[[File:Safflower.jpg|thumb|right|''Safflower'', ''Carthamus tinctorius'']]
'''Safflower''' ('''Carthamus tinctorius''') is a highly branchedan annual plant native to the Mediterranean countries and cultivated in Europe and the U.S. ==Uses=={{Uses|Heart disease}}, {{Uses|Cholesterol}}, {{Uses|Tumours}}, {{Uses|Stomatitis}}, {{Uses|Fever}}, {{Uses|Eruptive skin complaints}}, herbaceous{{Uses|Inflammation}}, thistle-like annual plant{{Uses|Wound}}, {{Uses|Rheumatism}} ==Parts Used=={{Parts Used|Seeds}}, {{Parts Used|Leaves}}. It ==Chemical Composition==The major constituent is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seeds. Plants are 30 to 150 cm chalcone C-glucoside carthamin (12 up to 59 in8.5%) tall <ref name="chemical composition"/> ==Common names=={{Common names|kn=|ml=|sa=|ta=Kusumba|te=|hi=Kusum|en=Safflower, Dyers' saffron}} ==Properties==Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.===Dravya=== ===Rasa=== ===Guna=== ===Veerya=== ===Vipaka=== ===Karma=== ===Prabhava=== ==Habit=={{Habit|Herb}} ==Identification=====Leaf==={{Leaf|Simple|Ovate-lanceolate|Leaves armed with globular flower heads having small, spiny teeth}}<ref name="Leaf"/> ===Flower==={{Flower|Unisexual|1 to 11/2 inches across|Orange-yellow, |5|This thistle is valued for its orange, or red -yellow flowers. Each branch will usually have from one to five flower heads containing 15 to 20 in summer and for the oil contained in its seeds per head. Safflower }} ===Fruit==={{Fruit|Simple||Clearly grooved lengthwise, Lowest hooked hairs aligned towards crown||Many}} ===Other features=== ==List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is native used== ==Where to arid environments having seasonal rainget the saplings====Mode of Propagation=={{Propagation|Seeds}}. It ==How to plant/cultivate==Safflower probably grows a deep taproot which enables best in the semi-arid subtropics, but cultivars have been developed that widen its range and it is now cultivated from the temperate zone to thrive higher elevations in such environments. It is also known as Kusum, Dyers' saffron, False saffron the tropics<ref name="common namesHow to plant/cultivate"/> ==Commonly seen growing in areas=={{Commonly seen|Temperate area}}, {{Commonly seen|Tropical area}} ==Photo Gallery==<gallery class="left" caption="" widths="140px" heights="140px">Carthamus tinctorius 001.JPG
== Description ==
Its glabrous, branching stem grows from 1 to 3 feet high and bears alternate, sessile, oblong, or ovate-lanceolate leaves armed with small, spiny teethCarthamus tinctorius 002. The orange-yellow flowers grow in flower heads about 1 to 11/2 inches across. This thistle is valued for its orange-yellow flowers in summer and for the oil contained in its seeds. The orange-red flowers of safflower sometimes serve as a substitute for saffron, since they give a (rather pale) colour to the foodJPG
== Uses == Carthamus tinctorius 050709a.JPG
*Traditionally, the crop was grown for its seeds, and used for coloring and flavoring foods, in medicines, and making red (carthamin) and yellow dyes.*The plant has been cultivated mainly for the vegetable oil extracted from its seeds. *The latter is used in painting in the place of linseed oil, particularly with white paints, as it does not have the yellow tint which linseed oil possessesCarthamus tinctorius 050709b.JPG
==Common name== Carthamus tinctorius 050709c.JPG Carthamus tinctorius Dyer's Saffron ალისარჩული.JPG
* '''English''' - Safflower* '''Kannada''' - ಕುಸುಬೆ* '''Hindi''' - कुसुम</gallery>
== References == <references><ref name="common nameschemical composition">[http://wwwherbalinformation.flowersofindiaawardspace.netcom/catalog/slides/Safflower.html "Flowers of India"?cm=c&fn=carthamus_tinctorius Chemical assays]</ref></references>
<ref name== External Links =="Leaf">[http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Safflower.html Safflower botony]</ref>
<ref name="How to plant/cultivate">[httpshttp://entropical.wikipediatheferns.orginfo/wikiviewtropical.php?id=Carthamus+tinctorius Cultivation details]</Safflower Safflower-Wikipedia]ref></references>
==External Links==
* [https://easyayurveda.com/2018/01/01/safflower-oil-carthamus-tinctorius/ Safflower benefits,uses]
* [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874113007757 A phytochemical and pharmacological review]
* [http://www.herbgarden.co.za/mountainherb/herbinfo.php?id=516 Safflower plant information]
* [https://www.medicinalplantsanduses.com/safflower-oil-benefits Safflower Oil Medicinal Uses And Benefits For Skin & Weight Loss]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Ayurvedic herbs that don't have seed photos]]
[[Category:Asteraceae]]
