Saffron Essay

A REVIEW ON SAFFRON AS AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY IN MEDICINE AND DERMATOLOGY.
Arathi R Krishnan*, Jiji Mathew, Salwa Abdul Salam, Jiju V, Elessy Abraham
Nazareth College Of Pharmacy, Othera, Kerala
ABSTRACT
Saffron is a spice derived from flower Crocus sativus L. ,is an herbaceous perennial -cormous plant which is believed to show many pharmacological actions. The plant contains important constituents like crocetin, picrocrocin, safranal (main component for characteristic aroma). Safranal is the aglycon of picrocrocin; those are responsible for many pharmacological actions. In ayurveda, saffron is used to cure chronic diseases such as asthma, arthritis, skin diseases, spasmodic disorders, digestive disorders,

Blend this in the morning with fingers and apply on the affected area. This will lighten the tan effectively. It has the added benefit of glow to skin as well. CONCLUSION
Given its therapeutic and economic importance, its natural abundance, in addition to its common usage in ethnic medicine, saffron provides a varied and accessible platform for phytochemical-based drug discovery. A consolidation of its traditional usage as well as its chemical and pharmacological profiles will thus guide efforts aimed at maximizing this potential. A stronger focus on clinical studies and phytochemical definition will be essential for future research efforts. Apart from its common dermatological uses it can also be an alternative for medicinal purposes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are greatly acknowledged. Sincere thanks to Missis Jiju V (Department of Pharmacognosy, Nazreth College of Pharmacy, Othera) and Dr. Elessy Abraham (Principal, Nazreth College of Pharmacy, othera) for valuable support throughout the study. Whole hearted thanks to Sergey Brin and Larry Page, founders of Google, who made this review complete.
REFERENCE
1) Zargari A. Medicinal Plant.Tehran:Tehran University Press;1990.p.574.
2) EvansWC.Trease and Evans-Pharmacognosy.China:Saunders©Elsevier Limited;