APOTHECARY
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Saffron Tincture
$33
Ingredients:
Organic Saffron, Organic Cane Alcohol
Benefits: supports memory; protects braincells; anti-aging, anti-depressant; improves mood; reduces blood pressure; antioxidant, anti-cancer; reduce PMS symptoms; increases libido; assists weight loss; increases testosterone; treats erectile dysfunction; lowers blood sugar; improves eyesight.
Saffron
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, and that’s largely because of the effort required to produce it—it takes 75,000 saffron blossoms to produce a single pound of the herb, which can cost upwards of $5,000. It’s also one of the herbs, along with myrrh, calamus, and cinnamon, that’s mentioned as one of the precious spices in the Songs of Solomon.
Saffron occurs in folk medicine across many cultures, and its uses range from treating fevers and colds to spasms and insomnia. The ancient Greeks used it for healing wounds and relieving upper respiratory complains, whereas the Egyptians primarily used it to address gastrointestinal problems. Ayurvedic medicine recommends it for use as an expectorant and to treat asthma, as well as for its adaptogenic properties.
Modern studies of Saffron mostly focus on its ability to elevate one’s mood, increase libido, and improve memory. Most recently, some studies have found it to be as effective for treating depression as many mainstream anti-depressants, including Prozac and Celexa, but without the side effects.
Saffron is an herb that invigorates and strengthens the entire body, supports healthy brain aging, and promotes a balanced mood. It helps protect brain cells against oxidative stress and reduces inflammation throughout the body. It is high in antioxidants, which help the body neutralize free-radicals, and also contains anticancer properties. It is said that even just smelling saffron can help alleviate PMS symptoms.
It is also a particularly effective aphrodisiac for people suffering from low libido due to anti-depressant use, both in men and women. It can improve erectile function and overall sexual satisfaction, and for women, it can reduce sex-related pain and increase sexual desire and lubrication.
The list of benefits really go on: recent studies suggest it can be effective in treating everything from coronary artery disease to hypertension and dysmenorrhea. It’s actively being used in studies to help with learning and memory impairment. It increases glutamate and dopamine levels in the brain in a dose-dependent manner, and interacts with the opioid system to reduce withdrawal symptoms for people getting off of opiates.