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30% off sitewide! Sale ends soon. -dsktp
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30% off sitewide! Sale ends soon. -dsktp
30% off sitewide! - mbl
Written By: Emily Spring
When we’re preparing our favorite dish, we seldom look to the spice rack to provide anything other than a dash of flavor. But certain seasonings do more than garnish our plates with a touch of zestiness or umami—some may offer us a mood boost or an antioxidant top-up.
One of these stand-out spices? Saffron.
Saffron strands may appear small and unassuming, but there’s a whole slew of goodness packed into these tiny flowers. And while it’s typically added as a flavor elevator and color coordinator—particularly for its vibrant red pop—you can keep this spice nearby for an added health booster.
Let’s dig into all the mouth-watering, healthy benefits of saffron.
Frequently touted as a botanical remedy in ancient times, saffron has a long history of use in food and medicine. Many of these folk medical traditions are now backed by modern scientific findings, which have spurred modern scientists to keep researching the expanding list of ways saffron could support health and wellness.
These benefits come down to the bioactive compounds contained in saffron, including:1
This trifecta of compounds is thought to contribute to the numerous potential benefits you may relish from including saffron in your diet.
What are those benefits?
There may be more behind that happiness you feel when sharing laughs with friends over a saffron-infused meal: Saffron has been extensively studied for its mood-enhancing qualities, and it’s even being researched for its potential to support mental well-being. Create a morning routine to make you happy by incorporating mushroom gummies into your daily regimen.
Specifically, several pre-clinical and clinical studies were conducted to determine saffron’s applications in counteracting symptoms related to:
Taking a sleep aid that contains saffron may help to support a longer, more high-quality night’s rest—particularly in individuals who may already struggle with insomnia or other mild to moderate sleep disorders.3
Compared with a placebo, one double-blind clinical trial showed the herb has the potential to support better sleep on three counts:4
Researchers suspect saffron’s sleep-enhancing effects may be related to hormones: When taken before bed, saffron could help give your body a melatonin boost. Melatonin is an essential hormone for helping ease the body into a state of calm before bedtime—a crucial part of regulating circadian rhythm, and helping to get your internal clock back on track.
Moreover, saffron’s potential mood-boosting properties could work to make it just as useful in promoting a better night’s rest. As anyone who’s ever tossed and turned in the night knows, managing stress can critically influence sleep quality—and leaning on herbal allies to ease our bodies and minds may help make our nightly Zzs that much more restorative.
Saffron is suspected of having powerful antioxidant properties—i.e., it may help our bodies flush out damaging free radicals, thereby preventing oxidative stress.
Each antioxidative herb, fruit, or veggie typically comes with a set of health benefits that could assist individual systems within the body. Where saffron is concerned, here are just some of its antioxidant-related advantages:
Saffron has been making a splash in the world of health and beauty, and it’s recently made appearances on the ingredients of serums, face masks, moisturizers, and more.
But what makes saffron such a sterling skin ally? The answer may trace back to its antioxidative properties.8 When used on its own—or in combination with powerhouse moisturizing, protective compounds like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E—saffron may lead to visibly calmer, brighter, smoother-looking skin.8
But saffron’s skin benefits aren’t solely superficial: Saffron is also being studied for its potential to shield the skin from harmful UV rays, making it an excellent naturally-derived companion to cosmetic sunscreens.9 Plus, some research indicates that saffron extract may be a powerful treatment for burns when applied topically, helping to expedite skin healing and regeneration.10
While these are the more impressive health benefits of saffron, here are other lesser-known benefits:
So, you’re intrigued by saffron’s reported mood-boosting properties or its potential to impart an incandescent glow to your skin.
Now the only question is: How can you incorporate enough of this ultra-fine herb so that your wellness regimen can reap the benefits?
Whether you apply it topically or make it a staple spice in your pantry, enlisting saffron into your routine is easier than you might think:
Saffron is generally considered safe to be taken daily as an oral nutrition supplement. While the average daily dose recommendation is around 30mg per day, doses up to 1.5g per day are considered safe. Negative effects may appear in doses of 5g or more.12
Most studies haven’t found any worrisome side effects from saffron consumption, either as a supplement or when used within the recommended dosage parameters. Consult with your healthcare provider if you encounter any troubling side effects or changes or if you experience any allergic reactions.
Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and with good reason. Saffron is made from the pistil of the crocus flower, and the harvesting process is laborious and time-consuming. Each crocus flower contains five pistils, and they need to be plucked delicately by hand from the center of the petals.
Don’t let the high price tag deter you, though. When it comes to saffron’s many therapeutic benefits, a little goes a long way.
For such a feather-light herb, saffron is clinically proven to tout some heavy-hitting health benefits. However, saffron is an expensive spice, so another way to take saffron daily is to find a quality health product with saffron.
You can slide this spice into your routine seamlessly with WonderSleep Mushroom Gummies—your bedside table’s new BFF. A combination of saffron and other soothing plant-based ingredients like corydalis, passion flower, and reishi “queen of mushrooms,” this blend was designed to summon deeper Zzs and leave you feeling energized the next day.
At Plant People, we believe in the science-backed power of plants and mushrooms to help us achieve whole-body wellness. Take our short quiz for a customized shopping experience that meets your body’s needs and your long-term wellness goals.
Written by Emily Spring
Emily Spring is the Director of Marketing at Plant People. A longtime proponent of balanced living, she has enjoyed over 8 years driving growth in the lifestyle, health and wellness sectors with deep experience in functional solutions for optimizing anyone's everyday life.
Reviewed by Gabe Kennedy
Co-Founder of Plant People, Gabe Kennedy is an acclaimed chef and entrepreneur. Growing up in a house of healers and herbalists, he is passionate about the power of food as a tool for health, and actualized this passion and belief system into his company, Plant People. Named toForbes 30 under 30Gabe has shaped menus and cooked his way around the world with his mission to promote a more communal, green and healthy world.
Gabe is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. You can learn more about his work at hiswebsite.
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