History

Saffron use has been traced to ancient Egyptian and Roman times when it was first used for medicinal value, and only later becoming valued as a spice and dye. The word?saffron?is thought to originate from the Arabic?zafaran?, meaning yellow. Folkloric uses of saffron have included its use as a sedative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, and diaphoretic. During the 16th through 19th centuries, saffron was used in various opioid preparations, including laudanum and black drop for pain relief.