TLDR More research is needed to confirm safflower's traditional medicinal uses.
The review highlighted the need for more comprehensive phytochemical studies on Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower) to validate its traditional medicinal uses. In Persian traditional medicine, safflower was used for treating various conditions, including rheumatism, paralysis, vitiligo, black spots, psoriasis, mouth ulcers, phlegm humor, poisoning, numb limbs, and melancholy humor. The review suggested that these potential applications deserved further investigation to bridge traditional and modern medical practices.
27 citations
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June 2015 in “Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia” Safflower has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and shows promise in treating heart, brain, and inflammatory conditions, but more research is needed to ensure its safety.
39 citations
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December 2013 in “Phytotherapy Research” Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) extract helps hair grow and could be used in hair products.
69 citations
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December 2011 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” Some Thai plants, especially Carthamus tinctorius, could help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth without adverse effects.
5 citations
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December 2011 in “InTech eBooks” Eat antioxidant-rich foods, reduce fast food, and explore various treatments for vitiligo.
August 2025 in “Biomolecules” Fibroblast growth factors could be a better, safer treatment for hair loss than current options.
7 citations
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December 2021 in “Pharmaceutics” Natural products like plant extracts can help promote hair growth and could be used to treat hair loss.
The transgenic safflower oil with oleosin-rhFGF9 improved hair growth and wound healing in mice.
69 citations
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December 2011 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” Some Thai plants, especially Carthamus tinctorius, could help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth without adverse effects.
