Parts Used: Flowers

Safflower is grown in many parts of India, China and in other parts of Asia. It is found in Egypt and in Southern Europe also.  It possesses a stiff, upright and whitish stem which grows up to a height of 2 to 3 feet.  Its leaves are pointed, spiny and oval shaped and the flowers are yellow or orange in color.

Safflower was originally grown for the flowers that were used in making red and yellow dyes for clothing and food preparation. Today this crop supplies oil, meal, birdseed, and foots (residue from oil processing) for the food and industrial products markets, although this crop is now primarily grown for the oil.  The part of Safflower that is used are its flowers.  The flowers have laxative and diaphoretic actions. The flowers are effective in curing measles, fevers and eruptive skin problems.