Photo: Emilie40 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Kumkuma कुङ्कुम
Crocus sativus · Iridaceae
Also known as: Saffron, Kesar, Kashmiri Saffron, Concentrated Saffron Extract, Pure Kashmiri Saffron
Part used: Stigma
Kumkuma (Crocus sativus) is saffron, the dried stigma of a crocus flower and the most expensive spice in the world. Ayurveda uses it for complexion, women's health, digestion and as a Rasayana. It takes about 150 flowers to produce a single gram, which is why adulteration is so common.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Crocus sativus
- Part used: Stigma
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: A few threads (30–100 mg) in milk or formulas; used in complexion and tonic preparations (Kumkumadi).
Kumkuma in other languages
Introduction
Kumkuma (saffron, Crocus sativus), or Kesar, is the precious golden-red stigma prized for complexion, mood and women's health. A tridoshic, warming Rasayana, a few threads carry remarkable colour, aroma and potency.
Classification
Of the Iridaceae family, Kumkuma is grouped among the Varnya (complexion) and Rasayana dravyas. Its pungent-bitter taste and warming potency balance all three doshas and brighten the complexion.
Uses & benefits
Saffron is a Varnya drug used for complexion and pigmentation, taken with milk and applied as a paste. Classical texts also describe it as Hridya and give it in low mood, and in women's health for painful menstruation. It is used in minute quantity — a few strands is a dose.
Kumkuma for complexion
Its most celebrated use — a Varnya drug, taken with milk and applied as a paste for skin tone and radiance.
Kumkuma in pregnancy
Traditionally taken with milk in the later months across north India, a cultural practice with a long history.
Kumkuma for menstrual pain
Used in dysmenorrhoea and irregular periods, its antispasmodic character easing cramping.
Kumkuma for low mood
Traditionally used for melancholy, and the subject of reasonable modern research in mild depression.
Kumkuma for digestion
A Deepana drug used for poor appetite, taken in tiny quantities.
Kumkuma as a Vajikarana drug
Named among the classical reproductive tonics.
Kumkuma for cough
Used in Kasa with hoarseness, taken with honey or milk.
Kumkuma for headache
Applied as a paste to the forehead in classical practice for heat headache.
Kumkuma for the eyes
Described as Chakshushya and used in classical eye preparations.
Kumkuma in Kumkumadi Taila
The lead drug of the classical facial oil used for complexion, pigmentation and scarring.
Dosage — how much to take
A few threads (30–100 mg) in milk or formulas; used in complexion and tonic preparations (Kumkumadi). Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Kumkuma?
The citations held for Kumkuma in this catalogue are: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Karpuradi Varga).
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Kumkuma?
Described as Varnya and tridoshic. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga.
What is Kumkuma traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Saffron is a Varnya drug used for complexion and pigmentation, taken with milk and applied as a paste. Classical texts also describe it as Hridya and give it in low mood, and in women's health for painful menstruation. It is used in minute quantity — a few strands is a dose.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Kumkuma?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Kumkuma classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Kumkuma carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Kumkuma is used medicinally?
The part used is Stigma.
How much Kumkuma is taken, and how?
A few threads (30–100 mg) in milk or formulas; used in complexion and tonic preparations (Kumkumadi). Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Kumkuma be avoided?
Used in tiny amounts (a few threads); large doses are unnecessary and best avoided in pregnancy.
Where does Kumkuma grow?
Saffron is harvested from the stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, cultivated in the Kashmir valley and a few other cool, dry highlands.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga
Described as Varnya and tridoshic. - Classical Saundarya texts — Kumkumadi Taila
Principal herb of the classical beauty oil.
Modern research
-
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Hausenblas HA, et al.. Journal of Integrative Medicine (2013)
A meta-analysis of RCTs finding saffron (Kumkuma) significantly reduced depressive symptoms versus placebo and performed comparably to standard antidepressants.
View study doi:10.3736/jintegrmed2013056 -
Crocus sativus L. in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial
(see source). Phytotherapy Research (2005)
A double-blind placebo-controlled RCT reporting saffron improved mild-to-moderate depression.
View study doi:10.1002/ptr.1647
Safety & precautions
Used in tiny amounts (a few threads); large doses are unnecessary and best avoided in pregnancy.
Where it grows
Saffron is harvested from the stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, cultivated in the Kashmir valley and a few other cool, dry highlands.
Frequently asked questions
What is saffron used for in Ayurveda?
Kumkuma is used for complexion and skin tone, menstrual pain, low mood, poor appetite and cough, and as a Rasayana. It is the lead ingredient of Kumkumadi Taila, the classical facial oil.
What is the dose of saffron?
Just 30 to 125 mg per day — a few strands, not a spoonful. It is normally steeped in warm milk. Doses above 5 g at once are genuinely toxic, so this is a spice where the small dose matters.
Is saffron safe during pregnancy?
Small culinary quantities in milk are traditional across north India and generally considered fine. Larger medicinal doses are not — saffron stimulates the uterus in quantity. Ask your physician rather than following the custom blindly.
How do I know if saffron is genuine?
Real saffron releases colour slowly in cold water and the threads stay red; dyed material bleeds colour immediately and turns white. Genuine threads are trumpet-shaped at one end. Given the price, adulteration with safflower, turmeric and dyed corn silk is very common.
Does saffron help with depression?
There is reasonable modern evidence for saffron in mild to moderate depression, and a traditional use for low mood. It is not a treatment for clinical depression, which needs proper care — discuss it with your doctor rather than substituting it for treatment.
What is Kumkumadi Taila?
A classical facial oil built on saffron with sandalwood, manjistha and other herbs, applied at night for complexion, pigmentation and acne scarring. It is one of the best-known Ayurvedic cosmetic preparations.
Are there side effects of saffron?
At normal doses, few. Large doses cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness and bleeding, and doses above 5 g are toxic. Take advice if you are on blood thinners or blood-pressure medication.
