As we navigate the cooling temperatures of autumn and head into winter, our hard-earned summer glow is steadily slipping away. But just because the season of sun-kissed skin is long gone, it doesn’t mean we can’t maintain a warm-weather radiance year round.

As we delve into the Secret Garden of Ranavat Botanics to dig deep into the science that has powered our ancient formulations over the past 5,000 years, we’d be remiss not to spotlight one particular ingredient that’s worth more than its weight in gold—literally. Saffron, a revered spice more expensive per ounce than gold, boasts a rich history that can be traced back over three millennia. In Ancient Egypt, healers kept saffron in their medicinal arsenals to help relieve gastrointestinal ailments. It is said that even Cleopatra incorporated the sought-after spice into her bathing rituals. In Ancient Rome, saffron was used as a deodorizer. Today, the expensive spice may be best known for its culinary use as a popular seasoning, but its beauty benefits and medicinal properties are still tapped into by many. Below, we highlight just a handful of the ways this magical botanical can help enhance your wellbeing, from the inside out.