SAFFLOWER: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a plant that grows throughout the world. Its seed oil is a rich source of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid.

The linoleic acid in safflower oil might help reduce the risk of heart disease. Safflower also contains chemicals that might help prevent blood clots, widen blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and stimulate the heart.

People use safflower oil for high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

High cholesterol. Using safflower oil in place of other oils in the diet might help lower total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in people with and without high cholesterol.

There is interest in using safflower for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Safflower oil is likely safe to use as part of the diet. It's usually well-tolerated.

When applied to the skin: Safflower oil is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy: Safflower oil is likely safe to use as part of the diet. Safflower flower is likely unsafe when used during pregnancy. It has effects that may lead to a miscarriage.

Breast-feeding: Safflower oil is likely safe to use as part of the diet. There isn't enough reliable information to know if safflower flower is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Safflower oil is possibly safe when taken by mouth in children for up to 8 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if safflower flower is safe for children.

Bleeding problems (hemorrhagic diseases, stomach or intestinal ulcers, or clotting disorders): Safflower can slow blood clotting and might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Safflower may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.

Diabetes: Safflower oil might increase blood sugar. This might make it harder to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Surgery: Safflower oil might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using safflower oil at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with SAFFLOWER
Safflower oil might slow blood clotting. Taking safflower oil along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with SAFFLOWER
Safflower oil might increase blood sugar levels. Taking safflower oil along with diabetes medications might reduce the effects of these medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Warfarin interacts with SAFFLOWER
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Safflower oil might increase the effects of warfarin. Increasing the effects of warfarin might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.

Dosing

Safflower oil has most often been used by adults in doses of 20-30 mL by mouth daily for up to 8 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

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Zhao F, Jiang H, Zhang T, et al. Mechanism Repositioning Based on Integrative Pharmacology: Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Safflower in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2023;24(6):5313. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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