Saffron Purple Petals: A New Phytomedicine for Health, Wealth, & Wisdom
Introduction Crocus sativus (saffron) has numerous historical uses that date back over three millennia. From ancient Egypt, to the Greco-Romans, the phytotherapeutic actions of saffron have been sought out across time and space. Indeed, even the etymology of ‘phyto’, which means ‘of a plant’ or ‘relating to plants’, is derived from the Greek root ‘phuein’—’come into being’—and ‘phuton’—’a plant’. Therefore, the phytochemistry and phytotherapeutic uses of a plant describe the chemical compounds that are found in the plant (primary and secondary metabolites), as well as the medicinal applications on the human body. As of 2019, and for those who would like a more extensive report on the phytochemistry of C. sativus and other C. spp., see (Mykhailenko et al.). Below is a brief literature review on the general phytochemistry and phytotherapeutic uses of saffron petals. Why Saffron Petals? Saffron petals have anti-oxidative qualities from rich sources…