Saturday, September 14, 2013

Saffron

No spice is more special than saffron. Its scent is haunting, its unmistakable flavor earthy yet aristocratic and subtle. It straddles sweet and savory effortlessly, and it bestow a striking golden hue on every dish it graces.

A few strands of saffron is all that it takes to transform a long list of dishes, adding an X factor to everything from risottos, milk puddings and most Indian sweets to rich curries.

It is best to avoid the powdered sort as it's liable to fraud and adulteration and generally disappoints. Get the maximum from your saffron stigmas (strands) by warming them very gently for a few seconds, pounding them lightly and then infusing them in liquid for a minute or two to help release their glorious color and aroma.

It has long been used in traditional medicine around the world, and modern scientific study suggests that saffron could also have a role to play in fighting diseases. Research suggests that the carotenoid compounds responsible for saffron's striking color could play a part in inhibiting the growth of tumors. The active constituents in saffron could help alleviate gastric problems, heart diseases, insulin resistance, depression, premenstrual syndrome, insomnia and anxiety. Eating saffron also appears to help vision by retarding the degeneration of the retina that occurs with age.

Ayurveda & Saffron :

Saffron gets mention even in the oldest Ayurvedic treaties like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. It is an important ingredient of many Ayurvedic medicines. On account of its strong antipoisonous, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, stimulant, lactogogue, livotonic, nervine tonic, sedative and styptic properties it is highly valued in Ayurveda. It is considered an ideal Tridoshhara and a drug of immense efficacy in disorders of children of unknown actiology. It is used in acne, apoplexy, arthritis, asthma, colic, cough dyspepsia, hemierania, insect bites and stings, liver disorders, mental disorders, neurasthenia, oedema, painful menstruation, phthisis, prolapse of anus, sore throat and splenic disorders.

Precaution: Saffron should not be administered in early pregnancy as it may cause abortion.

Traditionally saffron is believed to promote fairness of the complexion. It is widely used in cosmetics, especially in fairness creams.

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