Safflower

Species: Carthamus tinctorius

Family: Asteraceae

Related Genera: Helianthus, Rudbeckia, Solidago, Tagetes

Names: Safflower, Färberdistel, Sallflower, Beni, Chimichanga, Honghua

History & Folklore: Safflower is one of humanitie’s oldest crops. Ancient Egyptians found the flower pleasing to the eye, used it for dying their fabrics and included it in garlands placed on mummies. Safflower garlands were also found in the tomb of pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Safflower, along with Cinnamomum tamala (Indian Cassia) is also part of a herbal tea, Tsheringma, named after the Bhutanese Goddess of longevity, wealth and prosperity.

Safflower was also known as Carthamine in the nineteenth century.

Common Uses: The flowers are used in food flavouring and coloring and also as a natural textile dye (prior to the invention of aniline dyes).  They are also used as a susbtitute for the more expensive  Saffron and are sometimes called Bastard Saffron. Safflower concentrate is also part of some soft drinks.

The seeds yield two different types of oil, which are neutral in flavor and color: one is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (more than olive oil) and is used in cooking similar to Sunflower oil. The other is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid) and is used in painting, particularly with white paints, in place of linseed oil (which has a yellow tint).

Safflower seed is used as an alternative to sunflower seed in birdfeeders.

Medicinal & Toxicological: The dried flowers are said to help against menstrual pain and smaller lesions. In traditional Chinese medicine they are used to alleviate pain, increase circulation and reduce bruising. In India the flowers are used for their laxative and diaphoretic properties, and are also used against measles, fevers and eruptive skin conditions in children. Safflower plants may produce insuline.

Sources: Wikipedia English, Wikipedia German, Alchemy Works