Bod Electrik

What is Saffron?

Saffron is the little stigmas from the from the crocus sativus, a flower in the iris family. A rare Ayurvedic spice, typically used in cooking, Saffron is extremely pricey in part because each flower must be hand picked and can only be harvested for two weeks out of the year.

Saffron’s health benefits are numerous when taken internally and also when applied to the skin. Saffron is a true miracle ingredient.

Saffron is not only beneficial for treating convulsions, tumors, oxidative-related diseases, inflammation, sexual dysfunction, insulin resistance, cholesterol issues, memory impairments, and depression due to its chemical components like anthocyanins, flavonoids and terpenoids, it has also been shown to be of benefit for treating skin diseases as a result of its anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, depigmenting, and repairing activities.

How Saffron Benefits the Skin

• Healing: Studies show that Saffron can encourage skin healing by increasing cell turnover. Saffron is rich in antioxidants that inhibit the expression of markers of inflammation such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin. Studies have shown that the application of a formulation containing 3% C. sativus extract may be useful in the management of melanoma when applied topically.
• Brightening: Saffron is a powerful antioxidant, which makes it a skin brightening ingredient.
• Antioxidant: Saffron is packed with antioxidants, including vitamin C, making it an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Saffron has UV protective properties and can protect the skin from environmental pollutants and free radicals. Some studies show that saffron can serve as a topical protection against UV damage rivaling the effectiveness of homosalate and prevent skin cancer.
• Recovery: Saffron is rich in minerals and contains two types of powerful carotenoids: crocin and crocetin. These components help the skin to heal from daily environmental, oxidative, and sun damage. Saffron promotes healing from photo damage and increases the suppleness of the skin.
• Hyper-Pigmentation: Saffron brightens skin and reduces hyper pigmentation caused by sun damage. Saffron is known to reduce the pigment called melanin and is very effective as a lightening agent for the skin. Saffron’s antioxidant activity is mainly exhibited by monoterpenoids, crocin, quercetin, kaempferol, and by other phenolic components. These compounds are able to reduce skin melanin by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase.
• Anti-Aging: Crocin, a powerful antioxidant found in saffron responsible for its beautiful yellow-orange hue, combats aging.
• Calming: Saffron fights redness, inflammation, and acne.

A Long Beauty History

In traditional Iranian medicine, saffron is known to improve the complexion and can be used to treat skin infections. In traditional Greek medicine, it is used to refresh the skin of the face. Internally it is known to relieve the liver of the domination of bile and to treat acne, skin diseases and wounds.

Once dried, the spice releases a pleasant aroma described by Aristophanes as a “sensual smell” traditionally admired by the Greeks. Safrana is the main compound responsible for its unique aroma. In ancient Greece (around 2000 to 146 BC), saffron was a royal dye and was used as a perfume in salons, courts, and theaters. During the Parthian Dynasty, they used saffron among the ingredients of a royal scent, which included a refreshing oil facial for kings and ritual leaders.

Saffron can also used as an alternative to pigmentation in cosmetics products that would otherwise require compounds toxic to the environment and human body.

Saffron has been used traditionally by different nations for various eye diseases such as corneal disease, sore eyes, cataracts and eye infection. The kohl pencil was used in Egyptian antiquity and is still used today to adorn the eyes with a rich black hue. Kohl is a very fine powder obtained by grinding cloves, rosewood, saffron, and antimony. Women used it to protect themselves from sun, wind, sand, and even ocular infections by applying kohl around the eyes. Studies show that saffron extract can reduce eye diseases such as cataracts, retinal degeneration, light-mediated photoreceptor cell death as well as improve blood circulation and retinal function.

More information on the powerful healing components and the history of Saffron can be found here.

*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA. IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR