No woman would turn down a solution to alleviating the symptoms of PMS and while there are over-the-counter pills that can take care of the problem, many women are interested in turning to more natural alternatives to treating issues like mood swings, cramps, bloating, and irritability. Saffron just so happens to be one of those ingredients worth looking into the next time your menstrual cycle rears its ugly head.

Saffron has been around for many, many years and has been heavily used in India, both as an ingredient in cuisine as well as in Ayurvedic medicine. This spice is used in cooking for both flavor and as a food coloring. Derived from the iris family, saffron comes in the form of dried stigma, which are tiny threadlike strands, that have to be painstakingly handpicked from each flower. Because of this traditional, yet tedious process, saffron is considered to be one of the most expensive spices in the world. The health benefits of saffron are widely known and while it has been prominent in India for some time, even the Egyptians found a use for this spice as a way to treat kidney problems.

Saffron has the natural ability to relieve stomach pains, digestive problems, and can even treat certain symptoms of depression and mood swings. For these reasons, saffron is quickly becoming a new home remedy for getting rid of the symptoms associated with PMS. Studies have shown that taking saffron capsules daily have been effective at reducing the negative symptoms that come with PMS. For women that experience mood swings and depression during their menstrual cycle, saffron has the ability to affect the brain’s levels of serotonin, which is a chemical that helps to promote a sense of relaxation and calm. Since saffron is also able to treat digestive problems and stomach pains, this makes it ideal for treating PMS-related symptoms of cramps and bloating.

Saffron supplements can be purchased at the store but before choosing this product as a solution, it helps to run the idea past your doctor first. Saffron supplements do come with some side effects, which are important to be aware of before taking them. The most commonly reported side effects of taking saffron include nausea, vomiting, fluctuations in appetite, and drowsiness. If you notice such side effects as rapid speaking, an elated mood, anxiety, rashes, hives, swelling of the throat or mouth, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, let your doctor know right away and stop using the supplements. As with any supplement, it is possible to overdose. Signs to be on the watch for when it comes to overdosing on saffron include: severe vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin and yellow of the whites of the eyes), bloody urine or diarrhea, vertigo (spinning sensation), severe confusion and dizziness, and nosebleeds.

Be sure to consult with your doctor about your menstrual symptoms and get their professional opinion as to whether saffron is a viable solution for you.

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