Latin (Botanical) Name: Carthamus Tinctorious
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Common Extraction Method: Cold press
Typically Used Plant Part: Seed
Color: Light bright yellow
Aromatic Characteristic: Almost odorless
Safflower, one of the natural health resources, is one of the oldest crops of humanity. It was first cultivated in Mesopotamia, and archaeological traces probably date back to 2500 BC. In ancient Egypt, dyes made from safflower were observed in chemical analysis of textiles from the 12th Dynasty (1991-1802 BC), and wreaths made of safflower were found in the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun. It was cultivated in Italy, France and Spain during the Middle Ages, and immediately after the discovery of the Americas, it was first taken to Mexico by the Spanish, and then to Venezuela and Colombia. It was used by early Spanish colonists as a substitute for saffron. It entered the USA from the Mediterranean countries in 1925.
The arrival of the safflower plant in Anatolia was thanks to the Turks who migrated from Central Asia. Some spiny types were brought to the Marmara region (Balıkesir region) with immigrants from Bulgaria between 1940-1945 and cultivated. Although its entry to our country is so old, unfortunately, it has not taken its place in Turkish agriculture since it has not been given the necessary importance until today.
It was first grown for medicinal purposes and for the use of the dye in its flower in food and fabric dyeing, and later it was grown for the oil in its seed.
It is also known by names such as fake saffron, American saffron, and dyer's saffron. It is an oil plant living one year, with a length of 30 - 150 cm, broad-leaved, yellow, red, orange, white and cream-colored flowers, thorny and thornless types, drought-resistant and its average oil content can vary between 30-50%.
Today, there are 25 wild species spread all over the world, and a few of these wild species (for example, Carthamus lanatus and C. dentatus) can be easily seen in natural environments in different regions of our country.
KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
BENEFITS
It helps to revitalize blood circulation, reduce blood cholesterol levels with oleic acid (omega 9) it contains, reduce heart arrhythmia and hypertension [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].
Helps reduce skin and cell aging [6] [7].
Inflammation is the specific reaction of tissues to any physical, chemical or biological attack. Safflower oil helps reduce inflammation and edema in the body [8].
It helps prevent osteoporosis and reduce bone loss [9] [10].
WARNINGS
ACADEMIC STUDIES
[1] Delshad E., Yousefi M., Sasannezhad P, Rakhshandeh H., Ayati Z. (2018) Medical uses of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower): a comprehensive review from Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine. Electronic Physician, April 2018, Volume: 10, Issue: 4, Pages: 6672-6681, D
[2] Guimiao W, Yili L. Clinical application of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius). Zhejiang Tradit Chin Med Sci J. 1985; 1: 42-3.
[3] Der Marderosian A. The Review of Natural Products. Missouri: Facts and Comparisons; 2001.
[4] Dajue L, Mündel HH. Safflower, Carthamus Tinctorius L. Italy: International Plant Genetic Resources Institute; 1996
[5] Liu F, Yang XZ, Li FG, Hu J, Cheng RF. Hypotensive effects of safflower yellow in spontaneously hypertensive rats and influence on plasma renin activity and angiotensin II level. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. 1992; 27(10): 785-7. PMID: 1293928.
[6] Hiramatsu M, Takahashi T, Komatsu M, Kido T, Kasahara Y. Antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of Mogami-benibana (safflower, Carthamus tinctorius Linne). Neurochemical research. 2009; 34(4): 795-805. doi: 10.1007/s11064-008-9884-5
[7] Choi EM, Kim GH, Lee YS. Carthamus tinctorius flower extract prevents H2O2-induced dysfunction and oxidative damage in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Phytotherapy research. 2010; 24(7): 1037-41. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3070.
[8] Kim, N.-H.; Moon, Y.-S.; Park, T.S.; Son, J.-H. Serotonins of safflower seeds play a key role in anti-inflammatory effect in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. J. Plant. Biotechnol. 2015, 42, 364–369
[9] Jang, H.-O.; Park, Y.-S.; Lee, J.-H.; Seo, J.-B.; Koo, K.-I.; Jeong, S.-C.; Jin, S.-D.; Lee, Y.-H.; Eom, H.-S.; Yun, I. Effect of extracts from safflower seeds on osteoblast differentiation and intracellular calcium ion concentration in MC3T3-E1 cells. Nat. Prod. Res. 2007, 21, 787–797.
[10] Kim, H.-Y.; Kim, C.-S.; Jhon, G.-J.; Moon, I.-S.; Choi, S.-H.; Cho, K.-S.; Chai, J.-K.; Kim, C.-K. The Effect of Safflower Seed Extract on Periodontal Healing of 1-Wall Intrabony Defects in Beagle Dogs. J. Periodontol. 2002, 73, 1457–1466.
