Carthamus tinctorius herb, also known as flos carthami or Hong Hua, was ever an important dye in ancient times before the inception of synthetic aniline dyes. More than that, it has very high edible and medicinal value. As known to all, carthamus tinctorius seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats, and mainly used for the manufacture of margarine, salad oil, and cooking oil. And even its residue, left after the refining, can be used as concentrated feeds to livestock too. But no doubt the most impressive thing about it is its medicinal use. Both of its seeds and flowers have amazing healing power for extensive range of health problems. So, what is safflower used for medicinally? As a matter of fact, this is what this post is all about - to provide you with all the answers and knowledge about this amazing herb.

Medicinally, especially in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), safflower refers to the dried flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L., an annual plant in the family Compositae. Common names include safflower flower and flos carthami. To guarantee high quality, it must be harvested during summer when the tubular flowers turn from yellow to red. When picking it needs to be careful not to damage the ovary located on the base. After the picking, next remove impurities, and dry in the shade or beside a low fire.
 

1. Activating blood to promote menstruation ;

2. Removing blood stasis and alleviating pain ;

3. Treating women's diseases such as amenorrhea,algomenorrhea and lyma ;

4. Treating injury from falling down,swelling andulcer on the body surface.