Herbs Hub
Safflower (hong hua), Carthamus tinctorius. Botanical plate: Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.342 - Dendrobium moniliforme - Rehmannia glutinos
Plate: Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.342 - Dendrobium moniliforme - Rehmannia glutinos. Ishizaki Yūshi. Public domain.

Safflower (hong hua)

Carthamus tinctorius · 红花

Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.

Also called Hong hua, Dyer's saffron, False saffron

Pinyin: Hóng Huā

Spanish: Cártamo

Avoid in pregnancy

The dried flower of a thistle-like plant, used in Chinese medicine to move blood and ease bruises and pain.

Did you know? Safflower petals hold two dyes, one yellow and one red, and people have used them for centuries to dye silk and cloth.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

  • Heart health. Used in Chinese medicine for chest pain from blood stasis. Few good human trials have been done on the herb itself.
    Traditional proof
  • Wounds, burns & bites. Used on bruises and sprains in tradition. Mostly tradition and lab work.
    Traditional proof
  • Women's health. Used for painful or slow periods in tradition. Human trials are lacking.
    Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Heart & vessels, Skin & hair, Hormones & reproduction

Traditional use

Chinese medicine uses safflower to move blood, ease bruises, and ease painful periods. It is mostly used in mixed formulas.

How it is classified

Herbal actions
Circulatory, Emmenagogue, Vulnerary. Energy: warming.
Chinese medicine
红花 Invigorate blood. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent. Enters the Heart and Liver channels.

How people take it

Traditional decoctions use about 3 to 9 grams of dried flowers. Teas use smaller amounts.

Tea, decoction, tincture and capsule.

Where to get it

Grown in China, India, Egypt, and the Americas. Sold as dried flowers, tea, and tinctures. Safflower seed oil is a different product used for cooking.

Be careful

Can cause bleeding and may trigger contractions or miscarriage, so avoid it in pregnancy. Can add to bleeding risk with blood thinners.

Avoid if: pregnancy; bleeding disorders; before surgery.

Mixing with other things

  • Works well together

    Both move blood and ease pain in classic Chinese blood formulas.

  • Works well together

    Both move blood, and they are often paired for chest pain from blood stasis.

  • Use caution
    Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)

    May add to bleeding risk with blood thinners.

Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.

The honest take

Safflower is a real blood-moving herb in Chinese medicine, but good human trials of the herb itself are few. Its proof mostly comes from lab work and mixed products. Safflower seed oil is a different product with a different use, so do not confuse the two.