Spices as Medicine: Part 2: Saffron

Highly prized throughout history and used as a flavouring, perfume, medicine, colouring and in ceremonies, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. This fact alone gives it an air of reverence and magic. The spice consists of the fine threadlike stigma of the Autumn Crocus (Crocus Sativus) flower. Each flower contains 3 or 4  threads, which to this day are harvested by hand, and it takes 150 flowers to produce just 1mg. of saffron. Because of its cost, it is frequently adulterated with cheaper substitutes, so one needs to be sure of its quality. This was such an issue that in the 15^th century people convicted of adulterating saffron were burned or buried alive.

Next  to cardamom, saffron is my favourite spice to use in cooking. I love its pungent earthy flavour and remarkable colour, for example in saffron rice. It lends itself to sweet as well as savoury dishes. Although traditionally used as a medicine in the Middle East, it is more recently being incorporated into the modern herbal dispensary in the West.

Traditionally saffron was used medicinally for menstrual disorders, fever, coughs and colds, fertility problems, teething pain, depression and ‘general weakness’. In recent years, scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness in many of these ailments.  Impressive results were found in research published in 2005 demonstrating improvements in patients with mild to moderate depression.  The effectiveness was similar to that found with prescription medications Prozac and Tofranil.

Another interesting study was done with people suffering mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. People treated with saffron extract showed a significant improvement in cognitive function. The saffron extract gave similar benefit to prescription medicine Aricept over a 22 week period. The saffron extract was tolerated better, with fewer side-effects than the prescription medicine.

Similarly, research studies have found benefit in PMS and macular degeneration. Saffron in medicinal amounts is usually well tolerated, although should be avoided in pregnancy.

Along with its use in depression, in clinical practice I have seen saffron used effectively for people experiencing grief.  A colleague of mine prescribes it along with a tincture of rose petals with excellent results. The combination tends to be very emotionally comforting.

Recently introduced in a liquid tincture form, saffron can be easily administered as a single herb, or as is my preference, combined with other herbs such as lemon balm, St. John’s wort, and bacopa to support the nervous system and cognitive functions.

"AUSTRALIAN STORY" 4.7.2011 ON BOWEL CANCER

I was disturbed by the sad story of a young woman who had bowel cancer, and I was disturbed by the story of her experience with natural therapies. Taking the story at face value, as I have no knowledge of the people involved, I felt alarmed at the approach taken by the woman and her husband, and particularly her homeopath. I would like to reassure people that this story is absolutely not the usual approach taken by natural therapists.


All of the naturopaths and herbalists at Traditional Medicinals encourage clients to use medical tests when the symptoms warrant this. Any bleeding from the bowel should be tested, no matter what the age or apparent health of the client. With a diagnosis of bowel cancer, our natural health practitioners encourage the client to follow the advice of her/his medical specialist, and natural remedies are used safely and appropriately alongside this medical treatment. The medical treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation treatment.


We would never discourage a client from having medical treatment, but would respect someone's right to refuse treatment if the prognosis according to the cancer specialist is very poor and the side-effects likely to be distressing.


The woman concerned in "Australian Story" chose to use homeopathic treatment and believed that a positive attitude was essential to her healing. These choices were supported by her husband and her homeopath. I believe that this approach could be an adjunct to treatment, but that a broader approach is warranted. The danger with this approach, as the story revealed, is that signs of deterioration can be misunderstood as a "healing crisis", and also that the family is pressured to not express concerns about what they see before their eyes, for fear of introducing negativity. Clearly other family members in this story felt powerless and frustrated by the refusal of some to see what was really going on, that is the young woman was dying from the disease.


Natural remedies can make a significant contribution to the quality of life for someone with cancer. Remedies can be given to prepare the body for surgery, and to assist with recovery. Some herbal medicines can be safely given to help the person cope with the side-effects of chemotherapy. Blood-building and immune system support can be given at the appropriate stage in recovery from medical treatments. Healthy diets can also be tailored to the stages of recovery. Longer-term revitalising of health can be achieved through nutrition, supplements and herbal medicines as well as addressing stress and emotional wellbeing.


When someone is terminally ill, there is a role for natural remedies to provide a measure of symptom relief and to support the person emotionally during the latter stages of his or her life. These remedies can complement any treatments offered medically. Tragically for the young woman in "Australian Story" and for her family, there could have been a different outcome if her early symptoms had been investigated, and treatment decisions had involved both her medical specialist and her homeopath.