Synonym(s)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Fast-growing, thistle-like, annual, herbaceous plant species of the composite family (Asteraceae). Safflower is native to Egypt and the Near East to Central Europe. It is now also cultivated in Europe, North America and Australia. Safflower is cultivated mainly for its oily seeds.
Safflower oil is used as a dietary supplement to lower cholesterol levels and prevent arteriosclerosis due to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, and has a mild laxative effect.
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The flowers are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
Safflower oil indiet as prophylaxis of arteriosclerosis lowering cholesterol); mild laxative, used in Crohn's disease. External: wounds, scars, bruises and sprains.
General informationThis section has been translated automatically.
The plant reaches growth heights of 60 to 130 centimetres. Its elongated leaves with a length of 10-15 cm and a width of 2.5-5 cm are thorny. The flowers are orange. The nut fruits of the safflower contain oil. The oil content is 20 and 40 % of dry matter.
The safflower is cultivated mainly for the safflower oil obtained from the seeds, a fatty oil containing very high levels of linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid, which is also technically used as an edible oil.
Naturopathy: The safflower is the parent plant of Flores carthamine, the naturopathically used extract from the flowers of the plant; furthermore of Oleum carthami, the thistle oil also called safflower oil.
Cosmetics: Derivatives of fatty acids extracted from carthami oil are used in cosmetics:
- Safflower glycerides (INCI)
- Saffloweramidopropyl ethyldimonium ethosulfate (INCI)
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer
Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles