Let's learn together about the medical benefits of safflower

The benefits and harms of safflower

Safflower, whose scientific name is: (Carthamus Tinctorius), is the flower of the safflower plant belonging to the aster family. This plant is considered a winter crop. Safflower is considered one of the indispensable elements in Iranian, Persian, Chinese, Indian and Egyptian cuisine. It was given in Egyptian times as gifts, and a large number of safflower wreaths were found on the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Safflower cultivation has been known for a long time, and its cultivation is of interest to farmers. Safflower is also used in food, dyes, and cosmetics, and it has other health benefits, as it is considered one of the most used plants in alternative medicine.

Let's learn together about the medical, therapeutic, and cosmetic benefits of safflower, how to use it, and the precautions for using it.

Benefits of safflower for the body

Safflower provides several health benefits to the body, and it is usually used in the form of seeds or oil extracted from the seeds, and it was used in the past as a kind of dye. The benefits of safflower herb include:

Benefits of safflower for the heart

Safflower contains a high percentage of unsaturated fats, which benefit the body, the most important of which are linoleic acid and omega-6, which contribute to:

• Reduce inflammation.
• Reducing the chance of atherosclerosis.
• Reducing the chance of heart attack and stroke.
• In addition to what was mentioned, safflower seeds have an important role in regulating blood pressure and preventing its rise, which leads to maintaining heart health.
• Benefits of safflower for slimming
  The omega-3 fatty acids in safflower help burn body fat instead of storing it, which contributes to enhancing the benefits of safflower for weight loss and obesity.

Benefits of safflower for diabetes

One of the benefits of safflower for diabetes is that it contributes to improving the level of sugar in the blood. These benefits of safflower are due to the fact that it contains unsaturated fats and omega-6, which reduce insulin resistance and reduce insulin secretion. As for the question of when the effect of safflower begins, safflower or safflower oil can be taken regularly for 4 months to improve and regulate blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Benefits of safflower for inflammation

Safflower contains anti-inflammatory properties because it contains unsaturated fatty acids, which reduces inflammation that causes chronic diseases.

Benefits of safflower for the menstrual cycle

One of the benefits of the safflower plant for women is that it reduces the symptoms of menstruation such as severe pain and disorder, and also contributes to reducing the cramps associated with the menstrual cycle that most women suffer from during the period of the menstrual cycle, because it contains linoleic acid that works to regulate the levels of prostaglandins, which cause menstrual pain .

For more: Reducing period pain with medication, heat and natural methods

The benefits of safflower for fear

Studies on the use of safflower for fear, stress, and depression are still insufficient, but this does not negate its benefits that have been proven by experiment on mice, as it was found that the effect of safflower is similar to the effect of drugs used to treat panic attacks and extreme fear.

Benefits of safflower for the skin

Safflower contributes to solving many skin and skin problems, and the benefits of safflower for the skin include the following:

• Reduce skin stretch marks.
• Reducing skin scars, because it contains linoleic acid, which contributes to the regeneration of skin cells.
• Smoothing rough skin, because it contains vitamin E, which contributes to moisturizing the skin.
• Cleansing the skin and removing blackheads.
• Treatment of pimples and acne.
• Reducing symptoms of eczema.

Benefits of safflower for hair
The use of safflower oil on the hair contributes to moisturizing the hair and scalp due to the oleic acid present in it. Among the benefits of safflower for hair, we mention the following:

• Increase blood circulation in the scalp.
• Stimulate hair growth.
• Strengthening hair follicles.
• Get shiny and vibrant hair.

Benefits of safflower for children

There are many benefits of safflower for children, and it can be used in several ways to obtain these benefits. Among the benefits of safflower for children, we mention the following:

Cholestasis treatment.
For the treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis.
To treat dry skin.
Cure fear for children.

But it is worth noting that safflower may cause some harm to children, such as allergies, or raise blood sugar levels, or prevent blood clotting and bleeding, so a doctor should be consulted before using safflower for children.

For more: The benefits of safflower for children, the most important of which is the treatment of fear in children

Safflower damage

Safflower is considered safe when taken orally for most people, and even when used as an oil it is considered safe to use, but there are some precautions and caveats for its use that must be seen before eating it in large quantities to obtain the therapeutic benefits of safflower, which are as follows:

Safflower for pregnant and breastfeeding women: A pregnant woman should avoid eating safflower during pregnancy because it causes contractions in the uterus and may cause abortion. As for breastfeeding women, there is not enough information available about its safety, so it is better to stay on the safe side and avoid taking it.

People with bleeding disorders: Safflower might slow blood clotting and thus increase the risk of bleeding for these people, including people with hemorrhagic diseases, stomach or intestinal ulcers, and clotting disorders.

Allergies: Some people are allergic to certain types of herbs, such as chrysanthemums and marigolds, and safflower may cause an allergic reaction in these people.
Diabetics: The use of safflower oil can interfere with the ability to control blood sugar levels in diabetics, so it is best to consult a doctor before using it.

Surgery: Since safflower may slow blood clotting, it may increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery, so it is best to stop using it at least two weeks before the date of a scheduled surgery.