Saffron is a herb most well known for its culinary uses. However, it is also known to have a number of medicinal properties. A large body of evidence suggests that saffron is useful in the treatment of mood disorders and stress-related ill health. This might make it particularly suitable for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder, a form of anxiety. In particular, post traumatic stress disorder is a form of anxiety that involves fear conditioning. One study investigated the effects of a saffron extract on a model of post traumatic stress disorder in rats. Administration of saffron was significantly able to reduce the post traumatic stress disorder-type behaviour in the rats as well as attenuate detrimental changes to the brains of the animals. In particular, detrimental changes to the amygdala were attenuated by the saffron. Saffron may therefore provide significant protection from the development of post traumatic stress disorder, perhaps because of the antioxidants that it contains.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
