Safflower
(Honghua)
Pharmaceutical Name : Flos Carthami
Botanical Name : Carthamus tinctorius L.
Common Name : Carthamus, Safflower
Source of Earliest Record : Kaibao Bencao
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : The flowers are gathered in
summer, when they turn bright red. They are
then dried in the shade.
Properties & Taste : Pungent and warm
Meridians : Heart and liver
Functions :
1. To invigorate blood and release stagnation;
2. To promote menstruation
Indications & Combinations : Blood stagnation
manifested as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum
abdominal pain and pain and swelling due to
external injuries. Safflower (Honghua) is
used with Peach seed (Taoren), Chinese angelica
root (Danggui), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong)
and Red peony (Chishao) in the formula Tao
Hong Siwu Tang.
Dosage: 3-10 g
Cautions & Contraindications:
This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy. |
