My daughter, Andi and I follow an “independent journalist” on instagram and Substack. She is trying to make a living at it and support her family. Admirable and she appears to be rocking it. She occasionally showcases products in an effort to make a living, and the other night it was products, supplements and wellness items made out of saffron.
Saffron?
Of course that got my attention and I clicked on it. I’m not sharing the link because I’m not trying to make a living and there are these products everywhere. Saffron products are available on the site with the neighborhood truck. If you want the link let me know but the website has a lot of fluff. Feel good fluff but still fluff.
Back to the spice, saffron in this case.
Saffron is expensive, comes from a crocus and yes, you can grow that specific crocus. I already researched that not too long ago because we were discussing cooking herbs growing in the yard.
I had no idea saffron was a medical miracle.
Saffron is a powerful antioxidant and and reading about it is like reading about any of the other herbs I’ve written about.
antidepressant properties
protect brain cells against progressive damage
fights inflammation
reduces appetite
aids in weight loss
It has been shown to kill cancer cells in the colon, it kills cancer cells elsewhere much like cannabinoids, and leaves healthy cells alone. The two properties that caught my attention though were antidepressant properties that start with just 30 mg and eye health specifically light sensitivity and improvement in visual acuity. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407634/. For Sue)
Other benefits are relief from PMS symptoms and it is apparently an aphrodisiac. The lady on the website, selling saffron chi tea tells you, that Cleopatra bathed in it. Not sure why anyone would care about that!
There is a need for research on saffron. The studies available all show support for the health claims but as is the norm they all echo the need for research because there is no data on long term negative effects. That means they have not found any yet.
There was one study that recommended saffron prior to starting an course of prescription antidepressants. That’s pretty huge especially after reading research article after research article, almost never has a natural medicine been recommended over a prescription.
Interesting. This bears more reading, research and maybe a trial. Definitely it is worth looking into.
Speaking of reading, there was a headline this morning about a Chinese herb for fighting malaria. It was wormwood, Sweet Annie.
Happy 4th of July to all! Enjoy the day.
Ok. So does this mean there may be an ultimate combination of ingredients? An elixir that works as a panacea? I say yes and cannabis is the base for it all.... all your extensive (!) research points to the same thing. Cannabis+ based on the issue you are treating.