Saffron During Pregnancy: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More

Taking saffron during pregnancy has been advised by doctors as well as elders since ages. Saffron or ‘Kesar’, as it is popularly known in India has numerous wonderful medicinal properties. The spice has always been held in high regard in Ayurveda and used since ancient times not only in cooking but also for cosmetic and healing purposes.

Saffron is actually the dried stigma of a purple colored flower that goes by the name of ‘Crocus sativus’ or simply the saffron flower. Its rarity and the painstaking process that goes behind harvesting it is what makes saffron the most expensive spice in the world.

The spice is extensively used in Indian, Iranian, Spanish as well as some other cuisines of the world. Just a hint of saffron makes several dishes taste and look resplendent along with helping you reap its many benefits.

Now talking about pregnancy, it is believed that if pregnant women have saffron, it can improve the complexion of their baby. However, it is a myth as the complexion of the baby is determined by the genes and not the food that the mother eats. But leaving this myth aside, there are actually several ways that women can benefit by having saffron when they’re pregnant. 

Want to know what they are? Then, keep reading to know more about what saffron’s benefits, uses and side effects are during pregnancy.

Benefits of Saffron during Pregnancy

Saffron is highly beneficial for pregnant women to have saffron as it has many amazing medicinal properties and can provide a number of benefits during the gestational period. Let us find out what the benefits of saffron in pregnancy are.

1. Controls Mood Swings

Mood swings are extremely common during the nine months as pregnancy triggers a lot of hormonal changes in your body. From feeling emotional at one moment to irritated at the next, these drastic mood swings are extremely common.

Saffron has antidepressant effects that can help in calming down the mood swings. Intake of this spice boosts the blood flow to your brain. It also produces a hormone called ‘serotonin’ that is known to elevate your mood and keep all those annoying mood swings at bay. Not just that, the intake of saffron is also known to reduce the secretion of a stress hormone called ‘cortisol’.

2. Regulates Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is yet another common issue that pregnant women face. Pregnancy is known to speed up a woman’s heart rate thus causing fluctuations in the blood pressure levels.

If it is ignored, it can lead to some severe complications. Saffron during pregnancy is excellent for blood pressure as it contains potassium, crocin, crocetin as well as safranal.

These wonderful substances work very effectively in combating hypertension and reducing blood pressure. Just a very small quantity of saffron when you are pregnant can prove extremely beneficial in managing blood pressure.

3. Better Digestion

A host of digestive issues ranging from constipation and bloating to heartburn and stomach aches are very common during pregnancy. Persisting digestive disorders can be very annoying and make you feel uncomfortable.

Thus, you must eat foods that ease down the digestion process and make it smooth. Saffron contains wonderful properties that help increase blood flow to the digestive organs, enhancing digestion as well as improving your metabolism.

Intake of saffron can also relieve as well as prevent acidity thus helping you feel better. This is one of the reasons why saffron during pregnancy is very beneficial.

4. Relief from Cramps

Pregnant women are very likely to experience mild to severe cramps during the course of their pregnancy. Depending upon how severe the cramps are, they can cause major discomfort and pain.

In order to accommodate the growing baby, the muscles stretch causing pain and cramps in the stomach and pelvic area. Well, saffron to rescue here as well.

Saffron works amazingly well to naturally fight the pain thus providing relief from the cramps. It soothes and relaxes the muscles, reducing the muscular pain and helping you feel good and comfortable again. So, if you haven’t already, you need to add saffron to your pregnancy diet.

5. Eases Morning Sickness

Dealing with morning sickness everyday can take away your joy and help you feel sick and lethargic not just in the morning but all the time. If you are annoyed and irritated because of your morning sickness, we have some good news for you. This wonderful spice called saffron can provide you major relief against your morning sickness as well.

Having some saffron-infused tea works quite effectively in keeping the nausea and other symptoms of morning sickness away. Isn’t that one of the best benefits of saffron in pregnancy?

6. Helps you Sleep Better

Pregnancy is just the beginning of many sleepless nights that are ahead of you. As you progress in your pregnancy and your belly grows, it can get more and more difficult to fall asleep and it may become a challenge to get a good night’s sleep.

If you’re tired of tossing and turning at night or want to prevent that from happening, you need to have saffron. After all, to stay in the pink of your health during your pregnancy and afterwards, you need to get good rest. 

Saffron is known to contain some amazing sedative properties that can make you relaxed and help you to sleep better. 

7. Helps in Reducing Congestion as well as Allergies

Pregnancy is also a time when you are more prone to infections as well as allergies as your immune system can get weakened. 

However, saffron has some incredible anti-inflammatory properties that can protect you from all these infections. Intake of this spice will provide you better protection against nasal congestion, colds, coughs as well as other allergies and infections.

Here, we talked about the top 7 benefits of saffron during pregnancy. Now, let us take a look at it in more detail.

Saffron during pregnancy during first trimester

Although it is safe to start taking saffron any time during your pregnancy, it is believed that saffron should be avoided in the first trimester. 

While a few strands won’t do you any harm, it is better to consult your doctor before you begin saffron consumption in your first trimester.

Saffron During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

It is completely safe to start having saffron from the second half of your second trimester i.e. beginning from the fifth month.

Although safe to start having it from the beginning of your second trimester, it is recommended that you begin the intake of saffron from your fifth month of pregnancy.

Saffron During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

It is totally safe to consume saffron in your third trimester of pregnancy and having it can give you optimum benefits.

Saffron in 9th month of Pregnancy

Saffron is quite beneficial in the 9th month of pregnancy as it works as a muscle relaxant and prepares your body for labor and childbirth.

Saffron in 8th month of Pregnancy

You should also be having saffron in your 8th month of pregnancy as it can help you sleep better, provide relief against cramps and keep you in a good mood. 

Saffron during pregnancy according to Unani Medicine

Saffron in pregnancy is also given a lot of importance in the traditional medicine systems practiced in India, including Unani medicine.

An expecting woman is encouraged to have it owing to the many benefits that saffron has. 

Some points to remember before having saffron in pregnancy

• Although saffron is amazing for you, it should only be had in moderation as excess saffron can prove harmful. You should not have more than 2 to 3 strands of saffron (around 250mg) daily.
• Make sure that the saffron is of highest quality as cheap quality or fake saffron can be harmful too. So, be very careful and particular about where you source your saffron from.

Saffron During Pregnancy: Side Effects

Excess of anything, no matter how good, can be harmful. And that includes saffron too. Although saffron is very good for pregnant ladies, you only need a very small quantity of it to reap its benefits.

Excess intake of saffron can lead to contractions and even lead to preterm labour or a misscarriage.

Saffron during Pregnancy: Uses

• A glass of saffron milk daily is the best way for pregnant ladies to get their daily dose of this spice. 
• Saffron can also be added to various dishes like biryani, rice, pasta, desserts and a lot more to enhance their taste.

How to prepare saffron milk for pregnant ladies?

• Soak about three strands of saffron in a tablespoon or two of milk for about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Heat a glass of milk in a pan and also add the saffron-infused milk to it. Add a pinch of turmeric and a spoonful of sugar (if you prefer it sweet) to it and let the milk heat well.
• Let the milk boil well and then transfer it to a glass.
• Additionally, you can also add some finely chopped dry fruits like almonds and pistachios or dry fruit powder to it for an enhanced taste.
• Enjoy!

A glass of saffron milk at night is the best way to enjoy saffron during pregnancy.

Over to You

I hope my research and experience as a student of nutrition helps you in knowing more about the use of saffron during pregnancy. You can connect on the comments section to ask specific questions.

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Mir Saeid

Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.

Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace,  he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.