The study involved 25 pensioners in Italy,. One group was randomly given a saffron pill daily for three months followed by a placebo for the next three months, while the second group received the placebo pill for the first three months and then the saffron pill for the next three months.

The researchers report that all patients taking saffron p[ill had improvements in vision. But these improvements disappeared when they stopped taking the pill.

The study, by Professor Silvia Bisti and colleagues at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science, University of L'Aquila, Italy, found saffron has high antioxidant value. It also seems to protect the vision cells called photoreceptors from damage caused by aging.

"Patients' vision improved after taking the saffron pill," said lead researcher professor Silvia Bisti, of the University of Sydney. "When they were tested with traditional eye charts, a number of them could read one or two lines smaller than before, while others reported they could read newspapers and books again."

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) happens to be the leading cause of blindness the world over. Professor Bisti and her team are now working on the ideal dose of saffron to be given to AMD patients.

Saffron is a spice found mainly in Southwest Asia and is extracted from the flower of the saffron crocus. Traditionally the herb is used extensively in Persian and continental cuisines. It has been reported to be beneficial in reducing menstrual pain and well as diarrhea and nerve pain.

But clinical evidence has not been extensive. The above study on saffron may open up another use for this useful herb.