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.