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Saffron [crocus sativus] = Karkom

Saffron [crocus sativus] has many names in the various languages:

Safran, saffron, zafferano, azafran , komar-romar.
Known in Jewish sources as Karkom.[not kurkum, which is
turmeric]

More expensive then platina, but worth it! The pistils [the female
reproductive part of a flower] are used.
Each flower has only 3 pistils and for 30 gram of saffron one needs
some 5000 flowers [15000 pistils ]
A wonderful spice known since biblical times: every day we
mention in the prayers when saying the korbanot [offerings]
in"pitum ha-ketoret" the word karkom together with the other
spices.
English website about ketoret:http://www.betemunah.
org/ketoret.html

Further mentioned in shir ha-shirim [Song of Songs]

Saffron is very well known in Spain where it is used in dishes called
paella where the saffron gives the dish a golden colour.
It is suggested that saffron may play a role in the longevity in Spain
in general.
The Italian dish risotto Milanese is also well known., as well as the
French bouillabaisse.[may contain not kosher see food]
Saffron can be bought as red-gold threads in little bags or as a
powder.
As it easily can be adulterated with cheaper yellow spies like
turmeric [curcum] it is wise not to buy it in powder form.
The quality can vary tremendously and this is not the place to
discuss this subject, and also not to the very long fascinating
history of this spice.
Two of the clearest modern uses of saffron are the treatment for a
wide variety of cancers.[colon cancer, ovarium cancer, also
leukaemia, and even sarcoma.] and for the treatment of
depressions. Nowadays it is also highly recommended for the
prevention/treatment of macular degeneration.

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I would strongly advise anybody who is under oncological

treatment to add saffron to their daily meals.
Already from old, it has been described as "refreshing the spirits"
[culpepper]
High doses [even from1.5 gram and certainly 5 gram or more]
should not be used as these can be toxic and also can cause
abortions.
Nobody will likely do this as it is far too expensive!
A nice Dutch book writes humoristically that if you take to much
saffron you may "die" from happiness ......]
Culpepper [17 the century] write that is is good for hysterical
depression [ an old term, not used nowadays][see also the very end
of this article]
Whenever the word "hysteria" is used in older writing it also means
that there is an influence on the female organs [uterus], so saffron
has been used for various menstrual problems. It has a balancing
effect on the periods.
If the menstruation does not comes "smoothly" you may use
it especially “when the blood is black, viscid, clotting, forming itself
into long black strings” (Clarke, 1900, 607).[Wood]
In normal small amounts, it can be used during pregnancy without
dangers.
Culpepper also mentions it further for cough, lung problems and
digestive problems["strengthens the stomach"]
Very useful for children with fever, abdominal cramps[ infantile
colic], against restlessness during teething,[ just a few threads for a
cup of tea.
Because of the yellow-reddish pistils, it was of course also used for
jaundice.[doctrine/colour analogy]

Patents have been developed for compounds which are found in

saffron for the treatment of spinal cord injuries and even for
cerebral oedema in cats
The same has been true for the treatment of blood vessels damage
and high blood fats [lipids].

Even if these are animal experiments it is quite likely that using

saffron [instead of the patented compounds] may have sort like
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effects in human beings, especially when saffron is known to be

"mood lifting", which is not a bad thing for heart and vessel
problems.
Also for more functional problems like nervous heart palpitations, it
will for sure be a good idea.
Saffron also has been highly prized as an aphrodisiac.

Saffron tea has been used in the past for children with measles [a
real proven grandmother remedy] and also during various epidemic
infections like smallpox, the last mentioned was eradicated from the
earth in 1979 by one of the most successful [ vaccination ]
campaigns in the history of medicine.
[ please, also see the article I sent to you [ if you are on my mailing
list] about measles and the very important issue of taking high
doses of vitamin A if a child get measles ]

Whereas every food, spice etc may be good for one person with a
certain constitution, it may be less appropriate for another one with
another constitution.

Saffron is considered to be good for all constitutions/doshas [vata,

pitta,kapha] in the traditional medical system of India [so called
Ayurveda ]
To give two more examples in this connection of doshas: cumin
and fennel also work positively on all constitutions according to
Ayurveda [good for everybody]
Ginger, as well as other spices, are very important but may not be
good for everybody [they will certainly not cause "damage", but
certain people may do less well of with them]
Something about the quality: the pistils [the "threads"] should
bebright orange-red if it is of high quality.The redder, the better!
Should not have any yellow in it.

If the saffron is used in cooking it is often added at the end of the

cooking process.
It is best to steep a pinch or so of the saffron in a cup of hot
waterfor at least 20 minutes beforehand [longer is even better]. This
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amount will be enough for 1/2 kg of rice.

Don't take out the pistils[the threads, don't sieve!!], add it all to the
cooking dish.
If the saffron is artificially coloured the water will get red directly,
this a sign of falsification [artificial colouring]
Another idea of amounts to be used:1/4 gram may be enough for a
dish for 6 persons.
And at last: for coffee lovers: add some cardamon and some
saffron to your cup of coffee.
It may help prevent palpitations even for the "most sensitive ones"
between you.

To end with an unbelievable story [but this can be the power of

homoeopathy from the famous Clark:
On one occasion, in hospital, I happened to see a young girl who was really
desperately ill with heart failure and valvular disease, in a fit of hysterical
laughter. This made me think of Crocus. The only definite sensation she
complained of in the heart region was a "jumping" sensation. Crocus 30 was
given, and very soon she was able to lie down flat (after having been propped up
for weeks), and from that time she made a rapid recovery

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