Saffron During Pregnancy – Uses, Benefits And Side Effects

Saffron during pregnancy has multiple beliefs and theories revolving around it. Saffron, the king of spices, also known as ‘Zafran’ (ज़ाफ़रान), ‘Kesar’ (केसर), ‘Koung’ or ‘Kumkumapoovu’ finds use in traditional dishes as a spice and has also made its way to be a medical supplement.

Kumkum puvvu during pregnancy is often recommended by elderly women owing to its medicinal benefits. Saffron in pregnancy has therapeutic properties and is consumed to aid digestion and improve the appetite of pregnant women. But, like with any other herb, the key to taking saffron in pregnancy is moderation. Many myths and beliefs are also associated with the consumption of saffron during pregnancy, and we will present you with the facts in this article.

In This Article

• What is Saffron?
• Uses of Saffron During Pregnancy
• Does Saffron Influence Your Child’s Complexion?
• Is it Good to Drink Milk With Saffron(Kesar) During Pregnancy?
• Top 13 Advantages of Saffron During Pregnancy
• Side Effects of Saffron During Pregnancy
• 5 Quick Tips For Choosing and Storing Saffron
• What is the Cost of Saffron?
• From Which Month Can I Have Saffron?
• Saffron Flower in Pregnancy
• FAQ’s

What is Saffron?

Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus Sativus flower, i.e. the thread-like part at the center which contains pollen. Only three strands of saffron are obtained from a single flower! Saffron traditionally involves a great deal of human labor, thus making it one of the most popular and expensive herbs across the globe.

In India, this golden herb is produced in the Kashmir valley and has always been in high demand. It is often regarded as the ‘king of spices’ and commands a huge price. Consumption of saffron is more in India.

Uses of Saffron During Pregnancy

Saffron has been diversely used from flavoring Biryani, Kheer, and other sweets to beauty creams and in health supplements. Apart from aiding digestion, saffron is possibly effective for women to get relief from menstrual discomfort and PMS.

Saffron is also recommended in cases of male infertility, asthma, erectile dysfunction, cancer baldness, etc. though no scientific evidence enlists that saffron helps combat them. However, people who have used saffron claim its efficacy and swear by its benefits.

Does Saffron Influence Your Child’s Complexion?

With traditions, come myths and one of these advocates that consumption of saffron during pregnancy leads to the fairer complexion of the baby.

Stop! Don’t gobble those precious strands! Are you aware that over-consumption of saffron – merely more than 10 gm a day can be fatal for you and your baby? There has been no research that proves having saffron and milk regularly in pregnancy leads to having a fairer baby, though there are other saffron benefits in pregnancy.

Moreover, the complexion of the baby is in no way dependent on the intake of saffron by the mother. Excessive intake of saffron can cause other complications and even miscarriage. A child’s complexion is determined by hereditary factors and genes, and anything you eat or drink will not have any effect on him or her.

Since our country has always been obsessed with being ‘fair’ and having a light complexion, many women consume saffron, hoping the child will be fair. The fact is that saffron does have a lot of medicinal benefits for pregnant women and can be consumed in moderate amounts.

Though saffron can influence skin color when used as a beauty agent, and applied on the skin, the same does not hold for an unborn baby. Take saffron to ease the discomforts caused during pregnancy, but not in the hope that the baby will turn out fair. That is the game of the genes.

[Read : Will Drinking Kesar Milk During Pregnancy Make My Baby Fair?]

Is it Good to Drink Milk With Saffron(Kesar) During Pregnancy?

It is safe to add a little amount of saffron or Kesar to milk and drink it during pregnancy- but in moderation. Because saffron is an exotic spice and has many health benefits, many people recommend drinking saffron milk during pregnancy.

Milk, again, is a great source of calcium – that you need a lot of – when you are pregnant. Adding a strand or two in your glass of milk can relax your muscles, heal you internally, improve and boost digestion, and soothe you. You can even add saffron to your meals while cooking- especially in kheers, biriyanis, and lassis.

However, drinking saffron milk to have a fair baby is largely a myth and does not hold. In large doses, saffron could stimulate the uterus and cause contractions, which may spell trouble during your pregnancy.

[Read : Drinking Milk During Pregnancy]

Top 13 Advantages of Saffron During Pregnancy

Taken in moderation, a few strands a day not exceeding 10 gm in milk or meals, it can be found useful in the following ways:

1. Busts Mood Swings

Hormonal surges during pregnancy can make you cranky and impulsive. Saffron acts as an antidepressant for those teary, gloomy days by boosting blood flow to the brain, which produces serotonin, a hormone that will raise your spirit. Next time you feel jittery about your body image, grab a bite of a saffron-dashed snack!

2. Reducing Blood Pressure

Here is how to use saffron in milk – just 3 to 4 strands of saffron in milk would help to reduce blood pressure in pregnant women. Saffron relaxes the muscles and acts as a uterine stimulant.

3. Aids Digestion

Constipation, gas and bloating are very common complaints during the gestation period. Saffron promotes blood flow to the digestive system and increases metabolism. Milk is recommended for high protein and calcium, but may not be easily digested by everyone. Saffron helps in digesting milk too.

4. Curbs Morning Sickness

These exquisite strands fight nausea and dizziness – your daily fiends during pregnancy. So ditch your usual English tea and start sipping the amazingly flavored Saffron tea!

5. Soothing

Our very own Kesar in pregnancy is a natural painkiller and has antispasmodic properties. It relaxes muscles and relieves joint/stomach pain. Say bye-bye to those pesky cramps!

6. Combats Anemia

Most women are anemic. Saffron is loaded with iron and essential for the formation of red blood cells. Regular intake of saffron in the food will boost hemoglobin in the blood.

7. Keeps Heart Diseases at Bay

With those untimely hunger pangs and food cravings for ultimate junk like cheese burst pizza or double chocolate Belgian ice cream – you cannot ignore the tons of calories and fat going in the tummy! With high antioxidants, potassium, and crocetin contents, saffron protects you and your baby’s heart by reducing cholesterol and triglycerides. In short, keeps your arteries free from fat deposits.

8. Promotes Sleep

Those are the nights spent tossing and turning or watching TV to sleep. Try having a warm cup of saffron milk or tea before bed. It works as a mild sedative.

9. Relieves Sore Gums

With your body becoming sensitive with pregnancy, brushing can become a daunting task. Grind the saffron strands and massage them on your gums to relieve pain and avoid any more blood with the brush.

10. Fights Allergies

You are more prone to allergies during pregnancy. Saffron-infused milk will soothe cough, asthma, allergies and relieve congestion. Applying the paste of sandalwood and saffron is said to bring down a fever. Go natural!

11. Aids Hair Growth

Hair fall is another concern during pregnancy. Saffron to the rescue! Apply a paste of licorice, milk, and saffron to the balding spots and see the difference!

12. Beats the Zits

With hormonal imbalance, pimples and darkened skin is nothing new. Saffron is a blood purifier and will help combat these.

13. Baby Movement

A pregnant woman can feel her baby move the moment she has a glass of saffron and milk. As the body heat increases with saffron, you can feel your baby move. However, never take large quantities of saffron and note that baby movements can be felt only after months.

Apart from these, saffron is a natural antacid. It regulates blood pressure and keeps away kidney and bladder problems. This wonder herb contains nutrients such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin A and C as well as folic acid, which are essential for you and your baby’s health.

Side Effects of Saffron During Pregnancy

Even though there are multiple benefits of Kesar during pregnancy, it’s not wise to assume that it will be best for you. Check below:

1. Miscarriages

Doctor’s advice against over 10 gm consumption of saffron per day. Saffron increases the body’s heat, which may lead to abortive conditions. It also triggers movements of the baby which are usually felt after the second trimester. It’s better to consult your obstetrician before consuming saffron. Yes, it’s that serious!

2. Allergies

If you experience dry mouth, anxiety, headache, and nausea, then you may be hypersensitive to saffron. These are simply going to complicate pregnancy.

3. Vomiting

Forced throwing up of food leads to acid disturbance in the stomach and contractions.

4. Other Serious Side Effects of Saffron Which Need Immediate Medical Attention

• Bleeding from nose, lips, eyelids
• Numbness
• Blood in urine/stools
• Feeling of vertigo, i.e. loss of balance and dizziness, blackouts
• Jaundice

5 Quick Tips For Choosing and Storing Saffron

As it is expensive, saffron has often been adulterated when sold loose or without proper packaging. Saffron is a pungent spice and buying, choosing, and storing saffron is different from that for other spices. This is so because saffron is picked and used differently than other spices. Given below are some tips that will come in handy when you are buying and storing saffron:

Tips #1: Opt For Packaged Saffron

Local Kirana shops often sell these precious strands, but because pregnancy is a delicate matter, opt for saffron that comes packed. Always buy saffron that is packaged properly, is from a good manufacturer, and carries an ISI mark. It has to be approved by the government and should be of a good brand.

Tips #2: Check the Labels

Never forget to read the label and the expiry date.

Tips #3: Look For Deep Red Color

When shopping, opt for saffron that looks deep red and dark. The darker the color, the more aromatic the spice.

Tips #4: Fresh Saffron

Go for fresh saffron strands and stay away from powders- they are much less pungent and lose their antioxidant properties.

Tips #5: Airtight Containers

Always store saffron strands in airtight containers wrapped tightly in aluminium foil to keep the spice fresh for a long.

What is the Cost of Saffron?

Saffron is an exotic spice and needs specific weather conditions to grow. Introduced in India by the Persians, saffron in India is primarily grown in Jammu and Himachal Pradesh.

Saffron is obtained from the flower Crocus Sativus, and each flower has only 3 saffron strands. Imagine how many flowers it takes to get just a pound of saffron? About 14000 strands! To get 450 grams of dry saffron 50,000–75,000 flowers need to be harvested; a kilogram requires 110,000–170,000 flowers—no wonder the spice is expensive.

As per Wikipedia, saffron prices at wholesale and retail rates range from US$500 to US$5,000 per pound or US$1,100–11,000/kg. A gram of saffron can cost anywhere from Rs. 300 to Rs. 2000. This requires no saying but do use these precious strands carefully.

From Which Month Can I Have Saffron?

Given the immense number of saffron benefits in pregnancy, pregnant women can take it from the second trimester onwards, preferably from the 4th or 5th month. The Indian science of Ayurveda advises the consumption of saffron from the fifth month onwards as that is the time when the mother can feel the baby move.

Saffron is believed to aid the baby’s movements as well. Just add a few strands of saffron in a warm glass of milk and feel the difference. You can also add some of these precious strands in cooking, but make sure that you do not exceed 10 gm on a given date.

You can add some almonds, pistachios, a little bit of cardamom, some sugar, and 4-5 strands of saffron. This milk is nutritious, filling, will aid digestion, and uplift your mood.

If you do not like milk, you can add a few strands of saffron to other side dishes or prepare rice with it. Consuming a few strands of saffron in water will aid in digestion during pregnancy.

Saffron Flower in Pregnancy

Saffron flower or kumkumapoovu flower and milk together cannot aid in having a fairer baby, but can certainly aid digestion in pregnant women, which is slow during pregnancy.

Pregnant women often suffer from gas and bloating and other problems with digestion. Kumkum puvvu during pregnancy helps in forming an extra layer to soothe gastrointestinal acidity.

You can use the antibacterial properties of saffron to down a healthy, glowing look. Blend saffron in your facial mask and experience rejuvenated, clear skin. All bodies are unique, and you might not be able to tolerate more than 4 gm. Try to get in touch with mothers during pregnancy.

So, say hello to this luxurious spice and bask in its glory but be safe! To derive optimum benefits, make sure you talk about this to your doctor who can advise you better on the consumption of saffron.

[Read : Home Remedies For Gas And Bloating During Pregnancy]

FAQ’s

1. Does Eating Saffron During Pregnancy Make the Baby Fair?

Its consumption with the anticipation of giving birth to a fair complexion baby is a belief worldwide. But there is no scientifically proven or research-driven fact attached to this belief. So, apart from this unproven fact, there are multiple other benefits encircling the usage of Kesar in pregnancy.

2. Can Saffron Cause Miscarriage?

Consumption of more than ten grams of saffron per day, can act as a uterine stimulant and result in contractions. As a result, depending on the period of pregnancy, in which the overdose of saffron is taken, the result can be either miscarriage or preterm labor. So it is advisable to have a moderate amount of saffron in pregnancy.

3. What is the Right Time to Drink Saffron Milk?

Although pregnant women can consume milk mixed with saffron anytime, the first trimester is considered as a preferable time frame for the consumption of saffron. But, as per Ayurveda, it is suggested to consume saffron milk only once the baby movement is felt, i.e around the fourth month.

4. What Are the Side Effects of Saffron?

Irrespective of its multiple benefits, there are certain saffron side effects like miscarriages, allergies, vomiting, numbness, and bleeding. In certain cases, it might also lead to jaundice, nausea, and a feeling of vertigo.

5. How to Use Saffron in Milk?

If you want to learn how to use saffron in milk in your pregnancy, then here are the steps: simply add a few strands of saffron to the warm milk and stir it properly. Allow the milk mixture to cool for just 5 to 10 minutes. And then it is ready to consume.

6. Which Brand of Saffron is Best For Pregnancy?

Here the top six brands:

• Baby Brand Saffron
• Shalimar Brand Saffron
• The Gathering Spanish
• Noor Brand Saffron
• Taj Mahal Saffron
• Satvikk Pure Saffron

Read Also: Is Drinking Turmeric Milk Safe During Pregnancy?