Hum Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Recent studies show that saffron may play a valuable role in delaying mental decline in cases of Alzheimer?s disease. The world?s most expensive spice by weight, saffron is the stigmas of a variety of crocus flower. Stigmas are thread-like female reproductive parts of the flower. In the case of saffron, the stigmas are brilliant red or orange, and have been used since antiquity in cooking and in medicinal preparations. The spice was popular in ancient Egypt and in Rome, and was cultivated in both places. Originating from central Asia, saffron is commercially cultivated primarily in the Mediterranean region. This is a highly labor-intensive spice, typically requiring more than 100,000 flowers to yield one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of dried saffron spice. Two studies, one published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the other published in the journal Psychopharmacology, show that saffron can help sufferers of mild to moderate Alzheimer?s disease to maintain better overall mental function. In both studies, patients were given 30 mg daily of saffron. In one study, the patients were monitored for 16 weeks, and in the other study they were monitored for 22 weeks. Using standard tests for cognitive function, researchers were able to show that the use of saffron provides benefits to Alzheimer?s patients, and that those who took the saffron fared better mentally than those who did not. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted November 5, 2010 Member Share Posted November 5, 2010 Good news for Alzheimer suffers. Since this is an expensive spice, does that mean this treatment will also be expensive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted November 5, 2010 Author Share Posted November 5, 2010 ^ It will be, if big pharma has it's way. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserk87 Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Good news for Alzheimer suffers. Since this is an expensive spice, does that mean this treatment will also be expensive? its not expensive. there is just a huge amount of markup on it. If it was going into medicines it wouldn't be $10 a pill like a bottle of saffron is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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