“Although the exact mechanism of the anti-cancer effect of saffron is unclear, studies in animals and in human cells have even suggested that saffron can inhibit certain cancers.”-Amr Amin.

The Science Daily reports that a study shows that the expensive spice, Saffron, can stop some cancers.

Researchers at the United Arab Emirates University, fed saffron to 24 rats daily, for 24 weeks.  They also injected them with liver cancer inducing compounds.

For a control group they kept eight rats, who got the liver cancer injection, but received distilled water instead of saffron.

Only four of the 24 saffron fed rats developed cancerous growths, whereas six of the eight rats from the control group developed cancer.

The next phase of the study is to put humans with liver cancer on a saffron rich diet.

The expensive spice is made from the Crocus sativus flower.  It is also used to treat depression, inflammation, memory loss, and as an antioxidant.