Safflower (Honghua) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. It belongs to the category of blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbs, specifically classified as a blood-regulating herb. It is referred to as “Red and Blue Flower” in the Han Book and is explained as Safflower in the Kaibao Bencao.
Alias: South Safflower, Grass Safflower, Red and Blue Flower, Safflower Hair.
Source: The dried flower of the annual or biennial herbaceous plant Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) of the Asteraceae family, mostly cultivated.
Plant Morphology: The stem is cylindrical with fine shallow grooves, reaching heights of 30 to 90 cm, woody at the base, and branched at the top. The leaves are alternate, nearly sessile, and slightly clasping the stem, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, slightly thick, with a sharp tip and serrated or spiny edges. The capitulum is terminal, with an ovate or hemispherical involucre, bracts arranged in whorls, with 2 to 3 outer rows leaf-like and spiny, and inner rows membranous without spines. The flowers are tubular, with the upper part yellow-red and the base gradually narrowing to yellow, clustered on the receptacle, with 5 stamens and 1 pistil, the stigma bifid and also yellow. The achene is ovate, white, with 4 prominent ribs and no pappus.
Production Area: Mainly produced in Henan, now cultivated in various regions across the country, with large-scale planting in Xinjiang.
Identification: The flowers are wrinkled, curved, and scattered in clusters or dispersed, yellow-red, fine like hair, hence locally referred to as Safflower Hair. A single flower is about 2 cm long, with a linear yellow or orange base, and the upper flower crown is tubular, about 0.8 cm long and 1.5 mm in diameter, with 5 lobes at the tip, red or orange, with yellow stamens and stigma, slightly fragrant, with a mildly sweet and bitter taste. The best quality has a long flower crown and bright red color.
Main Components: Contains safflower glycoside, also known as red pigment; also contains safflower yellow pigment.
Collection and Processing: Flowers are harvested in summer when they turn from yellow to red, then dried in the shade or sun.
Processing Methods:
(1) Safflower: Take the raw material, remove impurities, calyx, and flower stalk, and sift out ash.
(2) Fried Safflower: Place clean safflower in a pan and fry over low heat until slightly charred, then cool.
(3) Safflower Charcoal: Place clean safflower in a pan and fry over high heat until reddish-brown, sprinkle with a little water to extinguish flames, then cool completely.
(4) Vinegar Safflower: Take clean safflower, spray with vinegar evenly, and fry over low heat until dark red, then cool. [For every 100 kg of safflower, use 20 kg of vinegar.]
Nature and Flavor: Pungent, warm.
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver.
Functions: Breaks blood stasis, activates blood circulation, regulates menstruation.
Indications: Irregular menstruation, postpartum abdominal pain, masses, traumatic blood stasis pain, carbuncles, and swelling pain.
Dosage: Generally 3-9 g, slightly larger doses of 12-15 g, for nourishing blood 0.9-15 g.
Contraindications: Not suitable for pregnant women.
Effects and Actions of Safflower:
1. Improves heart and vascular function.
Safflower can strengthen heart contractions, beneficial for those with myocardial ischemia. It can also relieve spasms of vascular smooth muscle and enhance tolerance to hypoxia, preventing further thrombus formation and lowering cholesterol.
2. Anti-inflammatory effects.
Safflower contains an anti-inflammatory active component that effectively inhibits inflammation in animal bodies. Many effective components in safflower can influence immunity, antagonize PAF receptors, increase NO levels in the body, scavenge oxygen free radicals, and counteract various inflammatory factors, making it a good anti-inflammatory medicine.
3. Organizes blood coagulation and improves thrombosis.
Safflower can prolong prothrombin time and coagulation time in the blood, improving thrombus conditions, which is beneficial for cardiovascular diseases.
Consumption Methods of Safflower:
1. Dan Shen and Safflower Stewed Black Chicken.
800 g of black-boned chicken, 10 g of Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), 6 g of safflower, 15 g of Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria cirrhosa), 3 g of MSG, 5 g of ginger, 6 g of green onion, 5 g of salt, 2 g of pepper, and 10 g of cooking wine. Place all ingredients in a pot, add 2800 ml of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 35 minutes. This dish nourishes yin and kidneys and is suitable for patients with arrhythmia.
2. Blood Nourishing Beauty Soup.
100 g of japonica rice, 3 g of Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), 6 g of Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), 2 g of safflower, 4 g of Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), 3 g of green onion, 3 g of ginger, and 1 g of salt. First, wash the japonica rice and soak it in water. Then, place Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Huang Qi, and safflower in a clean cloth bag and simmer in chicken broth to extract the medicinal juice. Finally, add the japonica rice to cook porridge. This dish promotes qi and blood circulation, nourishes qi, and is often used by women to regulate menstruation and nourish blood.
3. Safflower Stewed Lamb Heart.
50 g of lamb heart, 9 g of safflower, and 1 g of salt. Clean the lamb heart, remove fat, and cut into small pieces. Place the lamb heart in a stewing pot, add an appropriate amount of water and safflower. Steam until cooked, then add appropriate salt for consumption. This dish activates blood circulation, regulates menstruation, and alleviates pain, which can treat hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Safflower?
Pregnant women should not consume safflower, as its effects promote blood circulation and resolve stasis, which can lead to miscarriage and is extremely harmful to the fetus. Pregnant women must pay special attention to their diet, as safflower stimulates the smooth muscles of the uterus and intestines, promoting uterine contractions, especially in late pregnancy. It is strictly prohibited to take safflower, as it can cause uterine contractions and even lead to premature birth or miscarriage.
During pregnancy, there are many things that pregnant women should avoid. It is best to consult a doctor before using any medication to ensure safety. The effects of safflower for pregnant women are akin to abortifacients, and they must remember not to consume it. If accidentally ingested, seek medical attention immediately. If there are no abnormal conditions, monitor closely, and if discomfort occurs, go to the hospital.
Pregnant women should not take safflower at any stage, especially in late pregnancy when the fetus is fully developed. The uterine contractions caused by safflower can lead to premature labor or miscarriage, which is very detrimental to both the fetus and the mother. Pregnant women must be knowledgeable about various issues to ensure their health and that of their baby.
Applicable Population for Safflower:
Individuals with irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum lochia retention, abdominal masses causing pain, trauma, depression, palpitations, febrile diseases with rashes, measles, etc., can take safflower, as it has certain improvement functions for these symptoms.
Safflower also has the effects of activating blood circulation, resolving stasis, dispersing depression, and cooling blood to detoxify, which can improve dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum blood stasis, abdominal pain from stasis, chest pain, blood stasis, trauma, joint pain, stroke paralysis, and purplish rashes.
The applicable population for safflower is very broad, except for pregnant women and those with excessive menstruation. Other individuals can take safflower. It has excellent effects on women, especially for regulating menstrual disorders. When taking safflower, it is essential to follow the consumption methods mentioned above or consult a doctor for advice.
Differences Between Safflower and Crocus Sativus (Saffron):
1. Different Varieties.
Crocus sativus, as a Tibetan medicine, has been renowned since the Ming Dynasty. However, Tibet is not the production area for saffron. It originally comes from the Mediterranean region of Europe and Greece, where it was initially used as a dye. Safflower is the dried flower of the Asteraceae plant, mainly produced in Xinjiang.
2. Different Prices.
The price of saffron is about ten times that of safflower, which is quite significant.
3. Different Dosages.
The recommended dosage for safflower is 3-9 g, while saffron should not exceed 10 g per dose. Saffron has a strong stimulating effect on the nervous system, and excessive consumption can lead to dizziness due to overstimulation.
4. Different Powder Colors.
Saffron powder is orange-red, and when added to water, it shows an orange-yellow line descending and gradually diffusing, dyeing the water yellow without sediment, and has no odor. Safflower powder is orange-yellow, and when added to water, the color is distinctly different from saffron, and the product has a noticeable odor.
Pharmacological Effects of Safflower:
1. Effects on the Cardiovascular System.
(1) Inhibitory Effects on the Heart.
Low doses of safflower decoction can mildly stimulate the isolated heart of toads and the in situ heart of rabbits, increasing heart contractions and amplitude; high doses inhibit the heart, slowing the heart rate and reducing myocardial contractility and cardiac output.
(2) Experimental studies on coronary blood flow indicate that safflower water extracts and safflower water-soluble mixtures—safflower yellow pigment—can increase coronary blood flow and myocardial nutritive blood flow; however, the effect of safflower ethanol extract on coronary dilation and blood flow is not significant or has no effect.
(3) Experimental studies on myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction show that safflower and its preparations have varying degrees of antagonistic effects on animal models of experimental myocardial ischemia or infarction. Safflower can significantly protect against acute myocardial ischemia induced by posterior pituitary hormone in rats or rabbits; it can significantly reduce the degree of acute myocardial ischemia caused by repeated transient coronary blood flow obstruction in anesthetized dogs, slow the heart rate, and protect the marginal area of acute myocardial infarction, thereby reducing the infarct area and lowering the ST segment elevation on the electrocardiogram, improving the oxygen supply-demand relationship in ischemic myocardium.
(4) Studies on the vascular effects of safflower show that when blood vessels are perfused with a solution containing trace amounts of epinephrine or norepinephrine, causing smooth muscle contraction and maintaining a certain vascular tension, safflower can induce vasodilation in the hind limbs of stressed guinea pigs and rabbit ears, with the effect becoming more pronounced with increasing dosage. Safflower can also increase blood flow in the femoral artery of anesthetized dogs, but it can cause contraction in normal isolated blood vessels of toads and rabbits. This indicates that the vasodilatory effect of safflower is related to the functional state of the blood vessels and the dosage of the drug, and its mechanism may primarily involve direct or partial antagonism of alpha-adrenergic receptors, leading to vasodilation, with a weaker direct vasoconstrictive effect.
(5) The effect of safflower on ischemic stroke-induced brain edema in experimental animals shows that safflower injection (1 ml containing 1 g of raw drug) was administered intraperitoneally to 63 Mongolian gerbils 30 minutes before surgery, with a surgical control group and a sham surgery group established to observe the effect of safflower on ischemic brain edema and study the changes in monoamine neurotransmitter levels in the same brain region. The results suggest that the mechanism by which safflower alleviates ischemic brain edema may be related to its ability to influence the metabolic disorder of monoamine neurotransmitters in tissues. It further confirms that safflower can indeed reduce the incidence and mortality of strokes and has protective effects on the brain tissue of experimental myocardial infarction animals.
(6) Hypotensive effects.
Safflower decoction, safflower yellow pigment, and other preparations have varying degrees of rapid hypotensive effects on anesthetized cats or dogs, with average blood pressure dropping around 20 mmHg within 20 minutes, lasting about 30 minutes before recovery.
(7) Experimental studies on the anticoagulant effects of safflower yellow pigment show that it significantly inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation in rabbits and has a notable disaggregation effect on already aggregated platelets. At a dose of 0.22 g/ml, the inhibition rate of aggregation and disaggregation percentage reached 85.9% and 78.9%, respectively. The effects of safflower yellow pigment are enhanced with increasing dosage. Safflower yellow pigment has a significant inhibitory effect on experimental thrombosis in rats, with an inhibition rate of 73.4%. Since the experiment used thrombus material formed on a silk line, the reduction in thrombus wet weight is evidently a result of the drug’s inhibition of platelet aggregation. This is consistent with the in vitro experiments confirming that safflower yellow pigment can inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Safflower yellow pigment can also significantly prolong the recalcification time, prothrombin time, and coagulation time in rabbit plasma, indicating that it can simultaneously affect both the internal and external coagulation systems. Additionally, safflower oil has a lipid-lowering effect.
2. Effects on Animal Hypoxia Tolerance.
(1) Anti-fatigue effects.
Safflower yellow pigment at 1100 mg/kg in mice significantly prolonged swimming time compared to the control group (using an equal amount of saline), with an extension rate of 117.0%, P<0.01.
(2) Effects on hypoxia tolerance in mice under normal pressure.
Mice were administered 1100 mg/kg safflower yellow pigment intraperitoneally, and 30 minutes later, each mouse was placed in a sealed glass bottle containing 15 g of sodium lime. The experimental group extended survival time by 48.8%, P<0.01.
(3) Effects on hypoxia tolerance in mice under decompression.
Using the same method, mice were placed in a chamber of equal volume and decompressed to a negative pressure of 450 mmHg, observing for 60 minutes. The survival rate was 15:10, with the treatment group extending survival time by 168.72%, P<0.001.
(4) Effects on isoproterenol-induced oxygen consumption increase.
Experimental results show that safflower yellow pigment can significantly extend the survival time of mice under decompression hypoxia (P<0.001), but the increase in survival rate is not significant.
(5) Effects on NaNO2 poisoning-induced tissue hypoxia.
In an experiment with 10 mice in each group, after administering safflower yellow pigment at 1100 mg/kg for 30 minutes, both groups were given 2% NaNO2 solution at 0.1 ml/10 g, and the survival time of mice was recorded. The results showed that the safflower yellow pigment group had a survival time of (118.40±84.31 minutes) compared to (56.30±25.30 minutes) in the control group, an increase of 110.3% (P<0.05).
(6) Effects on cerebral ischemic hypoxia.
Twenty-four mice were divided into two groups. After administering safflower yellow pigment at 1100 mg/kg, the Yasuda method for measuring cerebral ischemic hypoxia was slightly modified. The time from decapitation to the last gasp was observed. The results indicated that the duration of gasping after cerebral ischemic hypoxia was significantly prolonged in the safflower yellow pigment group (18.88±4.02s) compared to the control group (12.83±4.11s), with an extension rate of 47.2% (P<0.01).
(7) Effects on myocardial hypoxia.
Safflower yellow pigment can significantly increase coronary flow during hypoxia in isolated rabbit hearts. By injecting 22% safflower yellow pigment at 0.2 ml into the perfusion side tube, the flow was continuously recorded for 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 minutes, and the average was taken to compare coronary flow before and after administration. The most significant increase in coronary flow occurred at 1 minute after administration (P<0.001), gradually returning to pre-administration levels after 7 minutes. Under nitrogen hypoxia, coronary flow also significantly increased at 1-3 minutes (P<0.01), gradually decreasing after 5 minutes. Safflower ethanol extract at 4.0 g/kg administered intraperitoneally and safflower water decoction at 1.0 g/kg administered intraperitoneally can significantly extend survival time under normal pressure hypoxia conditions.
3. Effects on the Uterus.
Safflower decoction has a stimulating effect on the isolated uterus of mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs. Anesthesia experiments show that the decoction administered intravenously also stimulates the in situ uterus of mice, cats, and dogs. Both isolated and in situ administration significantly increases tension and (or) rhythmic contractions, sometimes with strong stimulation leading to spasms. The effect on the uterus of pregnant animals is more pronounced than that of non-pregnant ones. After intravenous administration of the decoction to pregnant rabbits, uterine excitatory responses were observed, with increased contraction frequency and amplitude, and the effect was more prolonged. It has also been reported that injecting safflower decoction around the vagina of ovariectomized mice can significantly increase uterine weight, suggesting an estrogen-like effect.
4. Analgesic and Sedative Effects.
Forty mice were divided into four groups. Each group received safflower yellow pigment at 550 mg/kg, 1100 mg/kg, morphine hydrochloride at 20 mg/kg, and an equal volume of saline. After 30 minutes, 0.7% acetic acid was administered intraperitoneally at 0.1 ml/10 g. The number of body twists in each mouse was observed within 20 minutes, and the inhibition rate of twisting response was calculated compared to the control group. The results showed that both doses of safflower yellow pigment significantly inhibited the twisting response in mice, P<0.001. In the groups receiving subthreshold doses of sodium barbital or chloral hydrate, the number of mice that lost the righting reflex for more than one minute increased significantly, with the high dose increasing the sleep rate by 40% and the low dose by 70% (P<0.01); both doses increased the sleep rate from 20% to 50% and 80% (P<0.01), indicating that safflower yellow pigment significantly enhances the central inhibitory effects of barbital and chloral hydrate, with the effect intensity parallel to the dosage.
5. Anti-inflammatory Effects.
(1) Effects on formaldehyde-induced paw swelling in rats.
Fifteen rats were divided into three groups, receiving intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg safflower yellow pigment, 20 mg/kg hydrocortisone, and saline. After 30 minutes, 2.5% formaldehyde solution at 0.05 ml was injected subcutaneously into both paws to induce inflammation. The swelling thickness of the paws was measured at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 24 hours, and compared with pre-inflammation thickness to calculate the swelling rate. The results showed that safflower yellow pigment significantly inhibited formaldehyde-induced paw swelling (P<0.001).
(2) Effects on capillary permeability in rats.
Fourteen rats were divided into two groups, with the treatment group receiving intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg safflower yellow pigment, and the control group receiving an equal volume of saline. After 30 minutes, 50 µg/0.05 ml of histamine was injected intradermally into the rats’ abdomen, followed by intravenous injection of 1% Evans blue at 10 mg/kg. After 20 minutes, the animals were euthanized, and the area of blue staining at the injection site was observed and compared between the two groups. The results showed that the staining area in the treatment group was 63.6±9.9 mm² compared to 582.3±6.6 mm² in the control group (X±SD). The inhibition rate in the treatment group was 89.1% (P<0.001), indicating a significant inhibitory effect on the increased permeability of skin capillaries induced by histamine.
(3) Effects on granuloma formation in rats.
Using the Meier method, one sterile cotton ball weighing 10 mg was implanted subcutaneously in each rat’s axilla. The experimental group of 7 rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg safflower yellow pigment, while the control group of 5 rats received an equal volume of saline for 4 days. On the fifth day, the animals were euthanized, and the cotton ball granuloma tissue was removed, dried, and weighed. The results showed that safflower yellow pigment significantly inhibited granuloma formation in rats (P<0.001).
6. Immune Activity.
Safflower polysaccharides differ from polysaccharides in higher plants, being similar to polysaccharides derived from bacteria. In vitro transfer experiments show that safflower polysaccharides have a synergistic effect with T-cell mitogen ConA, with no significant effect on B-cell mitogen Dex-TCMLIBansulfate.
7. Effects on the Nervous System.
Mice were administered safflower yellow pigment at 0.55 g/kg and 1.1 g/kg, and those injected with subthreshold doses of sodium barbital at 0.3 g/kg or chloral hydrate at 0.25 g/kg showed increased sleep rates (P<0.01, P<0.001), indicating a significant enhancement of the central inhibitory effects of sodium barbital and chloral hydrate, with the effect intensity parallel to the dosage.
Additional Formulas with Safflower:
1. For treating women’s menstrual obstruction, such as blood stasis.
Use safflower (finely chopped), Su Fang Mu (crushed), and Dang Gui in equal parts. Finely chop, and for each dose, use one tael, boil with 1.5 liters of water, first simmer the flower and wood, then add one cup of wine and Dang Gui, and simmer again. Take on an empty stomach warm.
2. For treating heat disease leading to fetal death.
Drink two cups of safflower wine decoction.
3. For treating retained placenta.
Drink two to three cups of safflower wine decoction.
4. For treating various wind conditions in women and abdominal blood stasis pain.
One tael of red and blue flower. Boil with one large sheng of wine until reduced by half, take half at once, and if not relieved, take again.
5. For treating all swellings.
Crush safflower and take the juice.
6. For treating throat obstruction and blockage.
Crush safflower to extract one small sheng of juice, take as needed. If there is no moisture in winter, it can be soaked and dried before extracting juice.
7. For treating chronic ear infections with persistent foul discharge.
One fen of safflower and one tael of white alum (burnt to ash). Grind the above medicine into a fine powder, and use a small amount in the ear.
8. For treating trauma and wall injuries.
One fen of Chuan Ma, two fen of Mu Xiang, three fen of safflower, and four fen of licorice. All used raw, ground into powder, and taken with yellow wine.
9. For treating bedsores.
Use an appropriate amount of safflower, soak in wine, and apply externally.
Clinical Applications of Safflower:
1. Treatment of acute and chronic muscle strain.
Prepare a 5% safflower injection and inject it at the pain point or along the meridian. After inserting the needle, first lift and insert, waiting for the patient to feel soreness and numbness before injecting the solution, 0.5-1 ml per point, once daily or every other day, with the treatment duration depending on the condition. In a study of 132 cases, after 3-15 treatments, 51 cases (37.8%) were cured, 49 cases (37.1%) showed significant improvement, 21 cases (15.9%) improved, and 11 cases (8.3%) were ineffective, resulting in an effective rate of 90.8%. Some patients were cured after 5-6 injections, with no recurrence for over a year. No adverse reactions were observed during treatment; some experienced increased soreness after the first injection, which generally lessened over time, and treatment continued without the need for auxiliary medications.
2. Treatment of contusions and sprains causing subcutaneous congestion and swelling.
Soak dried safflower in 40% alcohol at a 1% ratio for one week until the safflower turns yellow-white and settles at the bottom of the bottle. Filter with gauze before use, diluting with an equal amount of distilled water. Soak cotton in the solution for external application, bandaging it. Heating enhances the effect. Change the dressing according to the severity of the injury. In treating 775 cases of contusions and sprains, 347 cases were cured, 399 cases improved, and 29 cases were ineffective. Lighter cases recovered in 2-3 days, while more severe cases saw congestion disappear and swelling gradually reduce after 3-5 days of application. This product is also effective in the early stages of boils, but ineffective for those that have already suppurated.
3. Treatment of bedsores.
Use 500 g of safflower with 7000 ml of water, boil for about 2 hours until the safflower turns white, then filter the liquid. Simmer over low heat for about 3-4 hours until it becomes gelatinous. Apply to gauze and place on the affected area, covering with sterile gauze and securing it. Change the dressing once every other day. In a study of 20 cases with 24 bedsores, 8 were cured within 5 treatments, 11 within 10 treatments, and 5 required more than 10 treatments (including 2 cases cured after 20-25 treatments, with a duration of 1-2 years).
4. Treatment of coronary heart disease.
Use 5 qian of safflower, 6 qian of Yu Jin (Curcuma longa), 6 qian of Dan Shen, and 1 liang of Gua Lou (Trichosanthes kirilowii) as one dose, decocting into a concentrated extract, then drying and grinding into tablets (30 tablets). Take 10 tablets each time, three times a day, for a 4-week course. In a study of 44 cases, after 2-4 courses, over 90% of patients with angina pectoris experienced varying degrees of symptom relief (with 48.8% showing significant improvement and 41.5% improving); the overall effective rate on ECG was 63.5% (with 40.9% showing significant improvement and 22.6% improving). This preliminary evidence suggests good effects on mild to moderate chronic coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, with the following characteristics: (1) Rapid onset of efficacy (75.6% improved symptoms in the first course); (2) Stable efficacy during treatment (100% reduction in the use of nitroglycerin); (3) Effective for patients with stage I and II hypertension. There were few side effects after taking the medication, with only one case of mild upper abdominal discomfort and slight diarrhea, without affecting appetite or gastrointestinal function or other adverse reactions.
5. Treatment of calluses.
Grind safflower and Digu Pi (Lycium barbarum) each to 40 g into fine powder, mix with an appropriate amount of glycerin (about 100 g) for use. Before applying, wash the feet with warm soapy water, dry, and apply the oil to the soles, covering with sterile dressings. Change the dressing twice daily, and healing can be achieved within a week. If there is pus accumulation in the callus, it can be drained with a sterile plum blossom needle before applying the medication, and healing can also be achieved in a few days.
Note: Safflower leaves and bracts can have spines or be spineless.
Medication should be used with caution; please follow medical advice! (Source: Internet)