Safflower: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is an annual herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family, also known as false saffron or dyer's safflower. When it blooms in summer, its flowers change from yellow to orange-red, and the harvested, sun-dried flowers can be used as medicine. It is not the same plant as saffron (Crocus sativus); the two differ in both source and botanical family, and only share some similarities in their effects, so it is important to tell them apart when buying.

In traditional medicine, safflower is pungent in taste and warm in nature, entering the Heart and Liver meridians. Its main uses are to invigorate blood and promote menstruation, and to dispel blood stasis and relieve pain, so it often appears in formulas for amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and traumatic injuries. In daily life, some people also steep a small amount of safflower in water or add it to food to make use of its warming, unblocking properties, but the amount should be kept small and it is not advisable to take large doses over the long term.

Besides its medicinal use, the petals of safflower can yield a natural pigment, and in ancient times they were used as a dye and for coloring food. Its seeds, known as safflower seeds, can be pressed for oil and are one of the common oilseed crops. Safflower is thus both a traditional medicinal herb and a crop of economic value.

It should be noted that safflower has a fairly strong blood-invigorating action, so pregnant women, women with heavy menstrual bleeding, and those with a tendency to bleed should avoid using it; people with special constitutions should consult a doctor or pharmacist before use. When selecting dried flowers, choose ones that are bright red, dry and free of mold; storing them in a cool, dry place will help keep their quality.