Safflower
红花 · Hónghuā
Carthamus tinctorius
Family: Asteraceae · Part used: Flower · Origin: Tacheng, Xinjiang, China
Nature
Warm
Flavor
Pungent
Meridian
Heart, Liver
Hong Hua — the golden-orange flower that once dyed imperial robes — is the brisk blood-mover of Chinese medicine, dispelling stasis and unblocking menstruation where gentler herbs fail. Xinjiang's high-altitude safflower carries the deepest pigment and highest hydroxysafflor content.
🌿 Functions & Actions
- •Invigorates blood and dispels stasis
- •Unblocks menstruation and eases pain
- •Unblocks the channels
📋 Traditional Indications
- •Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea from stasis
- •Chest and costal pain
- •Traumatic bruising
- •Joint pain from stasis-cold
- •Dark, clotted menstruation
📖 Usage & Dosage
3–10 g in decoction (small doses move blood, large doses in classical texts break it — professional dosing advised).
🍵 Classic Recipes
Hong Hua Wine
Safflower 10 g soaked in rice wine 250 ml — external liniment for bruises.
Tao Hong Si Wu Decoction
Safflower + peach kernel added to Four Substances — the classical stasis-dispelling blood formula.
🔬 Modern Research
Hydroxysafflor yellow A is studied for cardiovascular protection, antiplatelet activity, and neuroprotection; safflower injection preparations are used in Chinese hospitals for coronary support.
⚠️ Contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnancy and heavy bleeding. Caution with anticoagulants.
