibit the build-up of amyloid-beta proteins, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s<\/a> disease [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\nTraditional and Modern Uses<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is Saffron Tea Good For?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Possibly Effective For:<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1) Depression<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2) Alzheimer’s Disease<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n