J. Indian bot. Soc. e-ISSN:2455-7218, ISSN:0019 - 4468 Vol. 99 (3&4) 2020:115-125 Received on April 11, 2020 Accepted on April 27, 2020 www.indianbotsoc.org ETHNOMEDICINAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CROCUS SATIVUS (SAFFRON) 1 2 3 MUNIT SHARMA, RISHI THAKUR AND MUNISH SHARMA 1 Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar 2, 3 Department of Plant Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur, Kangra Email:: munishsharma785@gmail.com Date of online publication: 30th June 2020 DOI:10.5958/2455-7218.2020.00017.0 India is one of the richest ethnobotanical hub in the world. Its rich diversity is yet have to be fully documented, utilized and conserved different medicinal plant species. Saffron has been a significant constituent formula of our prehistoric physicians and homoeopaths in the field of Indian systems of medicine. More than 86 species of saffron are distributed around the Mediterranean region to Indian subcontinent. The Jammu and Kashmir are one of the top saffron (Crocus sativus) growing regions of the world. History of Saffron in Kashmir valley was first mentioned in 'Rajatarangini', written by Kalhana, a 12th century poet even before the reign of King Lalitaditya in 750 AD. It is commonly known as Kesar,Kumkum in Sanskrit and in Kashmiri language it is commonly known as 'Koung'. Saffron is grown uparound an altitude of 1585 to 1677 m above mean sea level under temperate climatic conditions in Kashmir. In Kashmir, soil is heavy textured consists of silty clay loam as the predominant texture in upper horizons and silty clay in lower horizons. The soils are calcareous in nature with average organic carbon and calcium carbonate contents of 0.36 and 4.5%, respectively. The soil is slightly alkaline with pH ranging from 6.2 to 8.0 and -1 with electrical conductivity between 0.08dsm -1 and 0.32dsm . Higher yields coincide with higher pH values.Saffron is the most valuable and most expensive plant species in the world. Its filaments are infact the dried stigmas of the saffron flower. The qualities of saffron are all dependent on its colouring power (crocin concentration), odour (safranal) and taste (picrocrocin). The high safranal content are responsible for best quality of saffron. Essential oils are responsible for its all therapeutic properties (Sujata et al. 1992). This plant species shows an active growth from autumn season to late spring season and also survives the summer drought. Saffron is bulbous in nature, autumn flowering and perennial characteristics belong to Iris family (Dhar et al. 1988).Flowers of the Saffron have three bright, orange-red stigmas which are mainly considered as true saffron. Saffron Saffron is cultivated in the less confined limited geographical area in the Jammu and Kashmir. It is used in treating various diseases due to many medicinal values. Saffron is linked with the Kashmiri cuisine that is traditionally being used and embodies the rich cultural heritage of the region. In Kashmir saffron cultivation is peculiar and it is a legendry crop of the well-drained fields of Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir. It is famous for production of the very high quality saffron. It also interests both scientists and consumers due to its immense value in both spices and medicinal properties. Although, in the recent trends, India ranks second only after Iran in terms of both area and production, but also ranks fifth in terms of productivity among all the top seven saffron producing countries of the world. However, Saffron production is currently suffering on several counts, falling productivity and unscientific post-harvest management are the major concerns. Some other factors that are responsible for the decline of saffron industry in Kashmir are, lack of availability of good-quality corms as seed material, poor soil fertility, lack of assured irrigation, infestation by rodents and diseases, poor post-harvest management, improper marketing facilities and increased urbanization on saffron lands. This legendary crop is under threat of extinction and warrants collective attention of researchers, farmers and policy makers. So, the aim of the present review paper is to collect complete report of the status, distribution, and uses of saffron from different region of Jammu and Kashmir . Keywords:Crocus sativus, Ethnobotany, Iridaceae, J&K, India