Department of Education, Nara University of Education, Nara, Japan.
Phytomedicine. 2011 Jun 15;18(8-9):726-30. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.11.013. Epub 2011 Jan 15.
The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of saffron odor on symptoms unique to women, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and irregular menstruation.
Thirty-five women with a normal sense of smell were exposed to saffron odor for 20 min. Saliva samples were then collected to measure levels of cortisol (C), testosterone (T) and 17-β estradiol (E) by enzyme immunoassay, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered as a psychological test.
Saffron odor significantly decreased C levels after short-term stimulation (20 min) in both follicular and luteal phases. E level after exposure to saffron odor was increased in both the follicular- and luteal-phase groups. STAI score decreased in the follicular and luteal phases in the saffron group.
The present findings support the existence of physiological and psychological effects of saffron odor in women. Our results indicate that saffron odor exert some effects in the treatment of PMS, dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation. This is the first report to suggest that saffron odor may be effective in treating menstrual distress.
本研究旨在阐明藏红花气味对女性特有症状的影响，如经前期综合征（PMS）、痛经和月经不规律。
35 名嗅觉正常的女性接受了 20 分钟的藏红花气味刺激。然后收集唾液样本，通过酶联免疫吸附法测量皮质醇（C）、睾酮（T）和 17-β雌二醇（E）的水平，并进行状态-特质焦虑量表（STAI）作为心理测试。
藏红花气味在卵泡期和黄体期均显著降低了短期刺激（20 分钟）后的 C 水平。暴露于藏红花气味后，E 水平在卵泡期和黄体期两组均升高。藏红花组的 STAI 评分在卵泡期和黄体期均降低。
本研究结果支持藏红花气味对女性具有生理和心理影响。我们的结果表明，藏红花气味对 PMS、痛经和月经不规律的治疗有一定的效果。这是首个表明藏红花气味可能对治疗月经不适有效的报告。
