PDR for Herbal Medicines

652 /RUST-RED RHODODENDRON

Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag

Heidelberg 1996.

Tang W, Eisenbrand G. Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin.

Springer Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttsart 1997.

Ruta graveolens

See Rue

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

See Brewer's Yeast

Safflower

Carthamus tinctorius
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the flowers, seeds
and the oil extracted from its embryos.
Flower and Fruit: Axillary flowers grow in the leaf axils.
They are initially red-yellow, later bright orange. The heads
are up to 4 by 3 cm and are encircled by upper leaves. The
bracts are light green and have thorny tips with a thorny
appendage. The fruit is 6 to 8 cm long, obovate or pear-
shaped and bluntly wedge-shaped at the base with protruding
long ribs. The pappus consists of scales.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Carthamus tinctorius is an annual
plant, that grows up to 90 cm high. It has a thin fusiform
root. The stem is erect, simple or branched at the top into
stiff, glabrous, whitish-yellow and glossy branches. The
leaves are long, fairly soft, and glabrous with a thorny-
serrate margin and tip.
Habitat: The plant is said to be indigenous to Iran, northwest
India and possibly parts of Africa. It is also found in the Far
East and North America, and can be cultivated.
Production: Safflower blooms are the dried flowers of
Carthamus tinctorius. The flowers are gathered as they begin
to wilt, the calyx and inferior ovary are removed, the
remainder is put in the shade where it is mildly warm, and

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

left to dry. Direct sunlight destroys the coloring pigment.

Safflower or thistle oil is the oil extracted from the embryos

of the fruits of Carthamus tinctorius.

Other Names: Dyer's Saffron, American Saffron, Fake

Saffron, Bastard Saffron, Zaffer

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: SAFFLOWER FLOWERS

Chalcones and their p-quinones: carthamin (yellow), cartha-

mone (red-orange)

Flavonoids

EFFECTS: SAFFLOWER FLOWERS - ;_

No information is available.

COMPOUNDS: SAFFLOWER OIL

Fatty oil: chief fatty acids linoleic acid (55-88%), linolenic

acid

Carotinoids

EFFECTS: SAFFLOWER OIL

Safflower oil lowers the serum cholesterol levels.

• INDICATIONS AND USAGE
  SAFFLOWER FLOWERS
  Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, it is mainly used as a
  stimulant, purgative, antihydrotic, emmenagogue, abortifa-
  cient, expectorant, pneumonic and for tumors. It is also
  added to teas for soothing which soothe coughs and
  bronchial conditions.

Chinese Medicine: In China, Safflower flowers treat amenor-

rhoea and stomach tumors, as well as for external and

internal wounds.

Indian Medicine: The flowers are used for scabies, arthritis,

and chest pains.

SAFFLOWER OIL

Unproven Uses: Safflower oil is used for the prophylaxis of

arteriosclerosis.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

SAFFLOWER FLOWERS AND OIL

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages.

SAFFLOWER FLOWERS

Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancy.

DOSAGE

SAFFLOWER FLOWERS

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 3 gm of decoction;

single dose is 1 gm.