Saffron. Red gold.

Avicenna (Ibn Sina) said about it (text from the Canon of Medicine): "Saffron is a hot and dry substance of the second degree. It strengthens the heart, clears the complexion, gladdens the soul and mind, aids digestion, and dispels melancholy. In small doses, it is excellent for calming coughs, improving breathing, and acting as a mild sedative. But in large quantities, it can cause confusion, nervous disorders, even convulsions, and it is dangerous in pregnant women because it can cause contractions. It is also used to treat eye disorders by local application."

According to ancient medical practices, it was used as eye drops (mixed with diluted honey, rose water, chamomile or myrrh) to calm irritations, reduce inflammation and promote the healing of certain eye conditions.

In several ancient traditions, saffron was sometimes used to gently rub babies' gums to relieve teething pain (it was diluted in honey).

Saffron is also a natural anxiolytic and reduces symptoms of depression.

It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines).

It may be beneficial in hormonal support as it helps relieve premenstrual symptoms.

Among its other benefits, it stimulates digestive juices, thus facilitating the breakdown of food. Its carminative effect reduces intestinal gas, bloating and abdominal cramps.

Saffron also interacts with many neurotransmitters. It has a serotonin reuptake inhibition effect. It increases the production of BDNF (brain neurotrophic factor), a brain protein that helps with neuronal plasticity, neuron growth, and the survival of existing ones. Basically, BDNF plays a key role in cognitive health, memory, learning, and recovery from brain injuries.

One of its other added values on neurotransmitters is its effect on GABA receptors. And what is GABA? If you had to remember only one thing about it, it would be that it is a regulator of the central nervous system (brain) and enteric (intestinal). It regulates the sympathetic nervous system (autonomic). In addition, a lack of GABA can induce concentration difficulties (because it is also known for its sedative and muscle relaxant effects), depression, anxiety linked to an imbalance between inhibitory neurotransmitters (like GABA) and excitatory ones but also sleep disorders, panic attacks. In some cases epileptic seizures because GABA inhibits excessive nerve discharges.

Also knowing that the amount of GABA in the intestine is greater in overall mass than that in the brain and that this enteric nervous system (in the intestines) controls intestinal motility, secretion and visceral sensitivity, GABA therefore acts as an inhibitory and regulatory neurotransmitter to modulate these functions. An imbalance of the latter can lead to hyperexcitability of enteric neurons (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome).

The causes of Gaba deficiency are: chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, dysbiosis, intestinal infection, medications or toxins, stress and nutritional deficiencies.

All this also disrupts the central nervous system because the enteric communicates with it constantly through neuromessengers carried by the vagus nerve.

It is therefore important to control stress to avoid a vicious circle and saffron can be a formidable tool in a global and multifactorial approach to "repair" if added to a real dietary rebalancing.

For example: (to be adapted according to profile and the agreement of a naturopath or functional doctor)

-Sanitation protocol (antibacterial, antifungal and deworming) if necessary (and very often this is the case)

-Stop refined sugars, processed foods and foods that cause inflammation.

-GABA is synthesized from "Glutamate" (found in proteins). Certain bacteria (lactobacillus and bifidobacterium) can also produce GABA. These bacteria are favored by lactofermented foods, kefir, etc. (to be introduced gradually to rebalance the intestinal flora).

-Remineralization (e.g. Quinton water) + VITAMIN D, A (for mucous membranes) and those of group B + ZINC or ZINC carnosine (if leaking intestine)

-Complete hormonal and digestive assessment.

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