It is not surprising that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It has a unique chemical composition, and has the ability to block the development of cancer cells. This medicinal spice is widely used in many areas: cooking, folk healing, cosmetology, etc. What are the benefits of saffron, how to make healing tea from it and who should consume it - find out from the article.

Saffron Composition

Saffron (crocus) is a perennial bulbous plant that is widely grown in Turkey, China, Japan, Pakistan, Iran, Spain. It has gained wide demand and popularity due to its excellent taste, pleasant light aroma and exclusive medicinal characteristics.

Did you know? There is no wild saffron variety. 80% of the world's total spices are grown in Iran. However, the most expensive is the Indian Kashmir saffron, which is estimated at 20-30 thousand dollars per 1 kg.

Spice is of particular importance for traditional medicine, as it helps to prevent and cure many different diseases. Such qualities of the spice are due to its multifaceted, balanced chemical composition, which is represented by a complex of active biological substances, micro and macro elements, essential oils, tannins, amino acids, aldehydes and flavonoids.

Of the vitamins in seasoning, one can note:

• AND: is necessary for the normal functioning of visual function, protects against infections and pathogenic bacteria, ensures normal intrauterine development of the embryo, prevents heart and vascular diseases;
• group B (B1, B2, B6, B9): ensure the normal functioning of the nervous system, help form red blood cells, normalize night sleep, reduce the negative effects of stress;
• WITH: helps to destroy harmful substances produced by the body with age, strengthens the immune system, increases protective functions, allows you to quickly overcome infections;
• PP: participates in redox processes, reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol, stimulates the liver and kidneys, facilitates the digestion process.

Saffron stamens contain the following mineral components:

• zinc: strengthens the immune system, improves the condition of the skin, hair and nails, activates brain activity, takes part in the formation of bone tissue;
• copper: necessary for collagen production, improves metabolism, promotes hemoglobin synthesis, regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism;
• phosphorus: takes part in the formation of solid systems - teeth and bones, participates in energy metabolism, activates the action of many vitamins;
• iron: transports oxygen to cells, prevents the development of anemia, improves metabolic processes, prevents the appearance of blood clots, improves blood composition;
• magnesium: normalizes the functioning of the intestines, prevents the formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder, ensures the normal functioning of the heart muscle, increases stress resistance of the body;
• manganese: takes part in the regulation of sugar levels, has a beneficial effect on the formation of bones and muscles;
• selenium: regulates metabolism, takes part in the formation of cells, neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals;
• calcium: regulates the secretion of hormones, takes part in the formation of bone and muscle tissue, contributes to the proper development of the skeleton, is responsible for blood coagulation.

The chemical composition of the spice is simply impressive. The manganese content in 1 tablespoon of saffron is 400 times the recommended daily dose that a person needs to maintain normal life. In addition, this portion contains: ascorbic acid - 38%, magnesium - 17%, omega-3 - 100%, vitamin B6 - 51%.

Did you know? Crocus is considered an excellent natural preservative. Dishes prepared with its addition do not deteriorate for a long time without a refrigerator.

Useful properties and contraindications

Crocus is characterized by an extremely multifaceted biological composition, thanks to which it received great success in the field of traditional medicine. During the use of spices, its effectiveness in the treatment and prevention of various ailments was discovered.

• Dosed, competent use of spices allows you to:
• improve digestion, speed up metabolism;
• strengthen the body, increase its resistance to viruses and infections during colds;
• normalize the menstrual cycle in women;
• increase libido and improve the functioning of the reproductive system in men;
• restore brain cells, activate brain activity;
• avoid vision loss in old age;
• cure diseases of the respiratory tract, in particular, bronchitis, tonsillitis;
• improve appetite;
• prevent premature skin aging.

• Seasoning has a wide range of effects on the human body:
• anti-aging;
• antiseptic;
• painkillers;
• antimicrobial;
• sedative;
• diuretic;
• sweatshops;
• expectorant;
• restorative.

• Such qualities make it possible to use saffron in the treatment of pathologies such as:
• urolithiasis disease;
• eye diseases;
• diabetes;
• high or low blood pressure;
• neoplasms of a benign or malignant nature;
• depression, insomnia;
• Alzheimer's disease;
• bronchial asthma;
• obesity;
• sexual dysfunction and PMS;
• memory loss and neurological disorders;
• breast inflammation;
• hemorrhoids;
• nail fungus;
• muscle degeneration.

Despite the huge number of useful properties, saffron has a number of serious contraindications and, if these dosages are not observed, can cause great harm to the body.

• The main contraindications include:
• individual intolerance to spices;
• genetic tendency to allergic reactions;
• children under 3 years old;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• any ailments in the acute stage.

With great caution, it is recommended to consume the spice for diabetes, hypotension, severe heart disease. An overdose of spice, which manifests itself in nausea, vomiting, the appearance of headaches and acute diarrhea, can cause severe intoxication, including death.

Important! Eat saffron in a strictly dosed amount. 10 g of spice is already a lethal dose for an adult.

Tea recipe

In cooking, crocus is used as a spice, which is added to various dishes: meat, soups, vegetables, pastries, desserts, etc. In the field of traditional medicine, the spice is mainly used for making tea or making medicinal infusions, decoctions.

The recipe for medicinal tea is quite simple and for its preparation you will need only four components:

• stigmas of spice - 5-7 petals per 1 cup (250 ml);
• black tea - 2 tsp;
• water - 0.5 l;
• honey to taste.

A step-by-step algorithm for brewing a drink is based on the following steps:

1. Pour boiling water over the glass container, add black tea to the bottom, pour hot water at a temperature of +85 ... + 90 ° С.
2. At the bottom of the mug, place the stigmas of crocus, pour in the infused black tea.
3. Add honey to taste in the drink.

To diversify the taste of tea, you can add fresh or dried kumquat, green tea, lemon to it. It is also allowed to prepare a drink using only one spice.

How to brew and take

For brewing tea, it is recommended to take well-dried pestle spice threads, not more than 7-15 pieces per 1 liter of water. The threads should have a bright saturated color, a pronounced aroma, a sharp, slightly bitter taste. You should not buy a broken, dull, dusty saffron or powder spice.

Saffron tea is brewed as follows:

1. In a teapot previously washed with boiling water, lay 7–10 petals of the spice.
2. Fill a container with 250 ml of hot water and place on a fire.
3. To simmer tea on low heat for 3-5 minutes, add 2 cups of boiled water, do not bring to a boil.
4. Set aside the drink, let it brew.
5. Tea is ready to drink when the spice strands have completely fallen to the bottom.

Tea should be drunk in the morning at 200 ml half an hour before a meal. The drink is very tonic, so drinking at night is not recommended. During colds, tea can be drunk in the same dosages, but three times a day, while the last dose should be 2 hours before bedtime.

Important! Experts do not advise throwing away brewed raw materials; it can be reused.

Tea Storage

It is not recommended to store the prepared tea for a long time, as it loses its healing qualities. Before use, it is better to brew a fresh portion of the drink. It is recommended to keep the spice in a tightly sealed glass container in a dry, dark place, protected from direct exposure to direct sunlight. Spice loses its healing qualities, delicate aroma and taste after 6 months, so you can’t use it longer than this time.Saffron is a unique spicy plant that has long conquered humanity with its excellent medicinal qualities, exquisite aroma and unique taste. By consuming the spice regularly, you can cure and prevent many health problems, but remember that the product has a number of contraindications and can be even fatal if overused.