When it comes to pregnancy advice, there won’t be a single home in India that won’t have its own. Especially in case of pregnancy diets, Indian families have their own tried and tested diets that they recommend to women of their families. However there are certain things that are standard practice at every house. Saffron falls into this later category. Every experienced mom in India recommends the intake of saffron during pregnancy. Ayurveda also recommends it, our very own Indian medication system, which is, consider safe by everyone around.
What Saffron & what is it called scientifically?
Scientific name of Saffron is Crocus sativus. These are orangeish red coloured threads derived from the saffron flower. It is commonly known as Kesar in India, which is used in various sweets and other dishes. Saffron is a high priced spice because during the harvesting season, this royal spice is picked by hand and since its very small in size, a huge amount needs to be handpicked to make a small bunch of saffron.
Now let’s see the key benefits that come with the use of Saffron During Pregnancy.
What are Benefits Of Saffron During Pregnancy?
#1. Nausea or morning sickness is a very big problem during pregnancy. It happens to almost every mom to be. Intake of saffron can help you prevent the same.
#2. As per Ayurveda, using saffron during pregnancy gives fair color to your baby. It improves the completion by clearing the skin internally. Best way is to mix Saffron in milk and take it.
#3. Cold is a common problem during pregnancy and the reason is various hormonal changes that circles inside the body of the pregnant woman. Saffron provides comfort from it cold. It heals and prepares the body to fight from cough and running nose.
#4. Intake of saffron during the eighth and ninth month of pregnancy is highly recommended and the reason is saffron acts as a hormone named oxytocin, which is an effective muscles relaxant. This is very effective in preparing the pregnant woman’s body for delivery. It eases childbirth and simplifies complications of any kind that could come up.
#5. Saffron during pregnancy is a great help from indigestion. You might have head about digestion related problem during pregnancy and it’s very common. Saffron is a big support in this. It helps in improving the blood circulation to a great extent.
#6. This amazing spice comforts your mood swings. Again hormonal imbalances inside the body of mom to be juggles with her mood way too much. Saffron’s has an antidepressant action that tackles them and gives back a smiling face to you.
#7. Saffron is a rich source of Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants along with active components like crocin, safranal and carotenoids are found in high quantities in. All of them are helpful in improving your immune system during pregnancy, which again is affected during those nine months.
#8. Saffron during pregnancy acts as a healer. The pain killing aspects of this spice is effective in getting rid of body pains and improving strength of your muscles and bones. You obvious need that support during pregnancy.
#9. Saffron also saves you from diabetes and cancer like chronic diseases as well.
#10. Increase in blood pressure is a common problem of pregnancy and intake of saffron helps in keeping it under control.
#11. Hair fall is another very common problem that you can face during pregnancy. The major reason behind is the hormonal misbalance that keeps going around. Intake of saffron can save you from it too.
Is it safe to have Saffron during pregnancy?
Intake of moderate quantity of saffron during pregnancy is absolutely safe. In fact it can bring various benefits also to your body with it’s internal healing effects. But keep your intake limited and increase of it’s intake can lead to side effects of many kind.
What are side effects of Saffron during pregnancy?
Increased intake of anything can lead to problems and the same happens if you increase the intake of Saffron during pregnancy.
Harmful Side effects of Saffron during pregnancy
Increased intake of Saffron during pregnancy can lead to your uterus’s contraction, which is the last thing that should happen. It can also trigger complications of early labor.
Humans have not been tested of course but a scientific research done on rats has shown defects in the rat’s newborns, which certainly proves that the same could happen in human babies.
Saffron can be taken in very limited quantities by the breastfeeding mom but make sure to have moderate intake only as there has been no scientific researches around the same so it’s a difficult topic to comment on.
Best ways to include Saffron in your pregnancy diet?
- Mix small quantity of saffron in milk and have it. This is a very known way of having it. This has been going on from ages in our country.
- Another great way would be sprinkle a small amount of it on the dishes you prepare at home.
- Add saffron in custard that you can easily prepare at home.
- Sprinkle small amount of saffron on Biryani or pulao.
- A small quantity of saffron would be amazing in kheer.
- You can also have saffron in halwa or sweet colored rice, which are very commonly prepared in India on basant panchmi.
- If you making gulab jamun at home, adding saffron on it can also enhance the flavor.
- Saffron infused tea is also a great way of having it.
What is the recommended quantity intake of Saffron during pregnancy?
An ideally recommended quantity for intake of Saffron is limited within .5 to 1 gram per day. It is advisable to remain within the same is you wish to get its benefits.
When is the ideal time to start Saffron during pregnancy?
There is no definite time to begin its intake. Normally women start around seventh or eighth month and very common time is the ninth month as it’s helpful in easing out childbirth. But you can begin its intake before too.
Conclusion
Before including anything in your diet, it’s always better to discuss with your doctor. Their advice matters the most since the doctors know what’s going on inside your body and what might complicate it. So, even before starting the intake of saffron during pregnancy, we’ll advice you to check with your doctor and include only based on his opinion.