I have been suffering from insomnia for a while now. Today, when I went to the pharmacy to buy some medicine, the salesperson told me that saffron can help with insomnia. I want to ask if drinking saffron really works for insomnia?
Does drinking saffron help with insomnia?
It has some effect.
Insomnia can be caused by various factors, such as psychological reasons, physical illnesses, mental stress, medication, etc. Insomnia is usually characterized by difficulty falling asleep, decreased sleep quality, and reduced sleep time, as well as impaired memory and attention.
Saffron is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has the effect of relieving depression and calming the mind. The crocin and crocetin extracted from saffron have strong antioxidant activity, which can help reduce anxiety, prolong sleep time, and regulate the brain's storage and retrieval of information, thus alleviating memory deficits. Therefore, drinking saffron can have some effect on insomnia.
How long does it take for saffron to treat insomnia?
The specific time of effectiveness varies from person to person.
There are many causes of insomnia. Although saffron has the effect of relieving depression and calming the mind to some extent, the effectiveness of monotherapy is limited. Moreover, due to individual differences in physical condition and the severity of the illness, the absorption of medication also varies, so it is not possible to determine the specific time of effectiveness.
What should be noted when using saffron to treat insomnia?
1. Avoid blind use
Saffron does have a certain effect in relieving depression and calming the mind, but the effectiveness of monotherapy is limited. If insomnia patients want systematic treatment, it is recommended to consult a doctor and use medication according to their own conditions under the guidance of a doctor.
2. Pay attention to the dosage
The general dosage of saffron is 1-3 grams, and overdose should be avoided. It should not exceed 10 grams, otherwise it may cause toxic reactions such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and confusion. For the treatment of insomnia, it is recommended to use saffron under the guidance of a doctor.
3. Avoid daily use
Saffron has strong physiological activity and blood circulation, which can stimulate the nerves and blood vessels. Daily use may cause mental excitement or skin bleeding. Therefore, it is generally recommended to stop using saffron for 1-2 days after taking it for 3-4 days.
Who should not drink saffron?
1. Pregnant women
Pregnant women should not take saffron. Saffron has a strong blood circulation and blood stasis-relieving effect, which can stimulate the uterus and cause uterine contractions, leading to vaginal bleeding in pregnant women, and even threatened miscarriage.
2. Women during menstruation
Saffron's blood circulation and blood stasis-relieving effect is strong, and taking it during menstruation may increase menstrual blood volume and prolong the duration of menstruation.
3. People with gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding
Saffron can stimulate the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, causing ulcers to rupture and bleed, or increase bleeding at the original bleeding site, and even pose a risk of massive hemorrhage.
Other dietary treatments for insomnia
Eight Treasure Porridge with Longan and Lotus Seeds
Ingredients: 50g longan, 50g lotus seeds, 100g rock sugar, 30g coix seeds, 30g red beans, 30g goji berries, 30g honey dates, a small amount of sugar osmanthus, and moist starch.
Instructions:
1. Put the lotus seeds, coix seeds, and red beans in a pot.
2. Add an appropriate amount of water and cook until soft.
3. Add longan, goji berries, honey dates, rock sugar, and sugar osmanthus and bring to a boil.
4. Finally, thicken with moist starch.
Sour Jujube Kernel Porridge
Ingredients: 15g sour jujube kernels, 100g glutinous rice.
Instructions:
1. Crush the sour jujube kernels and set aside.
2. Cook the glutinous rice in a pot until it is fully cooked.
3. Add the sour jujube kernels and cook for another 5 minutes.
