Saffron for chronic inflammatory bowel disease – healing practice

Saffron reduces inflammation in ulcerative colitis

Treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are currently very limited. New approaches to alleviating bowel disease are therefore urgently needed. Saffron could possibly make a contribution here, according to a recent study.

A research team from Iranian University of Medical Sciences has in a recent study the effect of Saffron in people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis examined. The results of the study were published in the “Journal of herbal medicine“published.

What is ulcerative colitis?

ulcerative colitis is a disease of the large intestine and is characterized by chronic inflammation, which can occur in spurts. Bloody, slimy diarrhea is a typical symptom during flare-ups.

Additionally, fever and tachycardia may occur as part of an attack, and some people also experience abdominal cramps. The research team reports that the bodies of those affected show increased inflammatory parameters and increased oxidative stress.

Effect of saffron studied

Because saffron anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect would have shown to researchers, in a double-blind clinical study against placebo, the effect of Saffron tablets on the serum concentration of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers and on the quality of life of people with ulcerative colitis.

The 80 participants with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis were randomly assigned to a saffron or placebo group. The intervention group received 100 milligrams of saffron daily and the placebo group received 100 milligrams of maltodextrin daily for eight weeks.

Significant improvements observed

A total of 75 participants completed the study and after eight weeks of supplementation there was a significant increase in the saffron group compared to the placebo group. decline certain serum level inflammation markers (TNF-α and hs-CRP) and a significant Increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10) detectable.

At the so-called blood sedimentation reaction no significant difference was observed between the intervention group and the placebo group, nor were the differences between the groups statistically significant when inflammatory bowel disease was assessed using a questionnaire, reports the research team.

Nevertheless, in the saffron group, an improvement in blood sedimentation reaction and questionnaire values ​​could be determined.

Saffron tablets for therapy?

Study results suggest that taking saffron with medication for 8 weeks reduced levels of certain inflammatory cytokines in ulcerative colitis decrease considerably can, summarize the researchers. (fp)