22/07/2026
Saffron, one of the world’s costliest substances, is a spice known by many ancient civilisations for its various properties especially the medicinal uses. Though saffron is best known for its use in traditional Persian medicine it was also used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, as well as in the Ayurvedic tradition of India. Its traditional medical indications were many and included cramps, asthma, menstrual conditions, liver disease and pain. In Ayurveda, saffron is said to support the tonic action of other herbs (such as shatavari) and when used as a spice promotes assimilation of food into deeper tissues.