Kumkuma — Saffron

Ayurvedic herb Kumkuma (Crocus sativus) — Saffron. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Madhura, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Madhura. Balances Vata, Pitta.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
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Saffron used for complexion, mood elevation, and female fertility.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, MadhuraTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Madhura (Sweet) — nourishing, grounding, promotes tissue growth
GunaLaghuLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaMadhuraMadhura (Sweet) — post-digestive sweet, nourishing
PrabhavaVarnya, rasayana, StanyajananaVarnya — improves complexion and skin tone; rasayana; Stanyajanana — promotes lactation

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Kumkuma is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Kashmiraja, Vahlika, Rakta, Keshara

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Kumkuma are: pushpagra.

Main Indications

Kumkuma is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Varnya, Vyanga, Drishtiroga, Shiroroga, Vatarakta.

Dosha Effects

Kumkuma pacifies Vata, Pitta.

It may aggravate Kapha when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Kumkuma is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
flowerAbortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:9770972795006
flowerAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788171360536
flowerAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006
flowerAnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZISBN:9788171360536
flowerAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-6
flowerAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-6
flowerAntimutagenic agentsMESH:D016587,UMLS:C0085168ISBN:9788172362133
flowerAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172362133, ISBN:9789327275590
flowerAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9788171360536
flowerAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
flowerAsthenopiaMESH:D001248,UMLS:C0004095, ICD-11:9D50The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-6
flowerAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006
flowerBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788171360536
flowerCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-6
flowerColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9788171360536
flowerCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-6
flowerCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
flowerDepressive disorderMESH:D003866,UMLS:C0011581, ICD-11:6A7ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266
flowerDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9788171360536
flowerEncephalitisMESH:D004660,UMLS:C0014038, DOID:9588, ICD-11:1D00.ZISBN:9770972795006
flowerEpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZISBN:9788171360536
flowerEye diseasesMESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9789327275590
flowerFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
flowerHeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9788171360536
flowerHeart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZThe Unani Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-6
flowerHepatomegalyMESH:D006529,UMLS:C0019209, ICD-11:ME10.00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266
flowerHypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9770972795006
flowerIntestinal diseasesMESH:D007410,UMLS:C0021831, DOID:5295, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006
flowerLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9788171360536
flowerFrecklesMESH:D008548,UMLS:C0025209, ICD-11:ED61.0ISBN:9770972795006
flowerMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9770972795006
flowerMigraine disordersMESH:D008881,UMLS:C0149931, DOID:6364, ICD-11:8A80.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
flowerMuscular dystrophiesMESH:D009136,UMLS:C0026850, DOID:9884, ICD-11:8C70ISBN:9789327275590
flowerNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9788172362133
flowerNeuralgiaMESH:D009437,UMLS:C0027796, ICD-11:MG30.5ZISBN:9788171360536
flowerParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9770972795006
flowerPharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZISBN:9770972795006
flowerPremenstrual syndromeMESH:D011293,UMLS:C0033046, ICD-11:GA34.40ISBN:9789327275590
flowerGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
flowerScorpion stingsMESH:D065008,UMLS:C0238417, ICD-11:NE61ISBN:9770972795006
flowerSinusitisMESH:D012852,UMLS:C0037199, DOID:0050127, ICD-11:CA0A.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
flowerSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536
flowerSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
flowerStress, physiologicalMESH:D013312,UMLS:C0449430, ICD-11:6E40.4ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172362133
flowerUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006
flowerUrologic diseasesMESH:D014570,UMLS:C0042075ISBN:9780387706375
flowerVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9770972795006
flowerWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006
fruitPoliomyelitisMESH:D011051,UMLS:C0032371, DOID:4953, ICD-11:1C81ISBN:9770972795006
plant cells/cultureAntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9788172362133
tuberFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006
AmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788172360481
AnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9788173717031
AntiemeticsMESH:D000932,UMLS:C0003297, ICD-11:XM4VY6ISBN:9788172360481
Antifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
Anti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9770972795006
Antineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
AntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9770972795006
AphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788173717031
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
AscitesMESH:D001201,UMLS:C0003962, ICD-11:ME04ISBN:9780387706375
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006
AtherosclerosisMESH:D050197,UMLS:C0004153, DOID:1936, ICD-11:BD40.ZISBN:9780387706375
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717031
Depressive disorderMESH:D003866,UMLS:C0011581, ICD-11:6A7ZISBN:9788173717031
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
DysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9788172360481
EpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZISBN:9788173717031
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
FlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
GalactogoguesMESH:D056669,UMLS:C2717873ISBN:9788173717031
Gastrointestinal diseasesMESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9788172360481
HeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9788173717031
HemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9770972795006
HepatomegalyMESH:D006529,UMLS:C0019209, ICD-11:ME10.00ISBN:9788173717031
Hypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9770972795006
HysteriaMESH:D007046,UMLS:C0020701ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
InflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717031
Kidney diseasesMESH:D007674,UMLS:C0022658, DOID:557, ICD-11:GC2ZISBN:9788173717031
Laryngeal diseasesMESH:D007818,UMLS:C0023051, DOID:786, ICD-11:CA0H.YISBN:9788173717031
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788173717031
LeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9770972795006
MeaslesMESH:D008457,UMLS:C0025007, DOID:8622, ICD-11:1F03ISBN:9770972795006
Menstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
Muscle developmentMESH:D024510,UMLS:C0949649ISBN:9788172360481
NarcoticsMESH:D009294,UMLS:C0027415ISBN:9770972795006
ParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
Premature ejaculationMESH:D061686,UMLS:C0033038, DOID:13709, ICD-11:HA03.0ZISBN:9788172360481
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
Splenic diseasesMESH:D013158,UMLS:C0037997, DOID:2529, ICD-11:3B8ZISBN:9788173717031
Uterine contractionMESH:D014590,UMLS:C0042130, ICD-11:GA16.YISBN:9788172360481
Whooping coughMESH:D014917,UMLS:C0043167, ICD-11:XE6LTISBN:9780387706375
DiaphoreticUMLS:C1707737ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481