Spices, Plants and Natural Remedies >> Saffron

This herb serves an ornamental purpose along with its medicinal and culinary uses. Saffron flowers are striking and fragrant, usually lilac or orange in color.

Bath water, laced with saffron extract, makes a refreshing and cleansing dip. Saffron (kesar) is a good stomach tonic, cures shortness of breath and depression.

Its healing effect was recognized by people long ago. Small wonder that grandmothers still mix a few sprigs of saffron to hot milk and give their children. Saffron is used to flavor kheer and sweetmeats. It is also used in soups and salads. It is one of the most expensive spices in the world. It is good for the liver, heart and spleen.

Saffron has a good aroma and adds a warm, spicy scent to perfumes.

• Saffron is popular dye used in color garments. In the medieval days, women dyed their hair with saffron.
  
• Use saffron in suji halwa and kheer. Apart from adding a pleasing color, it also makes the dessert nutritious.