Overview

Safflower is a plant called Carthamus tinctorius. The seeds of the plant are used to make safflower oil, which is used in cooking and seems to be well tolerated. The flower of the plant is used to make dietary supplements. However, very little research has been done to study the flower, and its safety and benefits are not well defined. Before taking safflower, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is safflower used for?

Safflower oil, which is made from safflower seeds, is used as a cooking oil. The flower from the safflower plant may also be used for various reasons, but its benefits are not well defined.

Note: Safflower seed oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Learn more about GRAS status here. The FDA has not reviewed the safflower flower for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does safflower work (mechanism of action)?

Safflower is a flowering plant called Carthamus tinctorius. Different parts of the plant are used for different reasons. The oil from safflower seeds is used as a cooking oil and in some skin care products. The flower and its yellow dye (safflower yellow) are used in the traditional medicine system in China, where safflower is known as hong hua.

As with other seed oils, safflower oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, including linolenic acid and linoleic acid. Most research shows that cooking with unsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol levels, as long as unsaturated fats are used to replace saturated fats. Lower cholesterol levels may help reduce the risk of heart disease and serious health problems, such as heart attack or stroke. It is not clear if any specific seed oil is better for heart health than other seed oils.

In China, a specific product called safflower yellow is sometimes used to treat blood clots and nerve problems from diabetes. Safflower yellow is a dye that comes from the flower of the plant. But this product is given as an injection and is not available in the United States. It is not clear whether taking safflower yellow by mouth has any effects on the body.

Some dietary supplements may contain the flowers of the safflower plant. Although these products make many different claims regarding their benefits, it is not clear if or how they may work for any use.

Herbal products like safflower naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific safflower product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store safflower?

You should store safflower according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of safflower?

There is not enough research to know what side effects may be caused by products made from the flowers of the safflower plant. When used as a cooking oil, safflower oil seems to be well tolerated. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of safflower that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of safflower?

While less common, the most serious side effects of safflower are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Safflower may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using safflower and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use safflower?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use safflower.

• Carthamus tinctorius
• False saffron
• Hong hua
• Safflower
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific safflower products they stock.

What should I know about safflower before using it?

Safflower oil is commonly used as a cooking oil. The flowers from safflower are used to make dietary supplements, which cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep safflower out of the reach of children.

Herbal products, such as safflower, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific safflower product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Safflower products may be made from different parts of the plant. For example, safflower oil is made from the seed of the plant and is used in cooking. Products referred to as safflower or safflower yellow are made from the flower of the plant. Each of these plant parts contains different chemicals that may have different effects on the body. The flowers are poorly studied and their effects on the body are not well understood. It is important to read the label to see which part of the plant was used to make that product.

The FDA has not tested safflower dietary supplements to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using safflower?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if safflower is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Allergies to Certain Plants.Safflower is part of the Asteraceae (daisy) family of plants. People who have an allergy to other plants in this family may be more likely to have an allergic reaction to safflower. Some examples of other common plants in the Asteraceae family include arnica, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, ragweed, asters, and chrysanthemums. If you have an allergy to one of these plants, talk to your health care provider before taking safflower.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Bleeding problems
• Heart problems

Other Medicines and Supplements.Safflower may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking safflower, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Safflower oil is not expected to cause harm during pregnancy. But it is not known if products made from the flower could affect pregnancy or cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if safflower or safflower oil passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does safflower interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between safflower oil and foods or drinks. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect safflower oil.

There is not enough research to know if products made from the flowers of the safflower plant interact with foods or drinks, including alcohol.

Does safflower interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between safflower oil and medicines. However, there may be interactions between the flower from the safflower plant and medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking safflower.

• A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
• An antiplatelet medicine, such as aspirin/dipyridamole, cilostazol, clopidogrel (Plavix), or ticagrelor (Brilinta), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots

The interactions between safflower and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with safflower is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking safflower with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much safflower?

If you or someone else has used too much safflower, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Different parts of the safflower plant are used to make different products. Safflower seeds are used to make oil, which is often used in cooking. Safflower flowers are used to make dietary supplements. These dietary supplements are poorly studied, and their risks are unclear. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take safflower safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.