Saffron petals: uses and potential benefits
Saffron petals are the purple flower petals of the Crocus sativus plant that remain after the prized red stigmas (saffron threads) are harvested. The main uses of saffron petals are as a mild herbal tea and in simple, traditional skin-care preparations, and the petals are a natural source of antioxidants. This guide explains those uses and reviews what early research does — and does not — show about saffron petals and health.
Health note: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Research on saffron and health is still mostly preliminary — largely laboratory and animal studies — and saffron has not been proven to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Saffron should never replace care prescribed by a doctor. If you have a medical condition, please talk to a qualified healthcare professional before using saffron.
What are the properties of saffron flowers?
Saffron flower contains several notable plant compounds, including crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Kaempferol and crocetin are other compounds found in saffron flowers. Together, these compounds make saffron flowers a rich source of antioxidants.
The human body produces some antioxidants and absorbs the rest from food. A lack of antioxidants is associated with premature aging, added pressure on the immune system and cell damage. Because saffron flower is rich in antioxidants, it has long been valued in traditional medicine, and researchers continue to study its possible health-related properties.
Saffron petals and cancer research
Early laboratory (in vitro) research suggests that compounds in saffron and its petals — including crocin and crocetin — may slow the growth of certain cancer cell lines in the lab. However, saffron and its extracts have not been shown to treat cancer in people, and there are no human clinical trials confirming such an effect. Saffron is a food and flavoring, not a cancer treatment, and it should never be used in place of chemotherapy, radiation, or a doctor’s care. Anyone dealing with cancer should follow the treatment plan set by their oncologist.
Saffron petals and anti-inflammatory properties
Saffron contains antioxidant compounds that have shown anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies. Some early research has explored whether these effects might be relevant to brain health and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. This work is preliminary, however, and has not established that saffron reduces Alzheimer’s symptoms in people; saffron is not a treatment for any neurological condition.
Saffron petals and mood
Saffron has also been studied for its possible effects on mood. Some small studies have looked at saffron extract in relation to dopamine and mild low mood, and compounds such as crocin and safranal have been investigated in connection with stress and sleep. This research is early and limited, and saffron is not a proven treatment for depression, anxiety, or insomnia. Depression is a serious medical condition — if you are struggling, please speak with a doctor or a mental-health professional rather than relying on saffron tea as a home remedy.
Saffron petals and skin care
Saffron is also used in traditional skin care. It contains compounds that may help protect the skin from some sun damage, and it is often valued for a moisturizing effect that can help maintain skin moisture and reduce dryness.
Saffron has also been linked, in traditional use and some preliminary studies, to a range of other claims — such as eye health in age-related macular degeneration (AMD, a common cause of vision loss in older adults), blood sugar, asthma symptoms, muscle fatigue, coughing, and bloating. These uses are not backed by accurate or sufficient scientific evidence, and saffron should not be relied on to treat any of them.
Saffron petal tea
As mentioned above, saffron petal tea is a popular way to use the petals. To prepare this tea, you can use fresh or dried saffron petals and pour a small amount into a glass. Then pour in boiling water and put the glass on indirect heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. After brewing, your saffron petal tea is ready.
Saffron tea
Another way you can benefit from the properties of saffron is to consume saffron tea. You do not need saffron petals to make this tea and you should use saffron strings (stigma and cream). To make saffron tea, boil two glasses of water and pour it into a teapot, then add a tablespoon of black tea and a gram of ground saffron to the teapot and let it brew. You can also add rose and cardamom tea to the desired amount.
Saffron skin mask
To make a homemade skin mask with saffron, you can grind some saffron and combine it with a little honey. Then put the resulting mask on your skin and after 10 minutes, wash it off with water.
