Safflower is a plant. The flower and oil from the seeds of safflower are used as medicine as well as for diet.
Benefits of Safflower Oil For Diet and Body;
Safflower seed oil is taken by mouth for diabetes, preventing heart disease, including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), to maintain diet and stroke. The solid of Safflower used to increase hair growth, treat fever, tumors, coughs, breathing problems, diet supplements, clotting conditions, pain, coronary heart disease, chest pain, and traumatic injuries.
Some people use it for inducing sweating; and as a laxative, stimulant, antiperspirant, and expectorant to help loosen phlegm.
Women sometimes use safflower oil for absent or painful menstrual periods, or to stimulate menstruation; they use safflower flower to cause an abortion.
Safflower yellow, a component of safflower, is injected into the vein for chest pain (angina pectoris) and a type of stroke that is caused by a clot (ischemic stroke).
In foods, the safflower seed oil is used as a cooking oil that help you to maintain your food as a diet by controlling extra fats.
In manufacturing, safflower flower is used to color cosmetics and dye fabrics. Safflower seed oil is used as a paint solvent.
How does it work?
The linolenic and linoleic acids in safflower seed oil might help prevent “hardening of the arteries,” lower cholesterol,
and reduce the risk of heart disease. Safflower contains chemicals that may thin the blood to prevent clots, widen blood
vessels, lower blood pressure, and stimulate the heart.
Uses & Effectiveness?
Possibly Effective for High cholesterol. Some research shows that taking safflower oil as a dietary supplement or substituting it for other oils
in the diet helps lower total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol. However, it does not seem to lower other blood fats called triglycerides or raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol.
Possibly Ineffective for Low birth weight.
Some research suggests that adding a safflower oil product to infant formula or breast milk does not improve weight gain or skin thickness in low birth weight infants. Insufficient Evidence for chest pain (angina pectoris).
Early research shows that giving safflower yellow, a component of safflower flower, by IV along with standard medicine for chest pain slightly improves symptoms in Chinese people with chest pain.
Cystic fibrosis.
Early research shows that taking safflower oil by mouth for one year does not improve test markers or severity of cystic fibrosis in children.
Diabetes.
Research shows that taking safflower oil by mouth for 3 weeks can increase blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. But other research shows that taking safflower oil by mouth for 16 weeks decreases hemoglobin A1c
without affecting fasting blood sugar levels in postmenopausal women with diabetes.
Safflower oil does not seem to affect insulin levels or insulin sensitivity.
High cholesterol that is passed down through families (familial hypercholesterolemia). Evidence about the effects of
safflower oil in treating high cholesterol that is passed down through families is conflicting. Some early research suggests that replacing dietary butter with safflower oil decreases “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
in people with this condition.
Other research shows no beneficial effects. Hepatitis C. Early research suggests that taking a specific product containing safflower, pumpkin seeds, plantain seeds, and Japanese honeysuckle (EH0202) by mouth for 3 months reduces general discomfort, bloating, nausea, and vomiting in people with hepatitis C. However, the amount of hepatitis C virus present in the body does not appear to be affected.
High blood pressure (hypertension). Evidence about the effects of safflower oil on blood pressure is conflicting. Some early research suggests that taking safflower oil by mouth for 6-8 weeks lowers blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, other evidence suggests safflower oil is not effective for lowering blood pressure.
Stroke that is caused by a clot (ischemic stroke). Early research shows that giving safflower yellow, a component of safflower flower, by IV within 72 hours of having a stroke and continuing once daily for 2 weeks increases the chance
of improved brain function when used with standard medicine for stroke.
A scaly skin condition (phrynoderma). Early research suggests that taking safflower oil containing vitamin E and linoleic acid by mouth for more than 8 weeks can improve skin dryness and roughness in people with phrynoderma.
- Abortions.
- Blood circulation disorders.
- Breathing problems (conditions that affect the breathing tubes called bronchial tubes).
- Constipation.
- Coughs.
- Fever.
- Menstrual disorders.
- Pain.
- Traumatic injuries.
- Tumors.
Other Conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of safflower for these uses.
Side Effects & Safety
Safflower seed oil is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth.
It is POSSIBLY SAFE to take safflower flower by mouth or to inject a specific safflower oil emulsion (Liposyn) intravenously (by IV), provided the safflower oil emulsion is administered by a healthcare professional.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Children:
It is POSSIBLY SAFE to inject a specific safflower oil emulsion (Liposyn) intravenously (by IV), provided the safflower oil emulsion is administered to children by a healthcare professional.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
Safflower seed oil is POSSIBLY SAFE to inject intravenously (by IV), provided the safflower oil emulsion is administered by a healthcare professional. But don’t take safflower flower during pregnancy.
It is LIKELY UNSAFE. It can bring on menstrual periods, make the uterus contract, and cause miscarriages.
There isn’t much information about the safety of using safflower seed oil or flower during breast-feeding. Stay on the
safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding problems (hemorrhagic diseases, stomach or intestinal ulcers, or clotting disorders): Safflower can slow blood
clotting and might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Safflower may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.
If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking safflower.
Diabetes:
Safflower oil might increase blood sugar. There is concern that safflower oil might interfere with blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
Surgery:
Since safflower might slow blood clotting, there is a concern that it could increase the risk of bleeding during
and after surgery. Stop using safflower at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions?
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination!
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with SAFFLOWER.
Large amounts of safflower might slow blood clotting. Taking safflower along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin),
and others.
Dosage of Safflower Oil for Diet;
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
For high cholesterol: Meals containing safflower oil in place of some saturated fats have been used for up to 6 weeks.
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