Croci Stigma
Aliases：Xī Hóng Huā (Western Safflower); Fān Hóng Huā (Foreign Saffron); Bó Fū Lán (Persian Saffron); Sā Fù Lán (Saffron); Sā Fǎ Láng (Saffron); Fān Zhī Zǐ Ruǐ (Foreign Gardenia Stamen).
Zàng Hóng Huā (Saffron) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L., a plant of the Iridaceae family. It is thread-like in shape, with three branches, approximately 3 cm in length, and dark red in color. The upper part is slightly wider and flattened, with irregularly toothed margins at the apex. It has a distinctive odor and a slightly bitter taste. In 2020, it was included in the National Health Commission's list of medicinal and edible substances (for use only as a spice and seasoning).
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis; cools blood and detoxifies; relieves depression and calms the mind.
Indications
Used for amenorrhea with abdominal masses, postpartum stasis obstruction, warm-toxin skin eruptions, depression with chest stuffiness, and palpitations with mania. It is also used for dysmenorrhea, menstrual irregularities, persistent postpartum lochia, abdominal mass pain, traumatic injuries, and measles.
Modern Pharmacology
Antidepressant: Regulates neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity, alleviates depression-like behaviors. Antitumor: Induces apoptosis, affects cell cycle, inhibits metastasis, improves chemoresistance, induces autophagy. Anti-aging: Crocetin delays aging of the brain and multiple organs. Anticoagulant: Prolongs prothrombin time and aPTT, inhibits platelet aggregation. Uterine stimulation: Excites isolated and in situ uterus, with greater sensitivity in pregnant uterus. Cardiovascular protection: Lowers lipids and blood pressure, repairs blood vessels, protects against myocardial and cerebral ischemia. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory. Respiratory protection: Reduces inflammatory cell counts and lowers IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IgE levels.
Ingredients
Crocin: Also known as crocetin digentiobiosyl ester, it is an ester glycoside formed by crocetin and sugars, and is one of the main active components. Crocetin . Picrocrocin: Content approximately 2%. Safranal: The main component of the volatile oil, formed by the hydrolysis of picrocrocin. Volatile Oils: Content 0.4–1.3%, mainly safranal. Sterols: Campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol. Triterpenoids: Ursolic acid, oleanolic acid. Fatty Acids: Palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid. Carotenoids: Phytoene, phytofluene, β-carotene, zeaxanthin. Flavonoids: The perianth contains kaempferol, astragalin, quercetin-3-p-coumaroyl glucoside, among others.
Usage & Dosage
Decocted in water or steeped in boiling water for oral use, the standard dosage is 1–3g. The Pharmacopoeia records a dosage of 3–9g. As a medicinal and edible substance, the recommended daily health maintenance dosage is within 1g per day.
Contraindications
Contraindicated or use with caution during pregnancy: Saffron can increase uterine tone and excitability, potentially causing uterine spasmodic contractions that may lead to miscarriage. The pregnant uterus is particularly sensitive. Contraindicated in patients with excessive menstruation: Saffron has a relatively strong blood-activating effect, which may worsen bleeding and lead to excessive blood loss. Contraindicated in patients with bleeding tendencies: Including those with open wounds after recent surgery, as well as patients with bleeding disorders such as purpura and aplastic anemia. Use with caution in patients with gastric ulcers: It may induce bleeding, causing symptoms such as hematemesis, melena (black stools), and abdominal pain. Use with caution in individuals with allergies: A small number of people may experience allergic skin rashes after taking it. Not suitable for long-term or excessive use: Continuous use is not recommended for more than two weeks. Overdose may cause side effects such as skin and mucosal bleeding, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Selected Formulas
For Hematemesis (from Bencao Gangmu Shiyi, citing Wang Shiyao’s Formula) Take one stigma of saffron (Crocus sativus), place it in a cup of unfiltered rice wine (Wú Huī Jiǔ), and steam it over water to extract the liquid. Take it orally, and the bleeding is said to stop immediately. For Various Types of Abdominal Masses (from Bencao Gangmu Shiyi) Take one stigma of saffron, steep it in hot water, and drink the infusion. Avoid oily foods, meat, and salt; plain congee is recommended. Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach and Saffron Four-Substance Decoction, a Famous Formula) Saffron (or Carthamus tinctorius flower, Hóng Huā) is used together with Peach Kernel (Táo Rén), Angelica Root (Dāng Guī), Ligusticum Rhizome (Chuān Xiōng), White Peony Root (Bái Sháo), and Rehmannia Root (Shú Dì) to invigorate blood, remove stasis, regulate menstruation, and relieve pain. Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang (Restorative Blood-Quickening Decoction, a Famous Formula) Saffron is used together with Bupleurum Root (Chái Hú), Rhubarb (Dà Huáng), Angelica Root (Dāng Guī), Trichosanthes Root (Tiān Huā Fěn), and Peach Kernel (Táo Rén) to treat traumatic injuries with swelling and pain due to blood stasis.
Daily Consumption
Dried stigma.
Medicinal Parts
Dried stigma.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, cool, and dry place, protected from light, in an airtight container.
