A Study of Therapeutic Attitudes and Tendencies Toward Saffron Among University Professors and Students in Herat Province
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58342/ghalibMj.V.2.I.2.12Keywords:
Saffron, Herbal Supplement, Public Health, Therapeutic Attitude, Antioxidant, HeratAbstract
Background: Saffron is a medicinal plant with a long history in traditional Asian medicine. Due to its active compounds such as crocin (the coloring agent of saffron) and safranal (the aroma agent of saffron), it possesses antioxidant, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, and memory-enhancing properties. This study was conducted in 2024 to examine the attitudes, awareness, and consumption experiences of saffron among educated individuals in Herat province, and to assess the possibility of its use as a therapeutic supplement.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with an analytical-quantitative approach. Data were collected during the mentioned period through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire from 400 faculty members, students, and staff of Herat, Jami, and Ghalib universities. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 with Student’s t-test and multiple regression analysis.
Results: The findings showed that 90.2% of participants had a positive attitude toward saffron as a medicinal supplement. The confirmed therapeutic properties of saffron included mood improvement (mean = 3.62), better sleep quality (mean = 3.57), and stress reduction. Cronbach’s alpha for instrument reliability was calculated at 0.834. Furthermore, 50% of respondents were from medical sciences fields and demonstrated higher awareness of saffron’s therapeutic benefits. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the willingness to use saffron therapeutically was significantly associated with prior positive experience, belief in natural remedies, and interest in herbal treatments (P < 0.05, overall regression coefficient = 0.421).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that saffron, as an herbal supplement with multiple therapeutic applications, enjoys very high acceptance (over 90%) within the academic community. Enhancing public education, conducting further clinical research, and incorporating saffron into complementary treatment programs can contribute to improving public health and reducing dependence on chemical pharmaceuticals.
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