Date Published: 7 April 2020

American Botanical Council announce adoption of Saffron via Adopt-an-Herb Program

The American Botanical Council (ABC) has announced¹ that Madrid-based Pharmactive Biotech Products, SL, has adopted saffron (Crocus sativus) through ABC's Adopt-an-Herb program. By participation in this scheme Pharmactive², is helping ABC to expand its nonprofit educational mission and to maintain its HerbMedPro³ database that makes available the latest scientific research about these botanical sources online.

Notes about saffron from ABC

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an an autumn-flowering perennial also known as saffron crocus and autumn crocus⁴. The main part of the plant that is used medicinally is the dried stigma. It has been estimated that 50,000–75,000 Crocus sativus plants are required to produce about 1 pound of saffron^4,5. With only three stigmas per plant, saffron is among the most expensive spices in the world. It is used as a food additive due to its aroma, color, and bitter taste, as well as in various systems of traditional medicine. It has not been reported in the wild but is thought to descend from wild saffron (C. cartwrightianus).

Saffron's stigmas contain volatile and non-volatile compounds, including terpenes and their esters and carotenoids, all of which are responsible for saffron's color and taste. The petals, which are used less often in medicinal preparations, contain glycosides of the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol.

Human cultivation and use of saffron has occured over more than 3,500 years, spanning cultures, continents, and civilizations. For example, saffron has been used in the traditional medicines of Egypt, Greece, India, and Persia, where it was used to treat conditions including respiratory disorders, painful urination, and mood disorders (mental health).

Modern uses of saffron include cognitive function and mood support. Some human clinical trials have compared the effects of saffron preparations to leading conventional pharmaceutical drugs used for Alzheimer's disease and mild-to-moderate depression. Other promising areas of research for saffron extracts focus on its anti-inflammatory actions for reproductive health, glaucoma and macular degeneration, and weight loss and exercise. [Notes about saffron based on¹ with variation.]

Pharmactive Biotech Products, SL, decision to adopt Crocus sativus

" Pharmactive is more than pleased to adopt one of the most fascinating and valued plants in the world," said Pharmactive Founder and CEO Jean-Marie Raymond.

" Saffron is helping millions of people around the world maintain a positive mood, manage anxiety, and get restorative sleep every day. The excellent safety profile of saffron makes it perfect for different stages of life, including the elderly and adolescents."

Mark Blumenthal, ABC's Founder and Executive Director, said:

" ABC is deeply grateful to our friends at Pharmactive for adopting saffron on ABC's powerful HerbMedPro database. Saffron is a traditional spice, often considered the most expensive in the world. The past decade has witnessed a virtual explosion of scientific and clinical research on the effects of saffron extracts on the human central nervous system, including its positive effects for people with mild-to-moderate depression."

More about ABC's Adopt-an-Herb Program
This scheme¹ enables companies, groups or individuals to 'adopt' one or more specific herbs in the HerbMedPro database. So far 73 herbs have been adopted by a total of 65 adopters. This supports ABC's work to gather, organize, and disseminate information about herbs, medicinal plants, and other botanical- and fungal-based ingredients in use throughout the world. The American Botanical Council is an independent research and education organization. Herb adopters do not influence the scientific information that is compiled. IvyRose reported on the adoption of garlic and artichoke by Neem Biotech and the adoption of lavender in June and December 2019 respectively.

Sources and further information:

1. Press release from the American Botanical Council, on cms.herbalgram.org/press/2020cms.herbalgram.org/press, dated 7 April 2020.
2. For more information see pharmactive.eu
3. HerbMedPro is available to ABC members at the academic level and beyond while the public access version herbmed.org is available to everyone free of charge.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus_sativus
5. Tony Hill, "The Contemporary Encyclopedia of Herbs and Spices: Seasonings for the Global Kitchen" Aff, 1st Ed., Pub. Wiley (2004).

See also:

• Saffron: Science, Technology and Health Aff,
• Secrets of Saffron: The Vagabond Life of the World's Most Seductive Spice Aff and
• Saffron (Crocus sativus): Production and Processing Aff.

News items are prepared using data and material available up to the date indicated. IvyRose might receive commission on sales of products featured on this page. 7 April 2020.