Saffron – 1 lb (454 g)

Saffron, known in Chinese as 西红花 (Xīhónghuā) and scientifically as Stigma Croci, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Saffron carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Saffron helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Saffron provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Saffron has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Saffron, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Fan Hong Hua, Tibetan Saffron, Sa Fu Lan, and Ji Fu Lan. It is the stigma of Crocus sativus L., a plant of the Iridaceae family. The main production area is Spain; it is also produced in Europe, India, Iran, and other regions. In China, it is cultivated in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and other places. The stigmas are harvested from flowers in late October to November, then sun-dried or oven-dried.

[Properties] Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. Enters the Heart and Liver meridians.

[Actions] Invigorates blood and dispels blood stasis, cools blood and detoxifies, relieves depression and calms the mind.

[Applications]
1. Used for dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, postpartum lochia retention, lumbar and abdominal pain, painful abdominal masses, traumatic injury swelling and pain caused by blood stasis. It can be decocted alone or combined with Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Sparganium stoloniferum.
2. Used for warm disease with heat entering the nutritive and blood levels, causing rash and spots. It can be used alone or combined with Isatis leaf and Radix Isatidis. For measles with excessive heat and blood stasis, slow rash eruption, or dense rash with dull color, it is often combined with Lithospermum erythrorhizon and Paeonia lactiflora.
3. Used for depression, chest fullness, palpitations, and mania. It can be soaked and taken alone or combined with Curcuma longa and Acorus tatarinowii.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 3–9 g; can also be taken as a powder or soaked in wine and stewed.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in pregnancy.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: The stigma contains crocin, crocetin, mangiferin 6′-O-crocinyl 1′′-O-β-D-glucoside ester, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, octahydro-β-carotene, hexahydro-β-carotene, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, crocetin bitter principle, and crocetin aldehyde.
2. Pharmacological effects: Saffron can prolong plasma prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, inhibit ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and accelerate fibrinolysis by urokinase and plasmin. Decoction induces rhythmic uterine contractions, increases uterine tone and excitability; large doses may cause spasmodic contractions, with pregnant uterus being more sensitive. Intravenous injection of decoction maintains blood pressure longer in anesthetized cats and dogs and stimulates respiration. Injection has therapeutic effects similar to benzylimidazole (a TXA2 synthase inhibitor) on cationized bovine serum albumin-induced rabbit in situ glomerulonephritis. Decoction increases excitability and rhythmic contractions of isolated intestines in mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs, but effects are not long-lasting.