The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Saffron for Beauty and the Top 10 Benefits of Drinking Saffron Water

Harvested from the flower with the scientific name of crocus sativus, this vibrant spice is derived from the dried stigmas of this beautiful flower. The long, red stringy fibers are called "threads" and are carefully removed from the flower by hand. 

The saffron flowers thrive in the Mediterranean maquis, which is where dense trees and shrubs proliferate in those regions). Usually, these flowers can grow between 20-30 centimeters and will develop between the months of October-February.

Because of the meticulous process of extracting the saffron threads and the minimal time saffron flowers are in season, this spice is known to be one of the most expensive spices in the world. However, not only does it have a hefty price tag, it also has extremely helpful benefits for beauty and health.

This incredible spice has some serious super duper powers that keep your skin looking healthy and glowing. Many people drink saffron infused in milk. However, for those of you who are lactose intolerant you can infuse it in tea or water as well.

If you drink saffron milk every day right before you go to sleep, it also may help with getting more winks in for your beauty sleep. Also, the active ingredients in saffron help make your skin glow since you are less likely to break out from its anti-inflammatory properties.

Also, since saffron relieves stress hormones and chemical from releasing in your body, it also allows you to subconsciously relax giving your skin a break from the overproduction of oil. As we all know, more oil production means more breakouts and uneven skin tones. You'll notice a huge difference in the over all tone and evenness of your skin after drinking saffron water regularly.

So, you want to start your saffron drinking regimen but aren't really the best at cooking? We absolutely LOVE H2rOse drinks infused with, you guessed it, saffron! Not only are they uniquely made of rose water, saffron and other natural ingredients, these drinks are extremely delicious. Plus, they're extremely convenient to keep in your fridge to take on the go whenever you need a saffron refuel.

You can learn more about H2rOse by visiting their site here.

This exotic and strikingly beautiful spice possesses therapeutic properties that can truly make a positive impact on your health. Here are a few ways saffron is known to help improve your health and overall well-being:

Although saffron alone may not necessarily be the cure to all mental health issues, there have been studies released that show supplementing with saffron can help with depression [1]. Multiple clinical trials have shown that this high-demand spice improves depression, yet the exact mechanism is unknown. 

However, saffron itself has a much lower health risk that using anti-depressant medications [2]. Since it is natural and requires less processing and chemicals than other prescribed medications, its use as an anti-depressant can be more ideal and safer. However, this doesn't mean that you should stop taking your medication and start supplementing with saffron! Always discuss with your doctor before hand before making any changes in your medical routines.

Unfortunately, our diets today have caused a large populations to experience all types of digestive issues. This is commonly caused by the foods available, and of course the food and beverage choices we make on a daily basis.

However, saffron is an excellent natural spice that can potentially relieve gas pain and discomfort. Since it has carminative properties [3], it can help remove the gas that gets stuck inside the stomach after a greasy meal. Also, it helps boost your digestion by making the stomach stronger.

One of the main medical uses for saffron is to reduce muscular spasm. Because of its properties to reduce these spasm, asthmatics also found relief using saffron to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Also, since saffron is an excellent anti-inflammatory, it helps relax the smooth muscles in the lungs, making breathing easier during an asthma attack.

Because of the high efficacy of the active ingredient crocin in relaxing muscles, this awesome spice has also shown to help improve non-rapid eye movement sleep. The best way to help have a more restful sleep is to drink one glass of saffron water or milk right before bed. Not only will you reap the health and beauty benefits, you'll also get a better, full night's rest.

Saffron is known to also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. The active ingredient, crocin, is responsible for reducing the effects of certain molecules that cause stress to cells which cause inflammation. Also, it inhibits production of inflammatory molecules (TNF-alpha and interleukin-6).

Essentially, if you have muscle pain, headaches, or swelling from an injury, saffron is a great way to reduce this inconvenient pains naturally. Not only does it help with everyday inflammation, these inflammatory responses can also induce cancerous cells to propagate. Therefore, saffron can also prevent these cancerous cell from spreading.

Went a little too hard at your girlfriends bachelorette party in Vegas? We don't blame you. Have no fear, saffron is here to safe the day. A study was released that showed how saffron helps with liver metastasis. Also, it helps aiding in liver toxicity and increases protection against the structure of the liver.

That's right, ladies! No more icky, bloaty, and down-right awful period feels. Drinking saffron water can even help reduce the horrible symptoms from periods. Although it's not 100% effective, it surely is a natural and healthy way to help make your "time of the month" an little more tolerable.

Need a little extra boost in the bedroom? Saffron is known to be quite the aphrodisiac since it improves sexual function. Some males with erectile dysfunction found saffron to be somewhat effective without any harmful side effects that other medications can induce.

The active ingredient crocin is also known to help possibly reverse some of the damage to the male reproductive system from long-term smoking and nicotine use.

Since saffron is known to be an anti-inflammatory, this helps greatly with keeping arteries and blood vessels healthy. Inflammation can cause swelling, which makes blood flow and circulation more difficult. Drinking saffron regularly can help increase blood flow and put less pressure on your heart.

Plus, saffron is rich in riboflavin, which is a vitamin that is essential for the health of your heart. This regulates blood cholesterol and can even lower your blood pressure.

One of the best parts of saffron is its high level of of antioxidant characteristics. Carotenoids and polyphenols are bountiful and natural in saffron, making it highly desirable to drink regularly for nutritional value. Plus, these antioxidants are responsible for fighting cancer, inflammation, and even improve your skin smoothness and clarity.

Calories 6.2 kJ
Carbohydrates 19.7 kJ
Fat 4.2 kJ
Protein 2.5 kJ
Total Carbohydrate 1.3 g
Dietary fiber 0.1 g
Omega-3 fatty acids 25 mg
Omega-6 fatty acids 15.1 mg
Protein 0.2 g
Vitamin A -10.6 UI
Vitamin C- 1.6 mg – 3% RDA
Vitamin B6- 1%
Folate- 1.9 mcg
Calcium- 2.2 mg
Iron 0.2 mg – 1% RDA
Magnesium -5.3 mg – 1% RDA
Phosphorus- 5 mg – 1% RDA
Potassium -34.5 mg – 1% RDA
Manganese 0.6 -mg – 28% RDA
Selenium 0.1 –mcg

In the end, it truly goes to show why saffron is such a highly regarded spice. It's vast appreciation and use goes beyond just the culinary world, but in our daily health, beauty, and overall well-being. Saffron truly is one of the world's greatest natural treasures.

1. Hausenblas HA, Heekin K, Mutchie HL, Anton S. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on psychological and behavioral outcomes. J Integr Med. 2015 Jul;13(4):231-40. doi: 10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60176-5.

2. Saleem S, Ahmad M, Ahmad AS, et al. Effect of Saffron (Crocus sativus) on neurobehavioral and neurochemical changes in cerebral ischemia in rats. J Med Food. 2006 Summer;9(2):246-53.

3. Mokhtari-Zaer A, Khazdair MR, Boskabady MH. Smooth muscle relaxant activity of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents: possible mechanisms.Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2015;5(5):365-375.