| Saffron, a well known spice used to give a unique | | | | in this case, depression. Depression affects all age |
| flavor and a vivid yellow color to many dishes has | | | | groups but increases in incidence with age. In other |
| been used for centuries in traditional medical systems | | | | words we can include it with other diseases |
| to treat depression and other illnesses. Recently a | | | | associated with the aging process; such as |
| number of clinical trials have shown that this spice is | | | | cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, |
| as effective as fluoxetine (Prozac) and imipramine in | | | | Parkinson's disease, cancer and others. |
| the treatment of mild to moderate depression. | | | | There is some scientific evidence that saffron, like |
| The spice saffron is a yellow powder derived from | | | | many other other spices, may also help to prevent |
| the stigmata (styles) of the flowering bulb Crocus | | | | and treat certain cancers. Saffron contains the |
| sativa. It is cultivated on a commercial basis primarily | | | | compound safranal and many antioxidants such as |
| in Iran and to a lesser extent in India, Spain and a | | | | carotenoids and other compounds common to other |
| few other countries. Prior to the advent of cheaper, | | | | spices that have been shown to have anti-cancer |
| synthetic food colorings, saffron was also grown in | | | | properties. |
| other European countries including England. | | | | Countless studies have shown that spices can help |
| Although several other spices have demonstrated the | | | | prevent and treat most age related diseases. To a |
| potential to prevent and treat several neurological | | | | large extent it is those spice-based compounds |
| diseases saffron is the first to be tested as a | | | | responsible for their strong colors and flavors that |
| treatment of depression in clinical trials. | | | | protect us against many of the underlying disease |
| The recent clinical studies on patients with depression | | | | processes common to these conditions. |
| were conducted by doctors at the Tehran University | | | | Humans evolved eating strongly colored, intensely |
| of Medical Sciences. The double-blind, placebo | | | | flavored, bitter, sour, "spicy" foods. Therefore it |
| controlled trials compared the effects of 30 mg per | | | | should come as no surprise to us that it is primarily in |
| day of saffron powder to those of normal doses of | | | | spices that a vast repository of therapeutic |
| two common anti-depressant drugs, fluoxetine and | | | | phytonutrients exists to help us combat depression |
| imipramine. In all three clinical trials they found that | | | | and other neurological and degenerative diseases. |
| saffron was at least as effective as these two | | | | If we add more spices such as saffron to our meals |
| commonly used anti-depressant drugs in combating | | | | we will not only be happier with the enhanced flavor |
| mild to moderate depression. | | | | but the compounds in these tasty additives should |
| This latest research shows that we have yet | | | | also put more zest into our day and help us to avoid |
| another spice that can help with a neurological illness - | | | | a visit to the psychotherapist. |