Saffron, or crocus sativus, is a plant whose stigmas or dried thread-like parts go into making food colors, saffron spice, and treatment remedies. Saffron has many uses and health benefits. It comprises chemicals that combat cancer cells, alter mood, and lower swelling. It also works as an antioxidant. It takes 75,000 saffron blossoms to yield a pound of saffron spice. Hence, it is one of the most expensive spices in the world.

Read on to learn more about the saffron health benefits, precautions, and side effects.

Health benefits
Saffron has many uses. These include:

• Saffron is rich in antioxidants, including crocetin, crocin, kaempferol, and safranal. These protect cells against oxidative stress.
• It improves mood and treats symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression, with potential antidepressant properties comparable to conventional treatments.
• Saffron shows promise in fighting cancer, as its antioxidants can selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.
• Saffron may help reduce PMS symptoms, including irritability, headaches, cravings, and pain.
• It has aphrodisiac properties, especially in individuals taking antidepressants, improving erectile function and libido.
• Research suggests saffron can curb appetite and aid in reducing BMI by promoting a feeling of fullness.
• Other potential health benefits of saffron include reducing heart disease risk factors, lowering blood sugar levels, improving eyesight in age-related macular degeneration, and enhancing memory in adults with Alzheimer’s.

Side effects and risks
Despite the many uses, saffron intake also has a few side effects. Cooking with saffron is an excellent way to include this spice in your meals without consuming it in excess. Using approximately 1.5 grams of saffron daily is safe. However, eating it in excess can be toxic. High dosages (over 5 grams) can be dangerous for some people. For instance, pregnant women must not consume over five grams of saffron per day as it stimulates the uterus. Further, saffron may also result in allergic reactions in some people. Anyone experiencing allergic reactions from saffron must instantly see a doctor.

Precautions
Your doctor may advise against saffron intake if any of the below-listed conditions apply to you:

• Severe allergic reaction
  Steer clear of saffron because of its components if you have known saffron-related allergies. You can speak to a healthcare provider or pharmacist for a detailed list of ingredients.
• Pregnancy
  High saffron dosages impact the uterus and amplify the susceptibility to miscarriage. So before including saffron in your meals, speak to your healthcare provider or a nutritionist to weigh the side effects and health benefits.
• Adults over 65
  Clinical trials with older adults explored saffron’s impact on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a serious eye condition prevalent in this age group. However, more extensive, higher-quality, and longer-term trials are necessary to draw definitive conclusions. Besides, some older adults may experience increased side effects from prescription treatments. Therefore, it’s essential to consult a health professional before considering saffron use.
• Children
  Some teen trials examined saffron’s effects on depressive and anxiety symptoms. Further, high-quality research is required, as saffron products mainly target adults. Discuss with a healthcare provider for children’s use.
• Bleeding conditions
  Saffron use can aggravate the risk of bleeding. Hence, you must avoid saffron if you have a bleeding disorder like von Willebrand’s disease.