Golden spice of goodness

There are plenty of ways to incorporate saffron into your beauty regime and give your health a much-needed boost. Read on!

When it comes to beauty and self-care, we're spoiled with brands and concoctions of various types, each boasting miracle ingredients to brighten our skin, tone our complexion or reverse time to stop wrinkles. But these blends also come with a host of other ingredients that react to sensitive skin, at times aggravating the original condition or causing side-effects. At times like these, natural ingredients can give quick relief and add nutritious benefits to your routine. 

Saffron, for instance, is a staple ingredient in most residents' kitchen cabinet, but the crimson-toned spice packs in more than just flavouring for dishes. It is an antioxidant with several uses that benefit the human body - from both inside and out.

Goodness in each strand

Inflammation, appetite control, mood improvement and memory assistance are among the many benefits Saffron has been linked to, so mixing the ingredients into a drink or meal can do wonders. On the outside, each little piece has the ability to treat certain skin conditions, ranging from pigmentation to acne.

Lift tans, get toned

Cool breezes are now swirling around Dubai and the sun's hidden behind gloomy clouds, but for some of us, the post-summer tan remains. Saffron has the ability to ease patchy skin and help restore your natural skin tone. And mixing it with another natural ingredient, such as rose water can pack in a boost.

Choose a container of your choice. Ideally a spray bottle would be great for convenience, but you could also use a regular bottle with an airtight cap. Pour 100 ml of rosewater into the bottle, followed by around five to six strands of saffron. Mix it gently, close the opening, and let the strands soak for one to two days at room temperature.

Start by washing your face with a cleanser of your choice, then use the DIY toner. If you've used a spray bottle, spritz the mix directly to face (with eyes closed, of course) then pat the skin dry. If using a regular bottle, soak a cotton pad in the mix and gently swipe it across your face and neck.

Paste on, acne off

For acne-prone skin, it can take tonnes of research and trials to find a good brand that won't cause breakouts. Or you could skip the nuisance and turn to saffron to save the day. In case you're plagued by pimples, the best thing to do is to not touch them to avoid scars. Instead make your own little paste by grinding basil leaves with a few strands of saffron. Apply the blend to affected areas and leave it on to dry before washing it off with lukewarm water. You will need to do this several times to notice effects.

Swipe away dark circles

As we age, developing fine lines and dark circles are inevitable, but saffron can at least slow down the process, and at times, turn back time with regular use. If you are suffering from dark circles under your eyes that are often mistaken for being sleep-deprived, then keep reading. The bio-active compounds present in saffron work to reduce the appearance of dark circles, so to reap this reward, soak around three to four strands of saffron in a quarter cup of milk for around two hours at room temperature.

Use a tea strainer to drain clumps and remnants of saffron, then apply the liquid mix to the skin around your eyes. For controlled application, use a cotton pad and gently pat the area. Leave this on for about 10 minutes before washing it offer with cool water.

Steep to glow and de-stress

Sipping on saffron-infused tea is the quickest way to give yourself a glow-up and feel at peace. The tea, which can be enjoyed hot or cold - and refrigerated for up to a week, is also a great way to stick to your New Years' fitness resolutions.

There are few things to keep in mind when preparing the tea blend - skip the grinder and extract saffron with mortar-and-pestle instead. This will keep its compounds intact and comfortable steep goodness into your cup. For the base, use white tea, as other types lend their own flavour; and finally, don't let the strands of saffron soak in too long, else your drink will end up being unbearably bitter.

Now for the main act: Beat quarter teaspoon of dry saffron strands with a pinch of sugar into powder form. Then boil white tea in a saucepan and try one of three options - cinnamon and slices of ginger; cardamom, cinnamon and rose petals; or lemon slices and with mint leaves. You can also add milk to the first two options. Let them steep in the tea for five minutes with the flame off, followed by an additional four-minute saffron steep. Add honey as desired for sweetness. And voila!

How to store and PRESERVE saffron