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Saffron (Kumkuma)

Kuṅkuma कुङ्कुम

Crocus sativus · Iridaceae

Common: Saffron · Zafraan

herb stigma ushna cultivated
Saffron (Kumkuma)

Rasa-Panchaka — five-fold pharmacology

Rasa
tikta · katu · madhura— tastes at first contact
Guna
laghu · snigdha— qualities
Virya
ushna— potency (heating)
Vipaka
katu— post-digestive effect
Prabhava
Varnya supreme — the queen of complexion-improving herbs
MadhuraAmlaLavanaKatuTiktaKashaya
The six classical tastes (Ṣaḍ-rasa)

Dosha effect

V
Vata
↓pacifies
P
Pitta
↓pacifies
K
Kapha
↓pacifies
pacifies (↓) aggravates (↑) neutral (·)

Functions

varnya — complexion-supremeanti-Vyangaanti-pigmentpigment-impartingluxury

The queen ingredient of Ayurvedic cosmetics. Saffron is the namesake of Kumkumadi Tailam and the hero of every premium classical face oil.

Pharmacology

  • Crocin (apocarotenoid pigment) — tyrosinase inhibitor, antioxidant
  • Picrocrocin — bitter aglycone with anti-inflammatory action
  • Safranal — the aromatic compound, photoprotective in vitro

Cosmetic uses

  • Kumkumadi-family face oils — 0.5-1 % saffron at the end of cooking (added after cooling below 50 °C to preserve crocin)
  • Spot lepas for melasma — 5-6 strands of saffron + 5 ml warm milk + honey, applied to spots
  • Anulepa perfume — saffron-infused jojoba at 5 %

Sourcing

Use Kashmiri Mongra or Iranian Sargol. Premium grade has long, deep-red, intact stigmas. Avoid powdered “saffron” (often adulterated with turmeric, safflower, marigold). Test: 5 strands in warm water should give yellow-orange colour in 5 minutes; the stigmas should not dissolve.

Used in 12 recipes

churna Classical Tridoshic Ubtan
Tridoṣa-hara Udvartana · त्रिदोषहर उद्वर्तन
face · body

daily soap replacement; skin brightening.

tridoshic