[[File:Saffron.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Crocus Sativus]]
Other Names : Crocus Sativus, Autumn Crocus, Azafrán, Azafron, Croci stigma, Crocus sativus, Indian Saffron, Kashmira, Kesar, Kumkuma, Saffron Crocus, Safran, Spanish Saffron, True Saffron, Zafran.<br>Saffron (Crocus sativus, Lis a plant.The dried stigmas (thread-like parts of the flower) is are used to make saffron spice. It can take 75,000 saffron blossoms to produce a culinary single pound of saffron spice widely used in Middle Eastern dishes. Saffron is a naturally derived plant product from the Iris family. It must be hand-picked largely cultivated and driedharvested by hand. Three acres of Due to the flower only produces one pound amount of labor involved in harvesting, saffronis considered one of the world's most expensive spices. The stigmas are also used to make medicine.
==Special Precautions of Saffron==
*Although saffron is considered safe when consumed as a food, use of saffron supplements may trigger several side effects (including dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, and headache). What's more, taking saffron in excess * Taking large amounts may be toxic of saffron is UNSAFE. High doses can cause poisoning, including yellow appearance of the skin, eyes, and lead to mucous membranes; vomiting, ; dizziness; bloody diarrhea; bleedingfrom the nose, lips, and eyelids; numbness; and other serious side effects. Doses of 12-20 grams can cause death.
*Since saffron may affect mood, people with serious mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder) should avoid the use of saffron.
* Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don’t take saffron in amounts larger than those normally found in food. Larger amounts of saffron can make the uterus contract and might cause a miscarriage.* Allergies to Lolium, Olea (includes olive), and Salsola plant species: People who are allergic to these plants might also be allergic to saffron.
==The benefits of Saffron are==
It has been used in traditional Persian medicine to relieve stomachaches, ease the pain of kidney stones, and treat depression. In traditional Chinese system, saffron was used as an agent to improve blood circulation and cure the bruise. Some studies suggest that saffron may also have benefits of anticancer and memory-enhancing activities. Some studies suggest saffron extracts may have benefits of memory-enhancing, anti-cancer and anti-oxidative activities.