Table of Contents
- The Allure of Saffron: More Than Just a Pretty Spice
- Saffron’s Ancient Past: A Journey Through History
- Decoding Saffron’s Chemical Secrets: Crocin, Safranal, and Picrocrocin
- Saffron and Brain Health: A Cognitive Spark?
- The Mental Wellbeing Boost: Can Saffron Ease the Aging Mind?
- Saffron, Eyesight, and the Years: Protecting Visual Acuity
- Saffron’s Antioxidant Power: Fighting Off Cellular Rust
- Inflammation’s Quiet Assault: How Saffron May Help
- The Heart-Healthy Promise: Saffron’s Role in Cardiovascular Health
- Blood Sugar Balance: Is Saffron a Potential Aid?
- A Dose of Caution: Potential Side Effects and Interactions
- Incorporating Saffron into Your Life: More Than Just Paella
- The Saffron Obsession: The Price of Golden Spice
- Saffron and Longevity: A Tentative Conclusion
- Personal Musings: Saffron’s Mysterious Future.
1. The Allure of Saffron: More Than Just a Pretty Spice
Let’s be honest; saffron is a flex. A little pinch adds this ridiculously rich color, a whisper of a sweet, earthy flavor, to your dish – whether it’s risotto, a Moroccan tagine, or some experimental concoction that should really have been tossed but you’re too stubborn. But it’s that color, isn’t it? A golden-red hue that screams both decadence and, if we’re being really frank, extravagance. Most of the time for me that means they spend their life tucked at the back of the spice rack and on odd special occasion I grab them and start daydreaming of far-away travel and spicy cuisine.
Beyond the fancy color and a tiny aroma that manages to smell both warm and metallic, there’s an undeniable mystique to it, isn’t it? Maybe it’s that it has this mysterious provenance, harvested from a humble flower, hand-picked with almost religious zeal. But it’s more than that now, isn’t it? I find it’s really this buzz about its potential health benefits – the claims of better cognition, of reduced inflammation, of a slower tick-tock on life’s aging clock that are intriguing. As an investigative soul by default and a journalist by vocation – well, these sorts of whispers naturally pull you into them like an ancient vortex. So let’s start pulling back some threads, if you will, on this very particular golden-red.
2. Saffron’s Ancient Past: A Journey Through History
Saffron’s journey is fascinating because of just how damn long it’s been around. We’re not talking about the latest turmeric or goji berry craze – oh, no. Saffron has been kicking about since way before your great-great-great-whatever grandpa was even a twinkle in his daddy’s eye, used across time and cultures and continents. We’re looking at millennia here – we’re not talking fads, folks! It first pops up in Sumerian writings and has roots deeply embedded in Persian history. Ancient Greek and Roman cultures viewed it not only as food flavoring but as a dye, a perfume, and even a sort of ritualistic medicine.
The fact that ancient civilizations that never even imagined Wi-Fi existed were going to all that fuss to pluck these things from the delicate Crocus sativus flowers? This level of reverence that has passed for thousands of years is quite something! The time and devotion – it really suggests some significant power being present, doesn’t it? But beyond just history’s anecdotal evidence that should keep us slightly humble in thinking that we found something that ancient people have missed, today there are a lot more studies with scientific rigors which show the ancient wisdom being re-discovered. But, you have to admit that there is some degree of poeticism present with every small pinch you use – to know how those ancients looked upon this exact same crimson colour – as you gaze into it and daydream a bit while it permeates that dish you are crafting. It feels good to me – just putting this here as side thought.
3. Decoding Saffron’s Chemical Secrets: Crocin, Safranal, and Picrocrocin
Okay, this is the slightly science-y part of this story, so stick with me even if it’s as thrilling to you as algebra was in high school (i.e not at all). What exactly are these magic compounds that create the buzz? It’s primarily a trio of active ingredients: crocin, safranal, and picrocrocin.
- Crocin: This guy’s the artist behind saffron’s vivid color – the golden, reddish hues that can jazz up even a bowl of the saddest white rice. Crocin’s a carotenoid, like beta-carotene which is responsible for the color in carrots but crocin has more benefits going for it. But its main draw isn’t just its look—its a potent antioxidant and neuroprotective agent. The latest studies show that Crocin helps with preventing cell damage by counteracting harmful molecules we called free radicals – like having this molecular superhero squad protecting your cells at microscopic level. More about it soon as we look more into anti-aging promises and science backing those.
- Safranal: When it comes to aroma, you have Safranal in the cockpit controlling the operations and the steering wheel – This is responsible for saffron’s unique smell—that sweet, hay-like, slightly metallic tang you can pick up (well at least i can, hope i’m not alone) in the spice. I find it’s like the scent of some kind of high-end leather and spices when someone tries to impress with expensive taste, except, its saffron doing this and not overconfident people that are probably underwhelmed anyway. Studies suggest that this fella possesses mood-boosting qualities.
- Picrocrocin: Last but not the least, the spice gets its slightly bitter note from this fellow that also possesses it’s own unique power, contributing to saffron’s unique flavour. And, just to remind you, many researchers are delving deeper into its therapeutic potential, not just its taste – a real all-rounder this one, don’t you think?
These three aren’t just passive ingredients—they are key actors in what makes saffron potentially beneficial and more importantly, interesting from a health perspective and worthy of diving deeper into.
4. Saffron and Brain Health: A Cognitive Spark?
Here’s a thought that’s actually quite reassuring; As the brain matures with age, a few parts and its function gradually decrease. So now comes to question that interests us in the realm of all the new research into longevity; Could saffron provide cognitive support as you get older? I have to be honest at this point and I think we both know that at 28 (yeah, yeah, early thirties if you’re my mother) the effects will not be visible right now so bear with my curiosity.
Recent studies on the saffron threads hint that certain chemical agents and in particular the power trio that we talked earlier seem to play role in protecting neurons and might also enhance cognitive function like memory and attention. I mean this research seems interesting as with every passing day the amount of dementia and other age-related mental condition go up as a statistic – these threads and promise of this plant can truly prove crucial. This can include improving learning skills as one study concluded as it saw subjects doing better at tests which had subjects completing cognitive test tasks.
But here comes the “well, hold on, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here” disclaimer: most of these results are emerging from controlled environment studies – it is usually animals, human studies and so forth. We aren’t talking about turning our lives into saffron fueled marathon – rather its the exploration that science provides in how far saffron can offer solutions or offer preventive qualities and capabilities to age-related diseases and how it stacks up next to other common solution options, especially given the accessibility that you can have access in most stores right now and price point. And let’s be fair – who wouldn’t like their grey cells to function with maximum gusto, with no cognitive declination happening? Let’s dig into that aspect some more as it leads us naturally to the question of our emotional and overall well-being as we start thinking about saffron.
5. The Mental Wellbeing Boost: Can Saffron Ease the Aging Mind?
Okay so aside from potentially sharping your minds up from pure intellectual performance (or some science might have us believing) what else has this spice done with regards to our emotions. As much we tend to value that aspect we do tend to forget and treat emotions like some kind of unnecessary software in this life. Saffron’s mood-lifting potential isn’t just a myth or some old wives tale – more often than not the truth tends to hide and lay within those “just a silly idea” of folklore as well. And, yes it seems it’s not just a marketing hype but also, once again – backed by science that we are always so keen to believe in.
There have been some small to medium studies indicating that saffron supplementation has some efficacy on mild to moderate depression or as mood support during challenging emotional period. Some of them saw that participants showed similar improvements that are found with medication for depression. This all means saffron is making its presence felt not just on mental cognitive functionality but in providing well-being of those aging minds – providing additional mental well being as you continue life’s ever winding journey with new twist and turns every decade you go on with that journey.
And look, this is big! We are not looking at some new hyped-up “new generation-wonder cure” kind of magic remedy. Rather we are looking at a natural ingredient, that most probably might be sitting in your shelf right now! What more needs to be said as far as it seems to support emotional health as you age and perhaps be an important ally as a life gets full of various complex and emotional nuances in older life and its years to come. Let us jump to another angle of this conversation – does Saffron work to benefit those aspects that most commonly fail our human systems as time marches on?
6. Saffron, Eyesight, and the Years: Protecting Visual Acuity
Another sad truth in life as one gets older is the decline in overall quality of our eyesight which I think is most cruel to me! One moment you are reading all the labels without glasses like some champion – next moment your squinting at anything smaller than headline on newspaper (if they even make them anymore that is.) We are all painfully aware how important our visual function is in overall daily tasks and it is critical we retain them at their optimal best throughout entire duration. There is also a natural and inherent fear and concern of losing the full power of what that sensory organ does. So let’s see if there’s any hope that saffron threads might add value to those aging eyes and keep things looking crystal clear!
Now here comes yet another pleasant surprise. Research conducted to the potential effect on eyes reveal that antioxidants in saffron that is, particularly that glorious, scarlet red “crocin”, show promising and potential benefits in protecting your eyes against some serious age-related diseases such as macular degeneration (AMD). Which has implications that you should start seeing saffron on top of carrots for our diet from now on. Well maybe not on top – that would look kind of disturbing – but incorporating both seems like winning tactic to approach to vision care. This means those threads also act as shield against oxidative stress to protect your cells – also that they might contribute to preserving optimal eyesight during aging.
Look, as if this thing wasn’t mysterious enough it suddenly has started to work like Swiss Army Knife of Health which comes bundled in spicy threads from the back of your spice cabinet.
7. Saffron’s Antioxidant Power: Fighting Off Cellular Rust
Right about now as i’m getting my thoughts around this Saffron magic I find myself diving more and more to this question: is the anti aging hype based on anything that the Saffron plant really can offer us? We keep talking about things like “aging well” or “slowing the clocks” and often that results in buying a jar of weird goopy moisturizer for $250 (or like in my case ignoring those suggestions that cost so much). Is Saffron just a another similar scam with marketing terms wrapped around science jargon? As the answer is obviously “No” you also might have a lot of these questions so i want to discuss them while you have read thus far on benefits of using the crimson spices.
We talked how “crocin” works like your cells very own security service that fights those pesky “free radicals” that can contribute to some significant cellular damage – kind of rusting up the whole process and contributing to aging. Well then this is no wonder why most the benefits we talked are rooted into one common theme: antioxidants. But what does “Antioxidant” really mean, anyway? Why is everyone using it everywhere? Well that “Oxidation” that you see here is, if we need a short summary, that the damage it causes is much like what happens when metal rusts, your cell gets rust and become weak and tired and dies out much faster and we definitely don’t want it when we talk about cells or body in general! But saffron antioxidants are like the cleaning agent that removes all the residue and prevents further accumulation to get that good old cells shining brightly again, which, quite simply put, has the ability to do wonders to the entire system when this protection happens systemically.
There are claims by researchers that point to saffron as something to aid as age related damage is associated with increasing number of “Free radicals”. Now we also have seen studies which suggests saffron extracts contain more “Phenolic acid” compared to many other similar common spices on the shelves! This leads more strength into notion of fighting against that “Oxidation”. That in simple terms results into stronger “anti oxidative” effect meaning: stronger protection on your cells. Look at this like a big microscopic battle where you add powerful super hero troops with magic shield and this battle now slowly gets turned in your cells favor to the better and a bit longer and a little stronger overall function. Sounds amazing, but of course what about all these issues related to aging that start popping up over the decades that keep adding on us, such as inflammation in various parts of body that slowly get accumulated?
8. Inflammation’s Quiet Assault: How Saffron May Help
Okay, now this conversation becomes increasingly intriguing, and if you ask me personally, this aspect also becomes a lot more significant to aging in my eyes because most common chronic illnesses have some level of “chronic” low-grade inflammation being root of it – whether that’s in brain (that contributes to dementia, Alzheimer), Heart disease and diabetes (I know.. it’s a big umbrella). And sadly as I dive in into that aspect, you know, all of that makes aging itself harder. It is very similar as having car that is not well oiled and just have every part rubbing constantly with other – so your general overall functioning isn’t all too healthy to say the least and as an overall effect it degrades at rapid rate, and saffron is slowly turning into good anti inflammation lube for me – does it also have potential to benefit those common effects we tend to accumulate throughout out our life time? Well seems it can be said with caution and growing number of studies behind it that are showing how its antioxidants have “Anti-inflammatory effects”.
It’s no mystery why Saffron has made many appearances into most modern anti-aging, health focused talks and discussions – because science has been slowly noticing these various actions all converging on one beneficial fact. If there was one thing most people seem to be ignoring these days when dealing with complex chronic and inflammatory health concerns is diet (me included!) and maybe incorporating something with powerful properties that also is readily accessible, may be of a high advantage to all of us on some kind of health optimization program – that may benefit our overall lifespan. It feels almost like if all other aspects mentioned already were only a smaller scale and just training and prepping for the actual grand showdown which Saffron is finally able to pull up at the big chronic inflammation problem and make dent and potential solution with regular consumption. I am getting kind of sold if we’re being honest, but we have to make a due note: there needs to be way more scientific confirmation to the claims but still looking amazing! It doesn’t stop there – we need to check more and more! What other systems do we use as human being as we spend our years, especially the circulatory systems that delivers blood to all corners of your being – like your beloved and so useful “Heart?”
9. The Heart-Healthy Promise: Saffron’s Role in Cardiovascular Health
Okay let’s be frank here, for majority of people (as long you’re not in active sports professional and all too focused on fitness life or health professional and obsessively conscious about what you consume) there aren’t much concerns that your cardiovascular system is anything less then “just fine”. I get that thought. Until it suddenly stops working just fine – that’s when its going to take the top priority, isn’t it? Now thankfully we are diving here into the topic of long game strategies to enhance your life overall not putting the “urgent fix” so with that being said, it seems Saffron makes its moves yet again to take the big stage and possibly be beneficial. It does start raising the level of its reputation even for my journalist (read “highly skeptical and cynical) self!
As researchers begin doing the usual job – some experiments with human beings and animals – they are starting to observe that regular and balanced intake may support heart health. More studies indicate this: they show saffron extracts seem to help control overall “blood pressure levels” and positively affect some other cholesterol and lipid profiles in certain groups of populations that have a condition that increases their chance of issues. Let us be very very clear: it’s not a substitute for conventional medication. If your cardiologist suggested anything you should trust and follow it to tee. No spice – however good it seems, or well spoken about – replaces what medical professional would prescribe you in urgent cases.
With that said – saffron is again here popping out with amazing traits. Just let’s put them on quick list now so that we can start wrapping things around here to close it: protects the cognitive mind, prevents “cell rusting”, anti inflammation aid and heart supporter that also shows promise in providing healthy heart. I mean it does almost read as too good to be true – but one last thing before we talk potential issues; Does saffron hold potential to benefit diabetes by controlling glucose levels?
10. Blood Sugar Balance: Is Saffron a Potential Aid?
Here’s yet again something rather exciting that researchers begin digging into more and more which seems extremely vital for me: a plant which has ability to affect metabolic function, specifically how we break sugar into smaller component that later used to provide the power our bodies need throughout all our days! It’s also quite serious and very rampant as our diets around the planet consist of high level of simple sugar that does quite a havoc for metabolic health which as a secondary effect is one major leading cause in modern life and modern problems, not only for middle age and older life. We must always remind and mention it as it should never get underestimated. And that issue is “insulin sensitivity”. If our body has a challenge to process sugar you have the “insulin resistant” problems and diabetes, generally which result into blood glucose going completely crazy with little control of its levels. Now that leads me into asking the question – could this crimson spices have the power and benefit with the balance as you age and that problem that is rampant on every corners on our society right now?
And, not so shockingly again – research is slowly suggesting the idea that certain saffron extracts might, just maybe, help out the levels of your blood sugar. Of course those studies and result are emerging only so please have in mind: this is emerging area of science! Still it does get a level of importance to the saffron story that we’re constructing here. Some small studies in clinical trials, especially on groups with high insulin resistance levels suggest a notable improvement, even at a dosage that was used by common cooking in other dishes as you saw already so there wasn’t need to add “extra amounts”. But before we make those wild declarations let’s hold ourselves and our excitements before adding that magical claim: much more study needed before its suggested for treatment for that problem for people who need constant management of those levels. Still – I’m personally quite amazed and intrigued for potential application, mostly of those preventative capacities, even at just those standard, culinary levels of dosage.
With that all said: What about downsides? Can Saffron go terribly bad at some point or some doses that may be alarming? Is all this just marketing ploy and how those side effects might not be all too clear so everyone goes ahead buying without considering? Lets find that next.
11. A Dose of Caution: Potential Side Effects and Interactions
As the popular and known statement has its firm truth “Everything in moderation”. Saffron as all ingredients needs to be assessed from the “safety side” as too much good, often becomes a problem in other aspects as the chemistry and bio mechanisms works a lot more complex in humans as they seem. Luckily for those curious and cautious – it has an extremely well documentation as side effect profile isn’t particularly long. I suppose after spending quite significant time talking how powerful those threads are – one would imagine some kind of huge warning before proceeding further – but its mild thankfully!
Overconsumption might cause a stomachache, vomiting or headaches in some cases but with very, very high dosage that would be borderline dangerous if it gets to that level. A dose higher then 5 grams on daily basis might cause something which has some documented danger – like nausea or diarrhea so it does bring a caution not to go overboard. Another serious aspect needs mentioning and it might seem as most common side effects, are for pregnant woman where regular use should be under medical advise only – not your random suggestion you’ve received online – if at all it should even be there during that phase as precaution measure. I’m obviously not recommending this – seek professional medical consultation whenever possible in that crucial life phase and its health-specific issues. Also it may interact negatively with blood-thinning or depression medications, so – a key to everything mentioned in that case would be that a talk with your medical professional before considering introducing Saffron – or in fact changing and altering anything at all if you already have a program under medical supervisor! In any case though these side-effects don’t make you run for the hills from trying to integrate a bit of saffron to your dietary intake now and then for all of the benefits mentioned previously!
Lets face the reality; the most limiting factors of this plant isn’t its health factor its the darn cost which now lead us naturally to next big subject!
12. Incorporating Saffron into Your Life: More Than Just Paella
Okay, so if this story about Saffron and its mysterious magical benefits is making you all intrigued and keen, like me (admit it! even just slightly), how does a regular soul incorporate it to that daily culinary habits? Is it like those expensive teas that should come with some type of “ritual”? Fortunately, No, even though saffron does tend to scream some type of high culture lifestyle with a higher cost value that it carries around (especially given what is written till now!). While you will notice saffron will always and in most circumstances bring this subtle flavor that tends to transform regular everyday recipes that most humans are used to it also seems it can adapt into our lives and kitchens very naturally (provided you are okay with the price you are going to spend).
And let’s move beyond fancy Spanish rice dishes, here. Consider adding a pinch of these threads in the regular curries or add in the simmering of that lentil soups (as i did for that experimentation part of writing this text). Maybe for the “adventure” spirit – incorporate it into some of those deserts that you make from time to time that might actually make you “discover new level of tasting experience that changes your mind about some old food choices that always felt, as far taste experience, as very lacking!. If the food is not on your radar all that much as habit try just saffron in some of your standard morning beverage – a couple of threads of this glorious crimson color added to the herbal tea – that little change might transform whole “drinking-tea” experience to more elegant affair for those long contemplation moments in life. But if those small experiments and additions to the foods is still not too much on your everyday interest, try incorporating it with oil you usually use for your dishes – that golden colour that is produced on an oil extraction or oil infused with some level of saffron – it not only gives that magical look but also, those threads are now releasing powerful molecules into oil – it now makes this “usual” everyday ingredient, become extraordinary!
Be it whatever creative way it gets integrated, be it the food preparation or infused oils or even adding just couple to your most ordinary drinks that you tend to reach out throughout those work day – the benefits don’t require some type of high level ritual or crazy effort on part to introduce to the diet in my observation during this week so it certainly won’t cost too much effort too try this plant. There’s, in my humble opinion as it happens (and even now for me while being cynical journo), an amazing possibilities this spice unlocks from what I can observe – that may turn up as truly worthy. That naturally makes my thought go into the reason for the limitation that does impact incorporating this plant regularly: its the bloody high price of it! Which makes me, as one curious soul who seeks more logic and explanation behind every purchase: How costly does it needs to be?!
13. The Saffron Obsession: The Price of Golden Spice
Alright lets discuss the most prominent reason of the all reason on “why not” with that lovely little red gold as someone pointed before, which as many of you already are screaming loud: why is it so damn expensive? Is it because those instagram accounts are selling “luxury” vibe or something more substantial at stake that keeps driving this “golden” prices up that tend to make it a “luxury item” rather then some daily aid that you may require for a little push or extra benefits as we discussed here. Well, we touched earlier on some key points behind this “exclusivity” of the plant – its all too time intensive labor process (it involves hand picking the plant part – and we are talking about each single threads not petals) – a truly labor intense and difficult activity which you may never find the machine capable of handling in years ahead given just how fragile the process and tiny the flower structure.
And in case you do forget we only tend to speak and focus of about this small parts that have the required active component for health purpose, or the rich and deep color or that magnificent scent: just the “stigmas” of the Crocus sativus flower – which for single gram there need to be around 150 single flowers – quite something isn’t it? A good reason the plant is considered one the most high valued plants, just by virtue of how labor intense and low yielding the output is per process! Also with that in mind consider that most, real saffron available for sales do not come through big processing plants, like many common spices. rather its often the small independent farmers that make production their sole focus – so you get that premium price mostly by the labor cost in it more than all those luxury lifestyle and Instagram ads or some other commercial “spin” that tend to increase that market driven valuation that sometimes doesn’t translate into a high real value output for buyer, at end day! It is almost seems quite natural that it has such an increased cost because that high premium is all just cost-effect of difficult labor and natural availability itself which only has some selected regions in the world which further drives up those market driven rates by basic economics principles that does add in cost but no additional added values, unlike luxury marketing would have people to believe. All these make, as I finally acknowledge that the premium for Saffron is mostly real rather than market fluff as one tends to approach most of these type products! With all said that – it leads naturally to ask one single crucial questions that keeps going in cycle in my mind now and i assume, might be similar as those question that may pass through your head
14. Saffron and Longevity: A Tentative Conclusion
Okay, here we are: that all important moment to address the actual main thing that we should keep it in center of all that is talked throughout the article: does the crimson spice hold the actual promise of support healthy aging – like actual true support and that this long read you went through – does it hold any meaning and significance to your own lifespan. And after doing significant amount of deep dives I have reached to my own humble position, after that extensive week on research and experimentation that this journey of research provided me with all types of fascinating insights in the mysterious aspect and capacity of one particular flower stigma to offer various powerful and potential long life extension promises. While I know more detailed answers with rigorous experiments on the level we might not have as a species, I’ve got enough knowledge that allows my skeptical soul finally acknowledge this “Saffron-hype” with slightly less “suspicion” now, and slowly I acknowledge the “promise” this spice brings for long and healthier years
And lets get very straight and very clear, with emphasis for any random person coming by with all claims to all miraculous wonders: No singular ingredient or plant of any sorts does bring that “Magical long life ticket that you may need!” Even If there are promises they are never 100%, always and all too likely have their share of downsides and a bunch of uncertainty behind their scientific validity that is most commonly found within this sector with “anti-aging solutions and natural alternative”. It simply doesn’t exist yet despite how bad your search might seem online! Now, before jumping the ship lets keep it honest: while some level of evidence suggests some quite solid promises for positive effect (particularly as potential “preventative measure”), these results are quite far and few – especially on some “longevity”, life time extension claims on humans in very controlled experiments that could provide higher scientific authority on matter to consider this, fully conclusive results for general usage by people without consultation from professionals. With the growing scientific research it does feel with every single step there is a greater truth emerging about powerful molecules in threads, that seem to play more role with protecting and adding extra benefits and functions that help maintain better physical health through different ages and different levels that people find themselves with each following phase in lives. This has its significant appeal when there’s this general interest in finding these type of approaches for alternative solution within this “anti-aging space”, and here lies also that most intriguing thing about all that research into that aspect as one starts seeing this with clear head, instead jumping into all too popular “instant solution that guarantees all answers” that most brands tend to make the claims about. And with all that research behind me and experience i find the promise with caution does indeed seems worth and has solid bases on facts and experiments that seems are coming slowly out more and more on everyday.
15. Personal Musings: Saffron’s Mysterious Future
And as I sit here looking that very vial of the bright crimson strings on my table; and remembering about those small cups I poured a pinch or two in those experiments over this long week – it has transformed from being a spice and occasional luxury addition to the cooking pot and became also an idea; it is an idea about how something that has a history which predates written human civilization could be still having some lessons, clues and new pathways for current understanding and challenges that we face when looking at “optimal and extended living”, now in modern ages of all these technology, complex medicine. Its somehow gives this hope that sometimes wisdom that can benefit lives can actually be discovered when we approach those well know common knowledge ideas and plant and just revisit them with more detailed perspectives which leads to some great understanding!
For me – my spice shelf won’t be same after all this, neither the approach to the health sector that looks at what our bodies can have, instead of solely focusing on all external treatments with medicine – which of course i have utmost appreciation as I truly appreciate its existence but it can work in complimentary approaches! But those little threads seem to hold more stories than just a colorful and luxury edition. They remind us that we are so often just re-discovering that what might be perceived old often tends to reveal new truths when there is more depth and patience involved during investigation. Which gives hope as I keep myself open and observant and with open minded lens – because only then one can have potential and capabilities to “see” what truly it can offer. As I sip my morning saffron infused tea it gives that subtle golden hint as I slowly keep on adding pinch to my cooking whenever there is something new, but with all newly gained knowledge and open curiosity of mind, instead just putting saffron only to impress at next party and I will, i suppose be adding much more meaning, hope for longer and better quality in this wonderful journey ahead called “life”.