Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Herbal Medicines Journal 2538-2144 9 3 2024 05 01 Potential Therapeutic Effects of Saffron on Long COVID 1 12 220945 EN Xie Fangqing Institute of Applied Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus South, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany Journal Article 2025 05 17 Individuals with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, alternatively called long COVID, have been found to have<br />traces of the virus, viral RNA, and viral proteins. The mechanism behind long COVID is related to a destabilized<br />and hyperactive immune system, impaired oxygen delivery caused by micro-clotting, chronic inflammation, and<br />disruption of cellular energy metabolism. No specific treatment has been developed for long COVID to date.<br />However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) suggests that saffron may help activate blood circulation, dissipate<br />blood stasis (thrombosis), and toxins (free radicals). Saffron contains crocin, crocetin, and safranal, which have<br />anti-inflammatory properties, promote blood circulation, scavenge blood clots, and enhance oxygen transport as<br />well as diffusivity. Moreover, safranal has protective effects on the central nervous system (CNS), and is an anti-<br />ischemic agent. Thus, saffron tea may have therapeutic effects on long COVID, either alone or in combination<br />with anti-viral capsules of 1,8-cineole, which is an over-the-counter medicine to combat respiratory diseases.<br />Keywords: Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, Thrombosis (micro-clots), Crocus sativus Linn (Saffron),<br />Eucalyptol (1,8-Cineole), SARS-CoV-2 https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_220945_0c903daa76f1cc8d461f7ae7daf90168.pdf