Medicinal Plants : Carthamus tinctorius

Name

Safflower

Biological Name

Carthamus tinctorius
Asteraceae

Other Names

Safflower, American saffron, dyers' saffron, false saffron
Chenthoorakam, Kamalottara, Kusumbha, Kusum

Parts Used

Flowers

Description

Safflower is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean countries and cultivated in Europe and the U.S. Its glabrous, branching stem grows from 1 to 3 feet high and bears alternate, sessile, oblong, or ovate-lanceolate leaves armed with small, spiny teeth. The orange-yellow flowers grow in flower heads about 1 to 11/2 inches across. This thistle is valued for its orange-yellow flowers in summer and for the oil contained in its seeds.

Remedies For

Action

Diaphoretic, diuretic.

Uses

Taken hot, safflower tea produces strong perspiration and has thus been used for colds and related ailments. It has also been used at times for its soothing effect in cases of hysteria, such as that associated with chlorosis.

Powdered seeds made into a poultice used to ally inflammation of the womb after child birth.

Flowers of this herb is useful for jaundice.

Dosage

Infusion: Steep 1 tsp. flowers in 1 cup water. Take 1 to 2 cups a day.

Tincture. A dose is from 20 to 60 drops.

Safety

Do not use when congested.

No information about the safety of this herb is available.