The use of safflower: beneficial properties and harm

Safflower (thistle or American saffron) is an annual plant, reaching a length of 1.5 meters, having a straight glossy stem, large leaves with spikes along the edges and orange or yellow flowers. Predominantly grows as a weed plant, but sometimes grown as a cultured one.

The chemical composition of safflower
What is safflower useful for?
- Honey properties
- The benefits of tea
- Oil application
Use in medicine: folk recipes
Contraindications and harm

Did you know? In ancient Egypt, the plant was used for mummification - bandages were soaked in it.

The chemical composition of safflower

Safflower flowers contain vitamins A, C and D. In addition, glycosides, magnesium, iron and other mineral substances are present in the flowers. The seed oil consists of a variety of unsaturated fatty acids. Seeds also contain lignan alcohols.

What is safflower useful for?

Given the richness of the active substances, safflower can be found many useful properties:

diuretic effect;
dilutes the blood, thereby improving blood circulation;
prophylactic agent for psoriasis and malignant tumors;
helps to reduce weight;
improves brain activity;
useful for hypertensive patients;
boosts immunity.

But for most safflower is known as a plant, the use of which in the form of a biological additive is useful for losing weight.

Honey properties

Safflower Honey - very rare, because safflower is not a honey plant, it blooms for a short time and produces little nectar. Safflower honey has many beneficial properties, as it is rich in vitamins and nutrients, such as calcium, iron, vitamins E, C, PP and group B. In medicine honey is used for arthritis, skin diseases, cuts and burns; honey can be used for throat diseases - it produces an anesthetic effect, it is useful for insomnia.

Safflower honey is also used in cosmetology. Masks based on it are useful for the scalp and hair.

To improve and maintain immunity, every morning you need to drink on an empty stomach a glass of water with diluted honey (for 1 glass - 2 teaspoons).

Important! Due to the fact that such honey is very rare, it is often forged. Do not pay attention to the bright orange color, fresh honey - transparent with a slight yellow tinge, frozen honey - saloobrazny light yellow color.

The benefits of tea

Safflower tea is recommended to drink for the normalization of digestive processes, the treatment of gastritis and ulcers, it is useful for liver and kidney diseases, it thins the blood, normalizes blood pressure. Preparing tea is easy: we take 1/4 teaspoon of color (do not mix with other teas), pour it into a container and fill it with boiling water, leave for about half an hour, then filter. It is recommended to drink one cup before bedtime, but you can drink several throughout the day. Keep the tea in a dry and cool place.

Important! American saffron tea increases the diuretic effect, a person may experience urge to urinate with an empty bladder. In this case, it is necessary to give up tea for a few weeks.

Oil application

This oil at a price close to olive oil, it can be found in supermarkets and pharmacies, but it is better to buy in the aromatherapy departments. The oil is actively used for weight loss, improving the work of the heart, cleaning blood vessels, improving the condition of the skin and hair. It is also useful for patients with diabetes: lowers blood sugar and removes excess fats.

The benefits of your health will bring oil of cloves, lavender, cardamom, rapeseed, hazelnut.

Use in medicine: folk recipes

For a long time, the annual plant was used in medicine as a laxative, anesthetic and an agent for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Today, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are found in the plant, and it also reduces overall cholesterol, it is used in diabetes.

In folk medicine Safflower has been used for several centuries. It helps to treat tumors, used as a remedy for bruises and injuries.

Did you know? EEven in the 11th century China, wild saffron was used to treat gastritis.

And now we will get acquainted with several popular recipes using safflower.

Concentrate consumed one tablespoon once a day.
Ground seeds are added to the shampoo, which helps against baldness.
The oil is added to sunscreen in proportions of 1: 5.
Add to the means to care for the scalp and hair (1 tablespoon. Per 100 ml).
Against couperosis applied to the skin in its pure form.
Add to creams for sensitive or aging skin.
Applied as a massage oil for dry skin.
In cooking - add to salads instead of sunflower oil.

If you decide to buy a safflower in the "grandma" market, you should distinguish it from saffron: the first plant has a less bright smell, the flowers are variegated with a yellowish tinge, consisting of small inflorescences.

If you are a supporter of traditional methods of treatment, medicinal plants, such as echinacea, nasturtium, nivyanik, goldenrod, gentian, sage, will most likely replenish your first-aid kit.