What is safflower herbal medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine is a very broad discipline with extremely profound knowledge. In the field of traditional Chinese medicine, it is generally believed that many common plants or flowers have different therapeutic effects on different human diseases, and these plants can be eaten to cure physical diseases. Safflower herb is a very widely used medicine in traditional Chinese medicine. It not only has extremely high medicinal value, but can also be combined with other foods in daily use to enhance its nutritional value. So what exactly is safflower herbal medicine?

Safflower is a commonly used Chinese medicine. The name in Han Dynasty book is "Honglanhua", and the name in Kaibao Materia Medica is explained as safflower.

Other names: southern safflower, grass safflower, red and blue flower, and safflower hair.

Source: The dried flowers of safflower, an annual or biennial herb of the Asteraceae family. Mostly cultivated.

Plant morphology: The stem is cylindrical with fine shallow grooves, 30 to 90 cm high, woody at the base and many branches at the top. The leaves are alternate, nearly sessile and slightly amplexicaul, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, slightly thick, with a sharp tip, and serrated edges or sharp thorns. The inflorescence is terminal, the involucre is ovate or hemispherical, the bracts are arranged in multiple rows, the outer 2 to 3 rows are leaf-like with thorns on the edges, and the inner row is membranous and without thorns. The flowers are tubular, red-yellow at the top, gradually tapering to yellow at the base, and clustered on the receptacle. There are 5 stamens, 1 pistil, and a 2-lobed stigma, also yellow. Achenes are ovate, white, with four raised ribs and no pappus.

Origin: Mainly produced in Henan Province, it is now cultivated throughout the country and is grown in large quantities in Xinjiang.

Identification of properties: The flowers are wrinkled, bent, scattered in clusters or scattered, reddish yellow, and as thin as hair, so it is commonly called red flower hair in the place of origin. A single flower is about 2 cm long, with a linear yellow or orange base. The upper corolla is tubular, about 0.8 cm long, about 1.5 mm in diameter, and 5-lobed at the tip. It is red or orange, with yellow stamens and stigma, slightly fragrant, and slightly sweet and bitter. The best ones are those with long corolla and bright red color.

Main ingredients: Contains safflower glycoside, also known as red pigment; also contains safflower yellow pigment.

Efficacy and function: It can remove blood stasis, activate blood circulation and regulate menstruation. According to preliminary animal experiments, its functions are:

1. Excite the uterus: Its decoction and fluid extract can cause the uterus to have tension or rhythmic contraction, which is more obvious on the pregnant uterus, and the effect is faster and more lasting.

2. Blood pressure lowering: It has the effect of lowering blood pressure and can maintain it for a long time.

3. Dilate blood vessels: Safflower water extract has a certain effect of dilating coronary arteries.

Preparation: Use raw.

Nature and flavor: spicy, warm.

Meridians: Heart and liver.

Function: removing blood stasis, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation.

Indications: irregular menstruation, abdominal pain after childbirth, abdominal masses, pain caused by blood stasis due to trauma, swelling and pain caused by carbuncle, etc.

Clinical application: 1. Treat menstrual pain and amenorrhea caused by blood stasis, because it can stimulate the uterus and promote blood circulation and menstruation. Indications and usage are the same as peach kernel. Safflower can also be used to treat postpartum lochia, blood stasis, and lower abdominal distension and pain. It is often combined with angelica, Achyranthes bidentata, cinnamon, etc., in a recipe such as Zhechong Decoction.

2. Treat heart streaking pain caused by coronary heart disease. Our ancestors have recognized that safflower combined with Chuanxiong and Angelica can treat "chest and abdominal pain caused by blood stasis." In modern practice, 15g of safflower is used with 15g of Chuanxiong, decocted in water, and taken once a day (or in tablets). This is a basic prescription for treating heart streaking pain caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis type coronary heart disease. It is then combined with other prescriptions according to the symptoms, and it does have a certain therapeutic effect, which may be related to the effect of Chuanxiong and safflower in dilating the coronary arteries. It is reported that the short-term efficacy of treating angina pectoris is high, but the apparent efficacy is still unsatisfactory. Ginkgo leaves can also be added to make Yinchuan Hongshuxue Tablets, which are also effective in treating heart streaking pain caused by coronary heart disease.

3. It is more effective than peach kernel in treating injuries from falls. For subcutaneous bruises, bruises, swelling and pain caused by bruises and sprains, safflower oil or safflower wine (soaked in alcohol to make safflower tincture or boiled in rice wine) can be applied externally; for internal injuries and blood stasis, it can be combined with sophora japonica, angelica, red peony root, etc., which help to eliminate Zhong and relieve pain, such as the Dieda Huoxue Decoction.

4. Used to regulate qi and blood, the dosage should be small, and a small amount of safflower can be added to the warming tonic. For example, if there is postpartum blood fainting, dizziness, blurred vision, cold breath, or even lockjaw (teeth clenched and difficult to open), it is advisable to use Bazhen Decoction or Zhigancao Decoction, and add 0.9-1.5g of safflower for better effect.

5. Safflower is used in ophthalmology, mainly for clearing away heat and relieving inflammation. It is combined with Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia lactiflora, Forsythia suspensa, etc. to treat red and swollen eyes (including acute conjunctivitis, sty, etc.). The prescription is such as Safflower Powder.

Precautions for use: 1. Pregnant women should not use this product as it can stimulate uterine contraction; those with menorrhagia or bleeding tendency should not use it; 2. Large amounts of safflower can invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, while small amounts can nourish and harmonize blood; 3. Both safflower and peach kernel can remove blood stasis, but peach kernel is more widely used in blood diseases than safflower. For heat syndrome and blood stasis, peach kernel is more commonly used; for heart and abdominal pain and blood stasis, safflower is more effective.

Dosage: Generally use 3-9g, use a slightly larger amount of 12-15g, and use 0.9-15g for blood harmonization and nourishing.