Saffron During Pregnancy: Safety, Benefits And Side Effects

Image: iStock

There is a popular belief that the use of saffron in pregnancy can lead you to have a baby with a fairer skin complexion. This sole reason may seem unconvincing, but are there other scientifically-proven benefits of taking saffron (usually mixed in milk or some other food) when pregnant? Keep reading this post where we discuss the various aspects of consuming saffron during pregnancy, including its benefits, harmful effects, ways to use it safely, and more.

What Is Saffron?

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) or Kesar is a spice known for its aromatic and flavorful aroma, as well as its medicinal properties. It is a perennial herb that belongs to the Iridaceae family and is mainly grown in Iran and other countries, such as India and Greece. The dried red stigma and a small portion of the flower’s yellowish style are used to make commercial saffron. It has been used as a herbal remedy as per ayurvedic medicine for over 3600 years and is still used in food preparations, opioidⁱXClass of drugs primarily used for suppressing pain preparations meant for pain relief, and other applications (1).

Is Saffron Safe During All Three Trimesters Of Pregnancy?

Saffron is considered safe during pregnancy, provided you take it in a small quantity. According to the Drug Information Database, exposure to saffron in excessive amounts could lead to uterine contractions, thrombocytopeniaⁱXDeficiency of blood platelets , bleeding, and abortion (1).

Moreover, it is advised to avoid consuming saffron during the first trimester of pregnancy, when the womb has not yet stabilized. A small study found an increased risk of miscarriage during early pregnancy in women who worked in saffron fields (2). Therefore, try to avoid consuming saffron in excess and during early pregnancy.

Is Saffron Extract Safe During Pregnancy?

Image: Shutterstock

Saffron extract is highly concentrated. In some Asian countries, it is used as a supplement for depression, weight loss, burning fat, and reducing sugar cravings. However, there is no scientific research on how safe the use of the extract is during pregnancy. Therefore, it is better to avoid the extract as it usually has high concentrations of crocin and safranal.

When Can You Take Saffron During Pregnancy?

There is no specific directive for when you may have saffron in pregnancy. Alternative medical practitioners believe that expectant mothers may take saffron during the second trimester, preferably from the fifth month — the time when the baby starts moving in the womb. Also, the pregnancy gets stable by then.

How Much Quantity Of Saffron Is Safe During Pregnancy?

Pregnant women may keep saffron intake between 0.5 and 2 grams per day after the first trimester. It includes all forms and food sources of saffron. Research indicates that an intake within the safe limit might promote uterine elasticity for facilitating labor. A higher intake might have side effects (3) (4).

Does Saffron Have Benefits During Pregnancy?

Image: Shutterstock

When consumed in small quantities, saffron is believed to have some benefits during pregnancy in traditional medicine, owing to its medicinal properties.

1. Digestion: A survey published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences in 2013 has found that the astringentⁱXSubstances with the property of drawing fluid and causing contraction of skin cells and body tissues properties in saffron help cleanse the digestive tract, improve the blood flow, increase appetite, and support digestion (5) (6).
2. Blood pressure: A study done on rats has found that the components, including crocin and safranal, in saffron have properties that might control the increase in blood pressure (7). It may, therefore, reduce blood pressure during pregnancy.
3. Pains and cramps: Your muscles and bones stretch to accommodate the growing baby. This might cause cramps and pain in the joints and stomach. The anti-spasmodicⁱXA medication’s property to suppresses muscle spasms and anti-inflammatory properties could help soothe these cramps (8) (9).
4. Sleep: Some women who find it difficult to get good sleep during pregnancy use saffron to feel relaxed and sleep well. Saffron’s sedative and hypnotic properties are believed to help in such cases (10).

Saffron intake has been shown to increase sleep quality. As the graph below depicts, the insomnia severity index (ISI) reduced significantly upon saffron administration compared to the placebo group. A statistical reduction in ISI was observed over 28 days compared to the placebo group.

Change in insomnia severity after saffron treatment

5. Mood enhancement: Anxiety amongst mixed emotions are common during pregnancy. Saffron is known to be an anti-depressant (1) and could help in elevating your mood.
6. Heart health: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of saffron might help keep cholesterol levels under control and maintain the health of arteries and blood vessels (11).
7. Facilitate labor: Saffron is known to affect uterine contractions. This is believed to help in cervical ripeningⁱXProcess of softening and opening of the cervix before the initiation of labor and might ease labor when taken during labor (12).
8. Reduce hair fall: The antioxidant properties of saffron may aid in the prevention of hair loss, the promotion of healthy hair growth, and the repair of damaged hair. It is a key ingredient in a variety of hair oil products. However, insufficient scientific evidence exists to support these benefits.

9. Relieves morning sickness: There is some anecdotal evidence that saffron-infused tea can help alleviate severe morning sickness during pregnancy.

Quick fact

The antioxidant, antimicrobial, depigmenting, and repairing properties of saffron may help treat skin conditions (20). Speak to your doctor about the safety of saffron’s topical use during pregnancy.

What Are The Side Effects Of Saffron During Pregnancy?

Saffron can put fetal and maternal health at risk when you take it in excessive quantities and may lead to complications, such as

1. Premature labor or abortion: Animal studies indicate that excess intake of saffron may increase body heat and might lead to premature labor, preterm birth, or abortion (13).
2. Fetal malformations: Excess saffron consumption during pregnancy can impair fetal development and cause a variety of fetal malformations or birth defects, most notably skeletal malformations (14).

3. Other effects: Some women may experience bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when consuming too much saffron (1).
   People use saffron in minimal quantities due to its toxicity, as well as the exorbitant cost. However, it might be consumed in multiple ways.

Is It Safe To Drink Saffron Milk During Pregnancy?

Image: Shutterstock

Saffron milk is a popular way for pregnant women to consume saffron along with milk nutrition. Drinking saffron milk during pregnancy or adding this spice to different dairy products is safe since it only uses a few strands of saffron.

How To Prepare Saffron Milk?

You may coarsely crumble 1-2 saffron stigmas, add them to warm milk, and stir thoroughly before consumption. You may also soak the threads in water or milk for about 10-15 minutes and then pour in the glass of milk.

Quick tip

You can add a pinch of cardamom powder and crushed almonds to the saffron milk for an enhanced flavor and increased health benefits.

What Are The Other Ways To Consume Saffron During Pregnancy?

Image: IStock

Here is how you may try consuming saffron other than milk. But talk to your doctor before making saffron a part of your prenatal care plan (15).

• A strand or two of saffron can be added to soups, rice preparations, or desserts.
• It is used as a food coloring agent for many dishes, including PulaoⁱXA type of pot rice dish and BiryaniⁱXA mixed rice dish that includes rice, vegetables, and meat .
• You may add one or two strands of saffron stigma or its extract to tea.

There are two most common methods of processing saffron before adding them to food items.

• Soaking: The threads are crushed in a mortar and pestle and put in warm milk or water. It is infused for about 10 to 15 minutes and then added to milk or any recipe.
• Crumbling: The threads are crumbled with fingers and added to any preparation.

Additionally, there are also herbal and dietary supplements available in the market that contain saffron extract.

How To Choose And Store Saffron?

Image: Shutterstock

Use these tips to choose and store saffron:

• Since it is one of the expensive spices and herbs, you may get several adulterated varieties of saffron. Buy from a well-known brand or store that has government-approved quality trademarks.
• Check the label, manufacture, and expiry dates.
• Pure saffron is crimson with a soft orange-red tip. The highest-grade variety has a deep color. Adulterated types might look completely crimson and have white or yellow threads.
• Store in an airtight container and put in a dark place. This way, its taste and fragrance remain for some months.
• You can also wrap it in foil, put it in an airtight container, and refrigerate it.

What Are Some Alternatives To Saffron?

You may consider alternatives such as red raspberry leaf, ginger, and peppermint (16). These can be consumed by preparing their tea, and they are considered safe for pregnant women, helping manage nausea and bloating (17). Red raspberry leaf is even believed to improve uterine health and reduce labor pains. Do note that some of these herbs may not be suitable if you are allergic to certain herbs or have food allergies in general. They may also react with certain medications. Therefore, consult your doctor to know about any risks of consuming these herbs and find the right amount safe for you and your baby.

Quick fact

Pure saffron strands do not break easily. Also, unadulterated saffron slowly releases color, while adulterated saffron rapidly colors the water (21).

Infographic: Advantages And Safety Advice For Saffron During Pregnancy

Saffron is considered safe to consume while pregnant but under certain conditions. The spice can be a great addition to many dishes and desserts for flavor and color. The infographic below presents notable health benefits of saffron for pregnant women and safety tips to consider.

Save

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Share

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Reviewer
• Author
• Editor
• Fact-checker

Dr. Shikha SharmaMBBS

Celebrity nutrition advisor Dr. Shikha Sharma has founded Dr. Shikha’s Nutrihealth in 1998. Dr. Shikha has done her MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College and holds 21 years of experience in the field of health and nutrition. Her organization, Dr. Shikha's NutriHealth, has over 50 Ayurveda experts and nutritionists who provide consultation services to the clients. The Nutrihealth expert team...more

Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction. She writes health and wellness articles for children and pregnant and lactating women. Reshmi has completed her post graduation in Biotechnology from MITS School of Biotechnology,...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Lorraine TeronMSc

Lorraine is a postgraduate in Life Science from Mount Carmel College and previously worked as a freelance scientific illustrator. As a project associate and lab technician at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Lorraine received valuable insights into Covid-19, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and neuro-degenerative diseases. In addition to being a science enthusiast, she has been an active writer since childhood. Lorraine has...more