Safflower (Honghua), also known as Red Flower or Thistle Flower, belongs to the Asteraceae family and the genus Carthamus. It has a distinctive aroma and a slightly bitter taste. The best quality is characterized by long petals, bright red color, and soft texture.
1. Cardiac Inhibition
Safflower has an inhibitory effect on the heart, slowing the heart rate, reducing myocardial contractility, and decreasing cardiac output.
2. Antihypertensive Effect
Safflower decoction, safflower yellow pigment, and other preparations have varying degrees of rapid antihypertensive effects in anesthetized cats or dogs.
3. Activating Blood Circulation and Regulating Menstruation, Dispelling Stasis and Alleviating Pain
Safflower decoction stimulates the uterus, which can induce contractions. It is mainly used for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and retained lochia. It can be combined with Cinnamon (Rougui), Salvia (Danshen), and Garlic (Xiaobai).
4. Treatment of Trauma
Safflower can be taken orally or applied externally. Washing the affected area with safflower decoction can dispel stasis and relieve joint pain.
Dietary Health:
1. Safflower Tea
Ingredients: 5g safflower, 5g sandalwood, 2g green tea, 30g brown sugar.
Method: Brew with boiling water, cover, and steep for 5 minutes before drinking.
2. Safflower Abalone Chicken Soup
Ingredients: Abalone, chicken, safflower, red dates.
Method:
(1) Half a chicken, skin removed, washed, blanched, and placed in a clay pot with water to boil.
(2) After boiling, add the cleaned abalone shell. Simmer for half an hour, then add the abalone.
(3) Add red dates and continue to simmer for half an hour, then add safflower and cook for 15 minutes.
(4) Add salt before serving.
3. Safflower Glutinous Rice Porridge
Ingredients: 10g safflower, 10g Angelica (Danggui), 15g Salvia (Danshen), 100g glutinous rice.
Method: Decoction of herbs, strain to obtain the liquid, then cook with rice to make porridge. Consume twice daily on an empty stomach.
4. Safflower Wine
Ingredients: 200g safflower, 1000ml white liquor, appropriate amount of brown sugar.
(1) Clean the safflower, dry it, and place it with brown sugar in a clean cloth bag, tie it tightly, and put it in a jar of liquor to soak for seven days.
5. Safflower Stasis-Dispelling Soup
Ingredients: 6g safflower, 9g peach kernel (Taoren), 30g Salvia (Danshen), 9g pangolin (Chuan shan jia), 10g Angelica (Danggui), 10g red peony (Chishao), 6g moutan bark (Danpi), 10g Atractylodes (Baizhu), 9g Alisma (Zexie), 30g oyster (Mu li, pre-decocted).
Method: Clean the above herbs and decoct them.
