Saffron

 Saffron is a small perennial plant belonging to the family Iridaceae. Commercial saffron comes only from the very tiny dried stigmas in the Saffron flower thus making it one of the most expensive spices in the world. The onion like corm produces linear leaves, surrounded by cylindrical sheaths. The leaves are grey-green and hairy on the margin. The flowers are lily shaped and yellow.violet or red in colour. These desiccated or dried out stigmas are made into a yellow powder which is used commercially as a colouring agent, and as a spice. From the hoary past, the barefoot doctors of China exploited the medicinal use of Saffron. Being yellow in colour, this is often confused with turmeric powder which is readily available and very inexpensive.

MEDICINAL USE:
*Stimulates menstruation, works against spasms, help in digestion, relieves pain and irritability, and
  helps in the removal of phlegm.
*Asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis, headache, hysteria, kidney and bladder stones, enlargement of
  the liver, and fevers.
*Haemorrhoids.
*Diabetes.
*Internal bleeding.

HOW TO USE:
*The stigmas of saffron in infusion are used to stimulate menstruation, work against spasms, help in
  the removal of phlegm.
*The stigmas are also use for asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis, headache, hysteria, kidney and
  bladder stones, enlargement of the liver and fevers. Eight to ten stigmas are sufficient for one cup of
  water. Use half to one cup a day.
*For external use, the infusion of the stigmas is used warm, as  a poultice, for haemorrhoids, or
  swollen blood vessels near the anus.
*A small pinch of saffron mixed with a teaspoon of clarified butter or ghee, taken regularly, helps
  fight diabetes.
*Add to a cup of hot milk a pinch of saffron and a pinch of turmeric powder. Drink this to stop
  internal bleeding.

PARTS USED:
*The stigmas.

DOSE:
As recommended above.

Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp

1 litre = 7 or 8 cups

CAUTION:
*In large doses, saffron is poisonous. It damages the kidneys and the nervous system. Ten to twelve
  grams can be fatal for human beings.