Crocus. Saffron. The stigma and part of the style, dried, of Crocus sativus; Lin. Syst., Triaudria monogynia; native of Greece and Asia Minor; imported from Spain, France, and Naples.

Description. The stigma, and part of the style of the flower, forms a thin filament, broad at one end, and tripartite, of an orange-red colour. Dried carefully, without further preparation, it forms hay saffron, and when packed and pressed into parcels, cake saffron.

Prop. & Comp. Saffron moistened and pressed upon white paper leaves an orange-coloured stain, and yields to water and alcohol an orange-red colouring matter. It also contains a volatile oil. When pressed between folds of white filtering paper it leaves no oily stain.

Off. Prep. Tinctura Croci. Tincture of Saffron. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (Saffron, one ounce; proof spirit, twenty fluid ounces. Prepared by maceration and percolation.)

Saffron is also an ingredient of aromatic powder.

Therapeutics. Saffron has a very slight stimulant action; it is rarely given alone, and its chief use in medicinal preparations is as a colouring agent. It is supposed to be useful in the treatment of the exanthemata.

Dose. Of dried saffron, from 20 gr. upwards; of the tincture, 1/2 drm. to 2 drm.