Kesar in Ayurveda In India saffron is cultivated in Kashmir and when it is flowering it fills the fields with a fantastic red

glow. It is a small perennial growing to about 20cm with violet leaves and each flower producing three stamens. It takes about 160 flowers to produce 1g of dried saffron. Think gynaecology, blood, heart and reproduction when using saffron. ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Pungent, bitter Vi-rya (energy) Hot Vipa-ka (post-digestive effect) Pungent Gun.a (quality) Light, unctuous Dos.a effect VPK=, VKDha-tu (tissue) All tissues, especially blood and reproductive Srotas (channel) Female reproductive, reproductive, digestive CONSTITUENTS Volatile oil Cineol, isophorone, safranal Glycosides Crocin, picrocrocin, lycopene b-carotene Fixed oil AYURVEDIC ACTION Di-pana Increases the digestive fire Pa-cana Digestive Varn. ya Improves the complexion Kus t haghna Alleviates skin diseases S onitastha-pana Alleviates bleeding Sirorogajit Alleviates headaches Vamanakara Stops vomiting Yogava- hi- Catalyst to other medicines Rasa-yana Rejuvenative Va- ji-karan.a Aphrodisiac Pa-n. d. ughna Alleviates anaemia BIOMEDICAL ACTION Emmenagogue, nervine, circulatory stimulant, antianginal, diuretic INDICATIONS Gynaecology It has a nourishing effect on rasa dhatu and an invigorating action on the blood. This

can help to bring on delayed menses and increase the flow. It is also used in dysmenorrhoea. It is a wonderful tonic herb that nourishes the deeper tissues. Use with any fertility problems with sukra dhatu deficiency or obstruction. Anaemia Its affinity for the blood and rakta dhatu is complemented by its ability to increase haemoglobin levels. This connection with the blood helps alleviate other symptoms that can arise from anaemia such as heart conditions with pain and liver congestion. Heart Its positive effects on rasa and rakta dhatu actively encourages blood flow through the circulatory system. It is indicated in angina and cardiac congestion. Reproduction It is a renowned aphrodisiac herb that can help treat impotence and low libido. It rejuvenates the sukra dhatu and nourishes the reproductive tissues. Nerves Its nourishing effects subtly feed the nervous and reproductive tissues indicating its use for debilitating and degenerative diseases. Use when there is vata disturbance, depression, majja dhatu deficiency and general nervous debility. Urine It goes directly to mutravahasrotas and a cold infusion is beneficial for painful urination. External As a paste it helps to alleviate discoloration of the skin, acne and eczema. It can also be applied to the forehead to clear headaches caused by vata and cold. COMBINATIONS * Turmeric, ginger, myrrh in amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea. * Amalaki, ashwagandha in anaemia. * Arjuna and punarnava in heart conditions. * Shatavari, ashwagandha, kapikacchu for the reproductive system. * Brahmi, gotu kola, jatamansi for nervous disorders. SAFFRON Common name Saffron (E), Kesar (H) Sanskrit Kun a Latin Crocus sativus Stigmata (Iridaceae) PART 2 * Gokshura, licorice for painful urination.

kuma, Ghusr n

CONTRAINDICATIONS Pregnancy, as it stimulates the flow of blood in the uterus. SAFETY No drug herb interactions are known. DOSAGE 100 250mg per day (1 5 strands). NOTES Saffron is also known as ghusrina as it is sacred to Ghrishneshvara, Lord Shiva. It is a very sattvic herb; its action on the blood and the heart encourages compassion and love. It is best extracted by soaking in warm milk and should be taken raw, not boiled.