Saffron has been aptly termed the regal spice or essential oils because of it’s full circle of benefits to nutrition, health, and beauty. Pooja Nagdev, Cosmetologist, Aromatherapist & Founder of Inatur shares an in-depth detail of the benefits of saffron that will have you be a constant in your beauty armour.
Saffron is a rejuvenator to all the tissues in the body. It is cooling, moisturising and energising. It acts as a rejuvenator, stimulant, carminative and antispasmodic. Saffron oil is known to help with menstrual pain and irregularity, menopause, infertility, anaemia, enlarged liver, hysteria, depression, neuralgia, lumbago, rheumatism, cough, asthma and chronic diarrhoea.
Nutritional Benefits of Saffron:
- Lowers cholesterol
- Rich in proteins
- Extremely rich in manganese
- Rich in Carotenoids for anti-cancer properties.
- Contains vitamins like Folate, Riboflavin, Niacin and Pyridoxine
- 6. Saffron has numerous Benefits for Skin and Hair
Here are ways saffron works for your health and beauty care.
1. Makes Skin Radiant
Saffron helps in making the skin radiant. It evens the skin tone and is a natural product that works well in clearing the face spots, thus giving a glowing skin," says Pooja.
the effect of saffron on hair
2. Treats Acne and Blemishes
Saffron has qualities that help even out and clear complexion and promotes healthy-looking skin. "It may, however, be noted that we do not recommend the use of any ingredient with the sole purpose of whitening one’s skin," she warns.
3. Heals Wounds and Lightens Scars
Studies have suggested that saffron can be used as a natural UV-absorbing agent. It contains flavonoid compounds like, kaempferols and quercetin, that help in healing wounds and lightening of scars. Saffron is photoprotective due to its other phenolic compounds, such as tannic, gallic, caffeic and ferulic acids. A few of these compounds are used in many sunscreens and skin lotions.
4. Antioxidant Properties That Arrest Hair Loss
Saffron oil is an age-old recipe to arrest hair fall. For those dealing with excessive hair loss, saffron oil can be quite helpful. Applying saffron oil on your roots of the hair can improve growth. It helps repair damaged hair and treats split ends. Boil 10 to 12 strands of saffron in 50ml of sesame oil and let it cool. Store in a bottle. No need to filter it and store with the strands.
5. Purifies Scalp and Pores
Saffron oil protects hair against harmful external factors like sun radiation, salty and chlorinated water and various ingredients of cosmetic products. It additionally limits sebum secretion by sebaceous glands located in the scalp, limits hair loss and strengthens roots and follicles. Additionally, it gives hair a smooth moisturised look with healthy gloss.
6. Promotes Healthy Hair Growth
Remedy for hair loss: Applying Saffron on your scalp helps in treating called alopecia (also known as baldness). Mix 4-5 strands of saffron in milk and licorice (commonly known as mulethi in India) and apply it to the scalp. This helps in stimulating hair growth.
7. Repairs Damaged Hair
Saffron Oil is perfect for the care of all hair types. It helps both the scalp and hair. It reduces hair breakage and revives damaged hair while boosting hair regrowth. Saffron is known to improve blood circulation and accelerate new cell renewal.
8. Overall Skin Health
Saffron can be used for improving overall health and for achieving glowing skin. Perfect skin is a result of rigorous and consistent beauty practices. While the market is flooded with expensive skincare products claiming to provide you with a spot-free fair complexion, the chemicals present in them may take a toll on your skin and sometimes even on your health. Saffron can be a wonderful natural alternative to those synthetic cosmetics.
9. Treats Acne
With its amazing anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, saffron is an ideal ingredient for treating acne and breakouts. It holds medicinal properties which can help in clearing up acne-prone skin.
Expert Tip: Take 5-6 fresh basil leaves and 10 saffron strands. Soak saffron strands in no-fat milk and crush basil leaves to it. This can be applied every day to the face for one week and then the later frequency can be reduced. Try Inatur Kumkumadi range that is enriched with Saffron oil.
Saffron is a wonderful ingredient with amazing properties for both skin and hair."I have always stated that nature is a treasure trove of remedies and rituals that can ensure healthy and beautiful, mind and body. Saffron is one such amazing and wonderful ingredient and I hope that I could help you with more information on how to use this royal spice," concludes Pooja.
