Safflower

Botanical Name

Family Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
Carthamus tinctorius

Common Names

Dyer's Saffron, American Saffron, Fake/False Saffron, Bastard Saffron, Zaffer, Hong Hua (Chinese), Azafrán (Spanish)

Cautions

Do not take flowers or seeds during pregnancy. However, the purified seed oil is safe.

Description

Safflower is one of about fifteen species of Cathamus, and thought to be native to Iran and northwestern India, and possibly Africa. Often cultivated, it is also found in North America and the Far East. Safflower is an annual herb, growing to three feet in open areas. It has long, spiny leaves with six oblong to oval leaflets and groups of yellow flowers arising from the leaf axils. The flowers are gathered as they begin to wilt. The calyx and inferior ovary are removed, and the remainder is put in the warm shade to dry as direct sunlight destroys the colouring pigment. The Safflower or thistle oil is extracted from the embryos of the fruits.

History

In 19th century North American herbal medicine, safflower was used to induce sweating, to promote the onset of menstruation and as a treatment for measles.

Key Actions

antiseptic
abortifacient
expectorant
induces sweating
inhibits tumors
purgative
pneumonic (helpful to the lungs)
stimulates menstruation

Key Components

carthamone
lignans
polysaccharide
linoleic acid (55-88%)
linolenic acid

Medicinal Parts

Flowers, seeds, seed oil.
The polysaccharide in the plant has shown to stimulate immune function in mice.

Traditional Uses

In Chinese herbal medicine, the flowers are given to treat stomach tumors, stimulate menstruation, relieve abdominal pain, to cleanse and heal wounds and sores, and to treat measles.

In Anglo-American herbal medicine, the flowers are given as a treatment for fever and skin rashes.

In Ayurvedic medicine, the flowers are used for scabies, arthritis, and chest pains. The oil is used prophylactically for arteriosclerosis.

The unpurified seed oil is used as a purgative.

Research indicates that the flowers can reduce the likelihood of coronary artery disease and lower cholesterol levels.

Infusions are used to soothe coughs and bronchial conditions.