Saffron Tea: 5 Benefits and How to Make It

Saffron has also been used for culinary purposes to add color and flavor to foods, as a fabric dye, and a perfume ingredient. Like many other herbs and spices, saffron can be prepared as a tea.
Today, saffron still holds a high value as both a spice used for cooking and an alternative treatment for various health conditions. Some studies have shown the spice to be effective for a variety of uses.
Read on to learn more about its health benefits and how to make saffron tea.

What is the history of saffron?
Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world because it must be harvested by hand. It also takes a large quantity of blossoms and dried stigmas to make 1 kilogram (kg) of the spice.
The spice has a long history. It’s believed that humans used saffron as early as 3,500 years ago. Historically, people used it to treat a long list of health conditions, including:
• trouble urinating
• menstrual issues
• eye disorders
• ulcers
• stomach issues
• tumors
• mental disorders

What are the health benefits of saffron tea?
۱. Antidepressant
Saffron has been nicknamed the “sunshine spice.” And that’s not just because of its red and sometimes yellow coloring. The spice is believed to have mood-boosting properties.
One older study in the Journal of EthnopharmacologyTrusted Source found saffron to be as effective as the drug fluoxetine (Prozac) in treating mild to moderate depression.
A review in the Journal of Integrative Medicine examined several studies involving the use of saffron for treatment of depression in adults over 18. Researchers found that saffron did improve symptoms for people with major depressive disorder. This may make the spice a good alternative for people who don’t tolerate antidepressant medications well.

۲. Heart health
Saffron has many different chemical components. Some of these may help to reduce blood pressure and provide protection against heart disease.
A reviewTrusted Source of studies done on rats showed that saffron lowered blood pressure. Other research using rabbits found the spice to be effective in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
One older human study in the Indian Journal of Medical SciencesTrusted Source found that saffron reduced the possibility that bad cholesterol would cause tissue damage. Researchers believe that the antioxidant properties of saffron might have a protective effect when it comes to heart disease.

۳. PMS treatment
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, from mood swings to physical discomforts. Some women are affected more than others. For those who want relief but don’t want to rely on medications, saffron may be a good alternative.

۴. Boosts memory
Saffron contains two chemicals, crocin and crocetin, which researchers believe may help learning and memory function. One studyTrusted Source published in Phytotherapy Research using mice found that saffron was able to improve learning and memory problems. This promising research shows that saffron may have potential in treating diseases that affect the brain, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

۵. Cancer prevention
Saffron is rich in both antioxidants and flavonoids. Antioxidants help protect the body from harmful substances.
How to make saffron tea
Saffron tea can be prepared plain, by steeping the threads in hot water. But the spice can have a strong and bitter taste. For this reason, many recipes feature the herb paired a variety of different ways. You can mix it in with tea leaves, or add other herbs and spices.