Health Benefits of Saffron Milk

Kindi Lantz August 23, 2018

Drink to Your Health: The History and Health Benefits of Saffron Milk

Kesar Doodh is a sweet, golden beverage made of Kesar (the Indian word for saffron). Not only is Saffron Milk aromatic and comforting, in Indian cultures, it is often ritualistically drunk because of the claims of health benefits tied to it. But what are the supposed Let’s dive into the history of saffron milk and find out.

In Hindu wedding ceremonies, there are numerous ancient rituals. One of these rituals is to serve the couple a cup of warm saffron milk with crushed almonds. This tradition exists for several reasons. The high levels of protein present in the drink provide the bride and groom additional energy after being depleted from the tiresome wedding festivities. Upon drinking the milk, not only are they expected to have the stamina to carry through with the more private portion of the wedding night, the Kesar Doodh is thought to be an aphrodisiac and increase fertility levels!

Another traditional time to drink saffron milk is during pregnancy. There is an Indian myth that drinking the concoction will lead to a baby with a fairer complexion. As is the case with all myths, this has been disproven by science. Skin tone is determined by genetics, not what is or isn’t consumed during fetal development.

There are other, seemingly more legitimate reasons to drink saffron milk during pregnancy, however. As with any supplements, though, acceptable uses should be discussed with your obstetrician or midwife. That said, some of the claims of health benefits of saffron milk as they relate to pregnancy are:

1. Decreases high blood pressure
2. Fewer occurrences of mood swings
3. Helps with digestion
4. Enables the pregnant woman to get a good night’s sleep
5. Relaxes sore, tired muscles
6. Aids in relieving morning sickness
7. Boosts levels of iron

Saffron milk shouldn’t just be limited to newlyweds and expecting mothers, though!

It's incredibly delicious and the claimed health benefits of this seductively golden spice extend far beyond the bedroom and fetal development. The power of the crocus is said to be quite potent with a slew of healing properties tied to those tiny red stigmas.

Claims of the health benefits of saffron milk are numerous. Some of them are tied to the herb’s ability to:

1. Ease the symptoms and shorten the duration of the common cold
2. Fill in for NSAIDs as an anti-inflammatory solution and natural pain reliever
3. Help with managing diabetes (though, if you are diabetic, you’ll want to use sugar sparingly or omit from your Kesar Doodh recipe altogether)
4. Slow the signs of aging
5. Treat and prevent cancer
6. Alleviate symptoms tied to  depression and anxiety
7. Regulate blood pressure and decrease heart problems
8. Improve both vision and bone strength
9. Ameliorates  gastrointestinal problems

And if those reasons aren’t enough to convince you to enjoy a cup of warm saffron milk on the regular, consider this:

We live in a world where we are constantly connected, where we are bombarded with both virtual and real-life, in-your-face SPAM. The continuous “noise” and the inability to “unplug” from our work-day obligations is leading to a global epidemic of increased stress levels. Enjoying an evening cup of Kesar Doodh might just be exactly what you need. Sitting down to a saffron milk will enlighten your taste buds and provide the comfort and stillness you need to calm your mind. Give it a try and let me know how you feel!

Don’t miss next week’s post! I’ll provide an easy, comforting recipe for Kesar Doodh!