Although the popularity of Lycium barbarum is extremely high, it does not prevent the sudden emergence of dark horses. Saffron, known as "gold in flowers", is not only rare, but also rare. Its health care value is extremely high, but its output is very low, which is entirely due to the harsh living environment of crocus sativus, which makes it one of the most valuable Chinese herbal medicines.
First, the origin of saffron
Crocus sativus, also known as crocus sativus, is a perennial flower of Crocus in Iris family and a common spice.
Although there is the word "Tibetan" in the name, its early origin should be traced back to ancient Greece, when there were traces of artificial cultivation. With the rising of western empires, saffron began to settle in Iran, Turkey, Spain and other countries, mainly in the Mediterranean, Europe and East Asia, and was introduced to China in the Ming Dynasty.
The bulb of crocus sativus is oblate and spherical, with a diameter of about 3 cm. The flowers are mostly light blue, reddish purple or white. The crocus we eat is the stamen, not the flower itself.
The saffron seen in the market is picked from three styles of flowers, which also means that the yield is low and can only be picked manually. A worker needs to work for 20 hours to collect a catty of saffron and pinch off 50,000 to 75,000 styles. Because the flowering period is short, it is expensive.
The style of saffron is linear, with a wide top and a tapering tail. There are irregular teeth at the edge of the root tip, which are mostly dark reddish brown and slightly shiny. Light weight, soft texture, fragile and easy to break after drying. After the stigma is put into water, it expands, and it can be seen that the orange-yellow line drops and gradually spreads, and the water is dyed yellow.
Second, the value of saffron
Many people have heard that the name of saffron coexists with drugs such as musk in costume dramas. It is not suitable for pregnant women because it has the function of breaking blood and promoting qi circulation, and can make pregnant women slip their tires, but it can be used to replenish blood after delivery.
1, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis
Compendium of Materia Medica once recorded that crocus sativus can "promote blood circulation, treat depression and treat convulsion". Modern pharmacological research has proved that crocus sativus can improve the blood circulation of human blood vessels, enhance the ability of myocardial blood supply and oxygen supply, and expand coronary blood flow, which has a good effect on maintaining vascular health and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
2, detoxification and beauty
Because saffron can promote the blood circulation of human body, it can also remove the garbage in the body and enhance the immune ability of cells. Once the toxins in the body are removed, people's skin will naturally improve. Therefore, drinking some saffron tea for female friends can have a good skin care and beauty effect, and can also relieve irregular menstruation caused by endocrine disorders.
3. Seasoning and seasoning
The pungent golden stigma of saffron is very precious and can also be used for food seasoning and coloring. In the Mediterranean, Britain, Scandinavia and the Balkans, it is used for coloring and seasoning bread, and is also an important component of French stewed fish.