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Carthamus Semen, Safflower Seed

Also called Bastard or Wild Saffron; Cnicus, Crocus Saracenicus, Cartamus
Hong Hua Zi  紅花子 (TCM)
Ortus Sanitatis, Cube, Johann von, 1501

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Botanical name:
Carthamus tinctorius

Parts used:
Seed kernel

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry.

Classifications:
3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE
Preparers and Purgers of Phlegm
Preparers and Purgers of Melancholy

Uses:
1. Purges Phlegm, Damp and Water:
-Purges Phlegm and cleanses the Chest: Cough, Asthma and difficulty breathing from excess Phlegm
-Edema, Fluid Retention;
-Gravel and Stones
-demonstrated Nephroprotective effect
-mildly laxative (especially the cold-pressed oil)
-'purges Phlegm and Bile' (Galen)

2. Moves the Blood, Benefits Heart:
-Expressed oil is good for the Heart, Hypertension and high Cholesterol
-used for sclerosis and hardness

3. Benefits Yin: (Oil)
-regular use of the oil was said to increase Sperm.
-loss of sexual desire. (Avicenna)


DOSE:
As it works slowly, it is actuated and quickened by being taken with Cardamon, Galangal, or Rock Salt
Dioscorides recommended taking it with Hydromel or Chicken broth.
In Powder or Pills: 500mg–2 grams
Added to Soups or Decoction: 2–4 grams

CORRECTIVES:
It is offensive to the Stomach, so most of the correctors benefit the Stomach. 
1. Aniseed (Unani); Aniseed, Fennel seed (Pemell)
2. Galangal, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove
3. Mastic

SUBSTITUTES:
1. Safflower seed has been recommended as a substitute for Cotton seed in Unani
2. Avicenna said Hemp Seed had similar properties to Safflower seed
3. Avicenna also said Oils of Safflower and Nettle seeds are identical in property.

Main Combinations:
1. Constipation:
i. Safflower seed with Fig, Almond, Aniseed, Figs, native Sodium carbonate (Dioscorides)
ii. Safflower seed, Costus, Bitter Almond (Avicenna)
iii. Safflower seed, Almond, Honey (Avicenna)
iv. Safflower seed with Fig, Almond, Senna, Fennel and Ginger (as in Electuary of Safflower seed of Unani)
2. To purge Bile, Phlegm and Damp:
i. Safflower seed is ground and taken with Barley water (Galen)
ii. Safflower seed, Aniseed and/or Bitter Almond (Galen)
iii. Safflower seed with Senna, Rhubarb, Agaric mixed with Syrup of Rose Solutive.
iv. Agaric, Chebulic Myrobalan, Turbith, Safflower seed, Ginger, Aniseed, Mastic, Clove, Cinnamon (Mesue)
3. To purge Burnt Phlegm, Safflower seed with Fig and Honey. (Avicenna)
4. Clear Phlegm from the Lungs, Safflower seed, Almond, Pine nut, Honey, as a Lohoch (licking medicine).
5. Jaundice, Safflower seed with Wormwood, Chicory (Pemell, 1652)
6. Hardness of the Kidneys, Safflower seed with Horehound seed, Linseed, Fenugreek, Safflower seed

Major Formulas:
Infusion to Purge Phlegm more Compound (Mesue)
Syrup of Senna Compound
Syrup to Purge all Humors of Frankfurt
Powder for Hardness of the Kidneys
Electuary Diacarthamus
Species Diacarthamus

1. Syrup of Safflower Seed Solutive.
i. Safflower seed bruised (4 oz.), Water (6 lbs.). Boil to 4 pounds, adding towards the end Senna (4 oz.), Aniseed (half ounce). Dissolve in the strained decoction White Sugar (2 lbs.). Clarify and boil to a syrup. (Pharmacopoeia Hispana, 1798)

Cautions:
1. Not be used in Pregnancy
2. Avoid use in Liver disease
3. 'Safflower seeds are harmful for the stomach'. (Avicenna)

TOXICITY:
Acute Liver Failure Induced by Carthamus tinctorius Oil: Case Reports and Literature Review.

Main Preparations used: