Saffron, or crocus is both the most valuable spice in the world, and a beautiful, exquisite flower. In addition, the plant has many healing properties, thanks to which it is highly valued and used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology.
Saffron
Saffron has medium corms, up to 3-4 cm in diameter. In appearance they are spherical and slightly flat, covered with protective scales. Below is the mating of the roots. Leaves begin to grow under the surface of the soil. They are bright green in color and even. A single flower sprouts on each corm.
Perianth resembles an elongated funnel, which is composed of 6 bent parts, and slowly passes into a pipe or peduncle. Inside each flower are three orange stamens. Petals can be yellow, orange, purple, white or purple.
Did you know? The Chinese government was not allowed to wear clothes that depicted crocus. Only the emperor had this privilege.
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There are more than 80 types of saffron, but there are several main types:
- Sowing. Its stigmas are dried and eaten as a seasoning.
- Sowing, or beautiful, used as a dye.
- Pallasused as a dye.
- Alatavskyused as a dye.
Saffron's homeland
For many years, researchers have been arguing about where the birthplace of this wonderful flower is. A lot of thought appeared about this. Most are of the opinion that crocus appeared in South Asia as early as 900–2500. But there is a judgment that he is like from China.
Did you know? There is a legend about Hermes’s friend, Crocus, whom he accidentally killed. Unable to bring him back to life, the Gods left a flower that grew from drops of Crocus's blood - Saffron - as a keepsake of a friend.
The historians came to such thoughts that in the years 200–300 crocus was mentioned in treatises on medicine written by Chinese doctors of that time. Some scientists believe that India, namely the Kashmir Valley, is a possible homeland for the plant.But if we talk about the memories that were recorded, then they are marked by three thousand years BC. Even then, crocus was described in cuneiforms written by ancient Sumerians.
The Babylonian-Assyrian culture of the Sumerians is the oldest of civilizations, which included people living in the territory of Mesopotamia. Now the state of Iraq is located on this place. In particular, it was the inhabitants of Mesopotamia who first guessed to add the stigmas of crocus to food as a seasoning.
Where it grows in nature
In the natural environment, the flower is found in the Mediterranean, in the territories of Southern and Central Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, the Middle East and China.
Important! Not all types of crocus can be used as a spice. Many are cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Types of saffron, which are inscribed in the Red Book:
- Crimean. It grows on the Crimean peninsula and the Caucasus, in the outskirts of Novorossiysk (Krasnodar Territory, Russia).
- Beautiful. It grows at the foot of Mount Yaila, located in the Crimea.
- Pallas grows in the steppes of Crimea.
- Suzian, or narrow-leaved. It grows in the mountains of Crimea.
Beneficial features
- If you use a flower on an ongoing basis, then it positively affects the human body:
- helps improve the condition of the nervous system;
- optimizes brain capacity;
- helps to improve the functioning of the digestive system;
- Helps stabilize female genital organs
- helps strengthen male erection;
- strengthens the muscle of the heart and blood vessel walls;
- is an aphrodisiac;
- helps improve metabolism;
- stimulates the renewal of epithelial cells.
- He also has other healing properties:
- removes toxins from the body;
- if you use the flower inside, you can relieve muscle spasms;
- on the basis of crocus, drugs are made that contribute to the treatment of depressive and changeable mood;
- tends to reduce pain;
- crocus essential oil has a therapeutic effect and is used by patients with lung diseases;
- Today, there are developments on the basis of crocus in the fight against cancer.
Important! Before using crocus as a medicine, consult your doctor.
Contraindications and possible harm
Crocus can be harmful to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Its use can lead to poor health of the mother or child. It is not recommended to eat for children under 3 years of age, since they have not yet fully formed immunity.
- There are also contraindications to people with chronic diseases, such as:
- diabetes;
- high blood pressure;
- bipolar disorder.
Saffron is also prohibited for people with an increased allergic reaction to the chaff.
Saffron was and remains the most expensive spice, which has many healing properties. It is used not only as an additive to dishes, but also as medicines and cosmetics. It is also used as a natural dye.
