Saffron -Crocus sativus Linn
Family: Iridaceae
English name: Saffron
Kashmiri: Kung
Habitat : Dry raised slopes
Distribution : Native of S. Europe and west Asia. Cultivated in Kashmir.
Botinical features: Corms of walnut size with fibrous scales remaining upto 30 cm deep in soil. Flowers stalkless with a long slender corolla tube and 6 equal perianth lobes of deep blue-violet colour. Stamens 3; style 3-lobed deep brick-red.
Medicinal uses: Saffron is highly valued spice and colouring agent often cited folk remedy for various types of cancers e.g. tumors of abdomen, bladder, ear, eye, kidney, spleen, stomach and tonsils. It is used as a nervine sedative and given in fevers, melancholia and enlargement of Liver.
Chemical composition: Saffron contains: 12.6% protein, 4.7% fixed oil, 0.8% volatile oil, 57.3% N-free extract, 12.0% starch equivalent, 4.9% fibres and 4.9% fibres and 4.0% ash. Saffron contains a mixture of yellow glycosides, crocin yields gentiobiose and crocetin
Other uses: Dye obtained from flower petals is used to flavour and colour food material. Corms have been used as scarcity food.
Crocus sativus Linn corms are available at:
JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com
