Description

COMMON NAME Standardized: safflower
BOTANICAL NAME Carthamus tinctorius Plant Family: Asteraceae
OVERVIEW Safflower is more familiar to westerners as the source of vegetable oil but the petals of the native American plant make a pleasant tasting tea or use as a dye
PARTS USED Flower
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS Can be made for use as a dye, and whole petals used as tea
SUMMARY Traditionally, the crop was grown for its seeds, and used for coloring and flavoring foods, in medicines, and making red (carthamin) and yellow dyes.
In coloring textiles, dried safflower flowers are used as a natural dye source for the orange-red pigment Carthamin.Carthamin is also known, in the dye industry, as Carthamus Red or Natural Red 26
PRECAUTIONS Specific: Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. Not for use in patients with bleeding disorders, hemorrhagic diseases, or peptic ulcers. Use with anticoagulant medications should be under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.