Safflower (Chinese name: Honghua, or Carthami flos) and Saffron (Chinese name: Xihonghua, or Croci stigma), time-honored traditional Chinese herbs, are potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of COVID-19, researchers say. Traditional Chinese medicine Honghua, also known as Safflower or Carthami flos. (Shutterstock) A recent study found that safflower and saffron can stop cells from being…

The exotic spice saffron, long-honored and known for being the most expensive spice in the world because of the labor involved in harvesting it, also is known for more. Saffron has potent powers for supporting and promoting brain health and boosting mood.  What Is Saffron? Saffron is harvested by hand from the saffron crocus or Crocus…

As baby boomers mature en masse, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is on the rise. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 and older. It affects more than 10 million people in the United States, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. Fortunately, an ancient spice offers some protection. The macula is…

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and for good reason. Evidence suggests this unique and costly spice may have a significant impact on the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Saffron is harvested from the stigma of Crocus sativus, a perennial plant belonging to the iris family. The flower has…

Years ago, I covered a head-to-head comparison of saffron versus Prozac for the treatment of depression and saffron seemed to work just as well as the drug. In the years since, five other studies have found that saffron beat out placebo or rivaled antidepressant medications. It may be the spice’s red pigment, crocin, since that alone beat out placebo as an…