Benefits of The Safflower Plant
Safflower is a plant native to Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean countries. It comes from the family of Asteraceae, the genus Carthamus. The most commonly cultivated varieties are called “Carthamus tinctorius” L. Its fruits contain up to 2% volatile oils, with a maximum content of 0,8%. Safflower has many common names, including saffron thistle (due to the color of its flowers), bastard saffron, sommerkorn, taramira, and each.
Safflower is a herbaceous plant with a branched stem. The height can reach 2 meters in certain varieties. It has a fibrous root. The leaves are alternate and undivided (with the exception of one variety, which bears deeply divided leaves).
They can be narrow or oval-shaped, with an entire margin. Safflower blooms in summertime throughout the Mediterranean region, producing tiny yellow flowers that can cover entire fields.
Safflower produces seeds that contain about 5-20% of a colorless to yellow or brownish, odorless oil composed mainly of triglycerides.
This plant is known for its bright colors. It was used in many cultures as a dye since prehistoric times, even before the discovery of saffron by the Egyptians. The famous murals at Lascaux are believed to have been dyed with safflower. It is still used as a natural food coloring or to color margarine, but also in the manufacturing of paint and varnish.
Safflower oil has remarkable applications in pharmacology. We can cite its use for treating dermatitis, stomatitis, dry coughs, hypertension, arteriosclerosis. Safflower oil is also used for reducing cholesterol. It is even considered to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women, although this has yet to be proven.
Safflower can be consumed in many different ways: fully ripe seeds are commonly eaten raw or roasted, but they are often added to baked goods (bread, muffins, pastries, etc.). Safflower is also used in salads. Its flowers are often crystallized, candied, or used for producing jam.
The leaves of the safflower plant are edible and can be cooked as you would spinach or added to salads.
Safflower oil was once known as “poor man’s saffron” because it gives a yellowish color and the same flavor to the dish. However, it is often used as an adulterant of saffron because both taste similar, but it does not have the same beneficial properties.
Safflower flowers are believed to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which may cause liver damage. For this reason, it is not recommended to consume them. Instead, we recommend consuming safflower oil.
Safflower is a great food supplement and has many health benefits due to its high concentration of antioxidants and fatty acids. It can be used as a snack for between meals with carrot sticks and celery sticks, with hummus or tahini. You can make delicious dishes like safflower oil-based pesto sauce or some safflower soup (add it to your favorite recipe, do not forget the salt!).
Safflower seeds are also used in cooking fish and poultry. Just remember that you should not overcook them. Roasting is often the best option because it brings out the flavor. Soak the safflower seeds in hot water for half an hour before you cook to soften them. You can also grind these seeds into flour that you can use to replace gluten-rich ingredients (wheat, rye, etc.).
Safflower is a plant rich in polyphenols and other valuable phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and tocopherols. All these substances give safflower its beneficial effects on the body and help prevent many diseases. It can be consumed in different ways: whole, ground into flour, roasted and salted seeds, or even the oil pressed from it. Safflower oil is a great dietary supplement and you should try it today!
Safflower uses:
Traditionally, safflower is used as a herbal medicine for treating gallstones and kidney complaints. Safflower oil is still used today in the management of liver disease and as a detoxifying agent. It has also found use as a homeopathic remedy and hair treatment. Used externally, it can be made into creams and ointments that are applied to the skin for treating burns, wounds, and hemorrhoids. The oil also finds use as a massage oil.
Safflower is cultivated throughout the world today largely for its edible oil which is used in cooking, making margarine, and as an ingredient in many cosmetics. It has been recently identified by scientists from Ohio State University as an excellent source of chemoprotective agents.
More recent research indicates that safflower has many more beneficial properties. Scientists have now confirmed the diagnosis of an old homeopathic remedy for arthritis using safflower extract. The herb is used traditionally by herbalists to treat fever, pain, inflammation, and digestive disorders. However, it is the oil from the safflower plant which is most often used in herbal medicine.
The oil’s main active ingredient, known as carthamin, has a chemical structure similar to that of aspirin. It was found to be more effective against pain and inflammation than aspirin itself and without side effects such as stomach irritation or ulcers. The carthamin in safflower oil appears to function in a similar fashion to aspirin by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins.
The tea, which is made from boiling the leaves and flowers of the plant, has been used traditionally for treating fever, pain, inflammation, and digestive disorders. It helps reduce the symptoms of chronic infections such as bronchitis and cystitis.
The extract from the safflower plant is a useful indicator for detecting nitrate in water. The extract from the flowers of the plant has been used in herbal medicine to treat gallstones, kidney stones, and liver disorders.
Safflower oil is often sold as an alternative to sunflower oil and is used as a cooking and salad oil. Some people use it as a substitute for olive oil in cooking, although it does not have the same flavor and can impart a slightly bitter taste to food.
Safflower also finds use in manufacturing paints and dyes, cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes. The flowers are often made into the yellow dye. This dye gives foods an orange color when used as a food coloring.
Safflower oil has long been recommended by herbalists for relieving various arthritic conditions including gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It can be applied externally to the skin in massage oils or added to bathwater.
The tea made from safflower leaves is often prescribed in herbal medicine for treating fever and pain. It has been employed to treat rheumatic pains, bruises, and gout.
Safflower flowers have been used in the treatment of cholera and dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). Some people use it to induce menstruation because it is thought that regular bleeding helps to reduce breast cancer risk.
Safflower extract has been researched by scientists to determine its usefulness in treating various skin disorders. It appears to reduce the production of sebum (an oily substance produced by the glands in the skin) and may inhibit the formation of acne lesions.
Safflower seed extract shows promise as a chemoprotective agent against colon cancer. It is thought that phytosterols found in safflower may inhibit the growth of tumors by blocking the action of certain enzymes.
In herbal medicine, safflower has been used to treat arthritis and rheumatism, particularly when accompanied by a high fever. It is thought to reduce the inflammation associated with these conditions.
According to scientific research, safflower extract can be used not only for arthritis but also for cancer of the colon. It appears that an extract of safflower seed shows promise as a chemoprotective agent against colon cancer. Scientists have discovered that phytosterols in safflower extract may inhibit the growth of tumor cells by blocking certain enzymes, and it is possible that safflower could be used to treat other cancers as well.
Benefits of safflower oil:
Safflower, botanical name Carthamus tinctorius, is a flowering plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It has many health benefits and here are some of them.
Safflower oil is often used for cooking purposes due to its high degree of stability. Safflower oil is common cooking oil.
Safflower is also used in manufacturing paints and dyes, cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, and a variety of other products. Safflower flowers are often made into a yellow dye that gives foods an orange color when used as a food coloring.
Benefits:
Health benefits Great for skin Safflower oil is often used for cooking purposes due to its high degree of stability. It can be applied externally to the skin in massage oils or added to bathwater. The tea made from safflower leaves is often prescribed in herbal medicine for treating fever and pain. While safflower leaves are not related to the flower, they share similar health benefits.
Side effects:
Allergic reactions can occur in people who are sensitive to ragweed pollen and daisy-like flowers such as chrysanthemums and marigolds. Some mild gastrointestinal symptoms may also result. These symptoms include gas, bloating, and stomachache. The effects of safflower can vary depending on the form used.
Stability: Oil-based
Precaution: – Pregnant women should not use this herb as it might cause uterine contractions. You should consult your doctor before using this herb if you have heart disease, diabetes or if you are undergoing chemotherapy. It might cause skin reactions in some people so you should do a skin test before using this herb.
Pregnant women should not use this herb as it might cause uterine contractions. You should consult your doctor before using this herb if you have heart disease, diabetes or if you are undergoing chemotherapy. It might cause skin reactions in some people so you should do a skin test before using this herb.