Use of the safflower plant in folk medicine, cosmetology, cooking

Man has long adapted to using plants not only for cooking, but also as a means for preparing medicines. Many of them are widely used in cosmetology, cooking and landscape design.

One of these representatives of the flora is safflower, which has a lot of useful properties. Let's look at the options for using the safflower plant in folk medicine.

Content:

1. Description of the safflower plant
2. What beneficial substances does it contain?
3. Safflower oil to normalize gastrointestinal tract activity and lose weight
4. The use of tea, decoction and infusion of safflower in folk medicine
5. Use of the safflower plant in cooking
6. Use of safflower in cosmetologists
7. Contraindications for use
8. Using safflower as an ornamental plant
9. Is it difficult to grow, care features

Description of the plant

The plant belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family. Ethiopia and Afghanistan are considered its homeland. Currently, safflower grows in India, China, the USA, the Middle East and Western Europe. On the territory of Russia it can be found in Crimea, Saratov, Kursk and Astrakhan regions.

In literary sources you can find another name for the plant - cartamus. It arose due to the presence of a coloring element (cartamine) in the inflorescences of the plant.

When the flower is lowered into water, it acquires a rich yellow tint, and when placed in alcohol, it becomes red.Safflower dye received its name due to its use as a substance for coloring a variety of materials.

The plant has a massive stem reaching a height of 1 to 1.5 m, fleshy leaves with thorns or prickles and a branched root, descending to a depth of 2 m. The safflower inflorescence reaches a diameter of 4 cm and resembles a large basket.

There can be about 50 of them on one plant. You might think that the inflorescence is a single flower, but it is represented by small elements located quite close to each other.

The flowers are of the tubular type, since their petals grow together into a tube at the bottom.

Safflower seeds resemble sunflower seeds. Pollination occurs by natural cross-pollination (insects, wind); in rare cases, self-pollination is possible.

Carthamus has many beneficial properties, so it is used not only as a coloring agent, but also as a remedy for various diseases. It can be purchased at the pharmacy in the form of tea or oil, as well as at the market from people who collect and sell medicinal plants.

What beneficial substances does it contain?

The flowers of this representative of the flora contain the following chemical elements:

• calcium;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• iron.

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Additionally, they contain cartamine, vitamins D, C and A, flavonoids (luteolin, isocartamidin), chalcone glycosides and caryophyllene.

The composition of the seeds is also enriched with various beneficial substances:

• lignan alcohols;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids. Their share in the oil composition is 75%;
• vitamins B, K, F and E;
• protein.

Due to the presence of such a variety of useful elements, the plant is widely used in folk medicine to achieve the following goals:

• improved blood circulation;
• lowering cholesterol and blood glucose levels;
• removal of excess bile;
• cleansing cookies;
• strengthening blood vessels;
• decreased blood pressure;
• strengthening the immune system;
• normalization of metabolism, functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system and menstrual cycle;
• activates brain processes;
• elimination of bleeding;
• reduction of pain and localization of the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis;
• removal of toxic substances from the body;
• burning subcutaneous fat, promoting weight loss;
• elimination of psycho-emotional stress.

Safflower oil to normalize gastrointestinal tract activity and lose weight

If you have some problems with the digestive system or you need to get rid of extra pounds, then the linoleic acid present in the oil will be an excellent help in solving these problems.

A diet with added oil has the following positive properties:

• when consuming one capsule of oil (2 tsp) per day while losing weight, there is no need to exclude certain foods from the diet, draw up tables for their intake and constantly count calories;
• weight decreases gradually without harming the body;
• there is no need to take additional vitamin-mineral complexes, since the oil contains all the necessary micronutrients, and to spend money on expensive supplements that promote weight loss;
• the diet is low-carbohydrate;
• the daily dosage of oil is 10% of the required calorie dose;
• normalization of digestion and the state of intestinal microflora. The oil is recommended to be taken for 3 weeks;
• elimination of constipation (the oil is taken in its pure form or added to cooked dishes);
• restoration of intestinal motility;
• Safflower oil is added to medications made for the treatment of gastritis and ulcers.

When treating obesity, this product is recommended for patients with a history of diabetes or heart disease, since the oil removes cholesterol from the body and helps lower blood sugar.

The use of tea, decoction and infusion of safflower in folk medicine

Medicines prepared from the flowers of the plant are widely used in folk medicine. Let's present some recipes.

For pathologies of the kidneys, liver, heart and gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to drink tea from carthamus. To prepare it, 0.5 tsp. 200 ml of flowers are poured. boiling water Then the vessel is closed with a lid, and after 30 minutes. strain the resulting tea. The product should be taken before bedtime, but it can also be taken again during the day.

An infusion of flowers will help cope with gastritis. The plant mass must first be dried and crushed. Then 2 tsp. pour 1 cup of boiling water over the flowers. You need to infuse the product in a thermos for 1 hour. Use it 1 tbsp. 3-4 r. a day after a meal.

To treat psoriasis, use a decoction or safflower water. For cooking 4 l. water is brought to a boil, and then 1 teaspoon of plant flowers is added to it. After 5 min. turn off the fire and leave the broth to cool. This product should be stored in the refrigerator. Drink it 4 glasses per day.

Folk remedies should be used after consultation with your doctor in combination with drug therapy.

Use of the safflower plant in cooking

The main ways to use the plant in cooking:

• When deep-frying and frying, safflower oil is used, since it does not smoke as much as regular sunflower oil;
• flowers give dishes an orange or yellow tint;
• salads are dressed with oil. In terms of taste, it is not very different from sunflower, but it brings much more health benefits and does not harden at low temperatures;
• seasoning from the petals of the plant improves the taste of meat, fish and legumes. Safflower is often used as a substitute for saffron;
• Dressings and sauces based on safflower oil have a pleasant taste and beautiful color.

In addition to preparing various dishes, carthamus flowers can be added to teas. They will give a rich shade to the drink, a pleasant floral aroma and will have a beneficial effect on human health, enriching his body with various beneficial substances.

Use of safflower in cosmetologists

Cosmetics made from oils or flowers have the following positive effects:

• acceleration of skin regeneration. This property ensures high efficiency of tanning creams;
• gives hair shine and smoothness, and also reduces the risk of hair loss;
• elimination of inflammatory processes, peeling and microcracks in the epidermis occurs due to the presence of antioxidants in safflower oil;
• saturating hair with moisture and vitamins. Shampoos, lotions or masks with the addition of safflower are very effective if a person has dry, brittle and lifeless hair;
• due to the presence of vitamin E, the oil is widely used in the manufacture of anti-aging products, moisturizing and nourishing skin creams;
• due to improved blood circulation, the skin acquires a healthy color;
• normalization of subcutaneous fat production. This property helps a person eliminate excess oiliness in hair and skin;
• restoration of hydrolipid balance.

Thanks to the above properties, cosmetics with the addition of elements of this plant are perfect for the fair sex, whose age has reached 45 years, as it helps them eliminate wrinkles, tones and increases the elasticity of the skin, prolonging its youth.

For girls and women who often visit a hairdresser for hair coloring, perms and styling, carthamus oil or cosmetics based on it will help restore lost shine, thickness, silkiness and volume to hair.

Their loss also becomes a common problem after performing such procedures. To solve it, it is recommended to apply oil on your head 2 times. per week, distributing evenly along the entire length of the hair and massaging the ends. After a month you will notice a positive effect. Your hair will shine and radiate a healthy look.

Contraindications for use

The main unpleasant property of cartamus is its poor combination with various medications.

In case of undergoing conservative therapy, it is necessary to take into account that excessive consumption of safflower during this period can have a negative effect on the body:

• headache and dizziness;
• dyspnea;
• nausea;
• chest and abdominal pain;
• loss of appetite.

Doctors prohibit the use of carthamus-based products in the following situations:

• blood clotting disorder. Its dilution can cause bleeding, so you will first need to consult a doctor;
• pregnancy. There is a risk of miscarriage or premature delivery;
• individual intolerance to herbal medicines, manifested in the form of allergic reactions;
• serious intestinal disorders. The laxative effect of safflower in these cases will lead to dehydration.

Self-medication in most cases leads to the development of serious complications, so first consult with your doctor to see if using safflower-based products will be harmful.

Using safflower as an ornamental plant

Florists use the plant to achieve the following purposes:

• giving flower beds (edges, mixborders) and lawns on borders originality;
• creating bright dry bouquets;
• decor of cottages and gardens;
• filling voids in hanging flower beds;
• safflower is used to create ceremonial compositions to decorate entrances or gazebos.

Usually the plant is combined with flowers such as cornflower, snapdragon, calendula, cornflower, and verbena.

Is it difficult to grow, care features

Basic rules for planting a carthamus:

• In the fall, the soil is loosened with harrows, and then it is plowed and enriched with nitrogen fertilizers. This will help eliminate weed roots and retain moisture in the soil;
• there should not be a high level of groundwater, which will lead to waterlogging of the soil;
• if there is stagnant water, drainage must be installed;
• the plant loves warmth and sunlight;
• A field that was sown with cereals last year is perfect for planting;
• Safflower cannot be grown again in the same field; the break must be at least 5-6 years;
• Loams and sandstones are considered good soils for cartamus;
• sowing is carried out at the very beginning of the sowing season;
• the distance between rows of seeds is 50-70 cm.

Care will not be difficult, since the plant does not require watering. During its growth, it is necessary to fertilize the soil during flowering or at its beginning, and also to clear it of weeds, since cartamus does not really like such a neighborhood.

Harvesting can be done after 4 months, when the flowers turn yellow and the seeds are dry. Harvesters are used for this purpose.

This representative of the flora has a lot of useful properties, so its use will help not only improve the taste of your dishes, but also normalize your overall health.

Do not forget about the presence of side effects and contraindications, so before using safflower-based products, first consult with your doctor.

You can learn more about safflower by watching the video: