Chapter 24 - Saffron in Persian traditional medicine

Abstract

Traditional and complementary medicine can be a valuable resource for development of new research. Persian medicine (PM) is one the most famous traditional and holistic systems of medicine. Saffron is one of the most potent and important drugs in this medical system. Many medical applications for saffron have been considered in traditional Iranian medical literature. These studies have focused on the medical uses of saffron as a drug. A wide range of activities has been attributed to saffron in PM textbooks. Saffron has bitter, stimulant, fragrant, tonic, and aphrodisiac properties. According to the traditional literature, saffron has oxytocic, anticarcinogenic, stomachic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, diuretic, exhilarant, antidepressant, laxative, galactagogue, and antiasthma effects. One the most important biological actions of saffron is to convoy, which means saffron can increase the bioavailability and absorption of other drugs, especially to the heart.