Saffron is sweet, astringent and heating, and has a sweet vipaka. It is tridosha balancing and is good for improving skin color and complexion. Some of its many uses are as a blood cleanser, liver detoxifier, nerve tonic, blood thinner and as a heart tonic. It is aphrodisiac and can help increase the sperm count. It can also be used for cough, cold, congestion and hemorrhoids.
1. For sexual debility, drink 1 cup hot milk with a pinch of saffron.
2. For hemorrhoids, take internally a pinch of saffron, ¼ teaspoon of triphala and 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel 2 times a day.
3. For relief from some of the symptoms of asthma and cough, mix a pinch of saffron, half teaspoon of trikatu and 1 teaspoon of honey. Take this 2 or 3 times a day.
4. For heart palpitation and chest pain, boil half cup each of milk and water, 2 pinches of saffron and half teaspoon of arjuna. Drink this 2 or 3 times a day.
5. As a brain tonic, try drinking a pinch of saffron and half teaspoon of brahmi (gotu kola), boiled in 1 cup of milk.
6. Rosewater and saffron water – soak a pinch of saffron in ¼ cup of water for at least 15 minutes – diluted in distilled water to a 1 percent solution can help conjunctivitis and burning eyes. Put 2 drops in each eye.
ayurvedic_cooking_for_self_healing, 1997: p. 214