Safflower is a plant which flowers and seed oil also used as medicine. Safflower is opposite to saffron, has an aroma that is very rich, but more suggestive of a sweet, chocolaty, tobacco. Another difference is that, unlike saffron, the taste is much weaker than the smell and taste become much less when the safflower is cooked.

While cooking safflower seed oil is used as cooking oil.  Safflower can act as ayurvedic medicine for diabetes and can help reduce the risk of heart diseases. Safflower oil may also help to strengthen the immune system, thereby improving overall health.

Safflower seed oil is used to treat fever, tumors, coughs, breathing problems, clotting conditions, pain, heart disease, including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis) and stroke, chest pain, and painful injuries. Some people use it for inducing sweating; and as a laxative, stimulant, antiperspirant, and expectorant to help loosen mucus. Safflower oil is used for absent or painful menstrual periods; safflower flower may cause abortion (By nature it is hot).

The most common form of osteoporosis occurs in women after menopause. Usual medications for osteoporosis can be expensive and may have many side effects. While safflower flower medications do have benefits in reducing fractures in those with osteoporosis, if safflower flower has taken earlier, you can prevent osteoporosis. Prevention is the main goal of a healthy life.

How to Consume:

Safflower Petals

Safflower Seeds

Safflower Oil

Safflower Petals (Dried ones): Safflower petals are also used as an herbal tea variety. Safflower tea, may be beneficial, especially in postmenopausal women. Safflower tea may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.  In coloring textiles, dried safflower flowers the orange-red pigment carthamin is used as a textile dye and a food coloring. Safflower is also used in manufacturing, to color cosmetics.

Safflower Seeds: Safflower seeds are herbaceous, and these seed oil can be consumed orally as a diabetes medicine and may improve blood sugar levels. Safflower oil may also contribute to maintaining the overall good health of the heart by thinning the blood, thus preventing blood clots. It also has a very high content of omega-6 fatty acids that can help maintain a healthy balance of cholesterol levels in the body and can help you to lose weight.

Safflower Seed Oil: Safflower seed oil is also rich in oleic acid, which can prove to be beneficial for good hair growth and prevention of dandruff. Safflower oil contains healthful fats called unsaturated fatty acids. When consumed in moderation, it may offer health benefits, such as blood sugar control, better heart health, and lower levels of inflammation. People can use it topically to treat dry skin, and it is safe to use when cooking at high temperatures. Safflower seed oil is also used as a paint solvent.

Note:

Consult your physician before use, if pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition and on medications. Whoever is consuming blood thinning tablets for heart or any other problems, they must not consume safflower in anyways. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if any adverse reaction occurs. Keep out of reach of children.

How to Store: Shelf Life – 24 Months. Blended vegetable oil lasts for about two years unopened. Their shelf life reduces to about a year once the bottle is opened. If the oil is stored properly.

Other Names:

Alazor, American Saffron, Bastard Saffron, Benibana, Benibana Oil, Benibana Flower, Cártamo, Carthame, Carthame des Teinturiers, Carthamus tinctorius, Chardon Panaché, Dyer’s Saffron, Fake Saffron, False Saffron, Hing Hua, Honghua, Huile de Carthame, Kusumbha, Kusum Phool, Safflower Nut Oil, Safflower Oil, Safran Bâtard, Safranon, Zaffer, Zafran.