Vis medicatrix naturae- ’The Healing Power of Nature’
This naturopathic principle refers to the body’s innate ability to heal itself beginning at a cellular level, where the body undergoes continuous processes of regeneration and repair. Naturopathic therapies support and enhance the healing power of the body through medicinal constituents of plant derivatives.
Saffron (Crocus stavis) part of the Indriceae family, has been used in ancient cultures all the way through to modern herbalism and naturopathy, with great warrant. Known for its vibrant and vivacious colouring, saffron is more than just a spice. It is referred to as the “sunshine spice” and “mellow yellow” due to its profound benefits on mental health and mood support.
Saffron is considered an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powerhouse with actions that support the nervous, endocrine, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, and our reproductive systems by reducing premenstrual pain.
Naturopathic supplementation with saffron can have beneficial effects on mental health, particularly low mood and depression. It enhances serotonergic effects, meaning it helps the body create and release more serotonin, our happy hormone, aiding mood repair.
Chronic inflammation hugely influences the development of low mood and depression, which is why saffron is such a helping hand with its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Saffron is a natural antidepressant with clinical trials demonstrating reduced depressive symptoms and improved mood in individuals with depression, on par with modern antidepressant medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Trials demonstrate 30g/day dose of saffron reached similar results compared to 40mg/day of fluoxetine (an SSRI) in improving depressive symptoms in patients suffering major depressive disorder after a 6 week supplementation period.
Saffron is a well tolerated, effective natural treatment for aiding depressive symptoms and when taken in conjunction with SRRIs and SNRIs helps to alleviate well known side effects of these antidepressants; tremors, sexual dysfunction, headache, dizziness, nausea etc.
If you’re not sure where to turn, and need a little bit of help supporting your mind and mood our beautiful staff are here to help you. Saltuary’s dispensary carries saffron as one of our herbal medicines which our Naturopath can prepare into individual tonics specific to your needs. Our herbal medicine tonics will generally include many other herbs in the same bottle. Come in and talk to us or book in to see our Naturopath today.