Macular Health Research

Saffron

Saffron (Crocus Sativus) is a bulbous perennial of the iris family, grown in Spain, South West Asian and Iran¹. The medicinal applications of saffron have been widely noted, with its use in folk remedies for the treatment of many disease. The stigmas of the saffron flower contain many chemical substances- such as carbohydrates, minerals, Vitamins (riboflavin & thiamine) and pigments such as crocin, anthocianin, carotene, lycopene, zigantin, flavonoids, amino acids, proteins, starch and gums.

 More recently, the use of saffron for eye health has become an important direction in the prevention and treatment of macular part of retina.    Saffron is  good for eyes due to the unique chemical compounds found in the spice. Specifically, the compounds crocin and safranal, which belong to the carotenoid family, are believed to assist sight regeneration.