Uses saffron pistil and side effects for pregnant mothers

Saffron is said to be a miraculous natural miracle for pregnant women, because of its ability to promote positive emotions, as well as having good effects in fighting the unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy. But is that really the case or are there any other side effects? Let's learn the use of saffron pistil with mother elected!

Saffron has long been considered as the king of spices, used in many different dishes as well as medicinal. Many pregnant women use saffron for the purpose of coping with the feeling of stress and stomach pain during pregnancy .

However, do not think that this herb is harmless, but use indiscriminately. Using too much will cause some undesirable effects for pregnant women. Please read the following article of aFamilyToday Health to discover the great uses besides the side effects of saffron pistil on pregnancy.

What is saffron pistil?

The saffron flower is a perennial plant that produces flowers in the fall, and is well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, so Iran, Greece, Morocco and Kashmir are the capital of this flower. In fact, people mainly use the dried pistil of saffron flower (called Saffron, Hindi, Kesar) as a condiment and colorant in food.

Not only has the use of creating unique flavors for cuisine, saffron pistil also helps protect the health of the digestive system. This herb is also used as a beauty product with the role of regaining the radiance, maintaining the skin's texture, and combating the aging processes.

Interestingly, a flower has only 3 stamens, so it takes 14,000 saffron stamens to produce approximately 0.5 kg and collection is entirely manual. So this is one of the most expensive spices in the world.

Using saffron pistil safe during pregnancy?

It must be said that saffron pistil has many good uses for pregnant women when it can help reduce stress , pain, discomfort and even unusual mood swings. However, if used a lot, it will cause some detrimental effects for pregnant women, such as contractions that can lead to premature birth .

Some notes when adding saffron to your diet:

Only use at the beginning of the 5th month of pregnancy because the fetus is now stable, the risk of dangerous contractions is also reduced.

Only use up to 2 to 3 strands of saffron pistil when preparing any dish

Should choose a reputable supplier to avoid the risk of poor quality products.

Uses saffron pistil for pregnant women

In fact, saffron is recommended for use during pregnancy because of the benefits it offers. Here are some good advantages of saffron that aFamilyToday Health shares with you:

1. Regulate blood pressure

A woman's heart rate can increase by 25% during pregnancy, causing blood pressure fluctuations. Don't worry, because this type of pistil contains potassium and crocetin that help lower blood pressure, so it is very beneficial for your pregnancy.

2. Avoid morning sickness

Morning sicknesses often bother pregnant mothers in the morning. To dispel this unpleasant feeling, pregnant women only need to sip a cup of tea soaked with saffron pistil is enough.

3. Keep your mood steady

Pregnancy changes the hormones in your body, and that can have a profound effect on your emotions. You may feel sullen at one point and then suddenly impulsive at another.

With such situations, saffron will be your lifesaver. At this point, it acts as an antidepressant and increases blood flow to your brain. Additionally, the use of saffron increases the production of the hormone serotonin which improves your mood.

4. Supports good digestion

Most women will experience stomach pain during pregnancy. The digestive process also slows down during pregnancy and many pregnant women may need some help to help with this.

Saffron pistil works to increase blood flow to the digestive system, thereby helping the metabolism take place better. Besides, this type of pistil also forms a protective layer in the digestive tract, helping to soothe gastric acid and reduce the feeling of bloating for pregnant mothers.

5. Get rid of the cramps

During pregnancy, bones and muscles relax to accommodate the growing fetus, which can cause pain, muscle cramps, and stomach pain. Saffron pistil is a natural pain reliever that helps relax muscles, relieve stomach pain and soothe cramps very effectively.

6. Prevent cardiovascular disease

During pregnancy, pregnant women tend to eat more to satisfy cravings. That increases the amount of calories and fat has a negative effect on the heart. Crocetin, potassium, and antioxidants present in saffron can protect you and your baby from heart disease by reducing triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

7. Increase iron levels

During pregnancy, doctors always encourage you to consume iron-rich foods, because your body needs iron to stay healthy. Fortunately, this pistil is high in iron and helps to increase your hemoglobin level, as well as in the formation of red blood cells.

8. Reduce hair loss

Sometimes, the hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy cause hair loss. It is a common practice that many pregnant women consume a mixture of milk, saffron and licorice to reduce hair loss. The antioxidants in saffron are proven to help nourish, make hair stronger.

9. Support better sleep

The pregnant mother's stomach is getting bigger and bigger, making sleep a challenge for many pregnant women. Not only that, pregnant mothers also have to deal with the effects of the unpleasant hormone increase.

All of these factors together cause cramping, pain and discomfort. During such times, you can drink saffron tea or milk. Saffron contains mild sedatives that help promote sleep and make you feel relaxed.

10. Solutions for skin problems

Many women believe that consuming saffron helps them fight against common skin problems including acne , skin pigmentation that arise during pregnancy. Please rest assured because the use of saffron pistil to detoxify the liver, cooling the body. In addition, substances such as carotenoids, retinol play a role in repelling aging, whitening skin and reducing inflammation caused by acne.

The side effects of saffron that pregnant mothers should know

Besides the great benefits that saffron pistil gives pregnant women, this herb can still cause adverse effects. If pregnant women consume a lot of saffron in large amounts, they may experience some of the following side effects:

1. Causing miscarriage

Saffron tends to increase body temperature, which in turn leads to an increase in uterine contractility. This can cause miscarriages in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant mothers should only start using saffron in the second trimester onwards after consulting an obstetrician.

2. Hypersensitivity

In many cases, pregnant women complain of experiencing anxiety, dry mouth, nausea, and headache while using saffron. If you are facing such problems, it is best to avoid consuming them.

3. Vomiting

Consuming this type of pistil may also lead to vomiting in some women. Vomiting not only makes you uncomfortable, but also robs you of essential nutrients needed for you and your baby. So, make sure you don't have such adverse reactions when consuming saffron.

4. Dizziness

Due to saffron's sedative properties, consuming in higher doses can lead to a feeling of dizziness.

5. Saffron poisoning

Saffron poisoning can occur when a person consumes in high doses, equal to or greater than 12g. This is characterized by yellowing of the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. In addition, poisoned people also have symptoms of numbness, bloody diarrhea , nose and lips bleeding and many other symptoms.

6. Cramps

Increasing the amount of saffron consumed stimulates the uterus to increase the frequency of contractions. This can lead to premature labor.

7. Numbness

High levels of saffron may also cause anesthesia in some women. Numbness is described as a tingling sensation in the hands and feet and can also occur in the eyelids and lips.

If you want to use saffron pistil to get the great benefits that this herb brings, pregnant mothers should consult an obstetrician. This helps you determine the recommended amount of pistil, minimizing adverse side effects.