Safflower (thistle or American saffron) is an annual plant, reaching a length of 1.5 meters, having a straight glossy stem, large leaves with spikes along the edges and orange or yellow flowers. Predominantly grows as a weed plant, but sometimes grown as a cultured one.
Did you know? In ancient Egypt, the plant was used for mummification - bandages were soaked in it.
The chemical composition of safflower
Safflower flowers contain vitamins A, C and D. In addition, glycosides, magnesium, iron and other mineral substances are present in the flowers. The seed oil contains many unsaturated fatty acids. Seeds also contain lignan alcohols. 
What is safflower useful for?
Given the wealth of active substances, safflower can find many useful properties:
- diuretic effect;
- dilutes the blood, thereby improving blood circulation;
- prophylactic agent for psoriasis and malignant tumors;
- helps to reduce weight;
- improves brain activity;
- useful for hypertensive patients;
- boosts immunity.
Honey properties
Safflower Honey - very rare, because safflower is not a honey plant, it blooms for a short time and gives off little nectar. Safflower honey has many beneficial properties, as it is rich in vitamins and nutrients, such as calcium, iron, vitamins E, C, PP and group B. 
In medicine honey is used for arthritis, skin diseases, cuts and burns; honey can be used for throat diseases - it produces an anesthetic effect, it is useful for insomnia.
Safflower honey is also used in cosmetology. Masks based on it are useful for the scalp and hair.
To improve and maintain immunity, every morning you need to drink on an empty stomach a glass of water with diluted honey (for 1 glass - 2 teaspoons).
Important! Due to the fact that such honey is very rare, it is often forged. Do not pay attention to the bright orange color, fresh honey - transparent with a slight yellow tint, frozen honey - saloobrazny light yellow color.
The benefits of tea
Safflower tea is recommended to drink to normalize digestive processes, treat gastritis and ulcers, is useful for liver and kidney diseases, thins blood, normalizes blood pressure. 
Preparing tea is easy: we take 1/4 teaspoon of color (do not mix with other teas), pour it into a container and pour boiling water on it, draw for about half an hour, then filter. It is recommended to drink one cup before bedtime, but you can drink several throughout the day. Keep the tea in a dry and cool place.
Important! American saffron tea increases the diuretic effect, a person may experience urge to urinate with an empty bladder. In this case, you must give up tea for a few weeks.
Oil application
This oil at a price close to the olive, it can be found in supermarkets and pharmacies, but it is better to buy in the departments of aromatherapy. 
The oil is actively used for weight loss, improving heart function, cleaning blood vessels, improving skin and hair. It is also useful for patients with diabetes mellitus: lowers the level of sugar and removes excess fat.
The benefits of your health will bring oil of cloves, lavender, cardamom, rapeseed, hazelnut.
Use in medicine: folk recipes
For a long time, the annual plant was used in medicine as a laxative, anesthetic and an agent for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Today, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are found in the plant, and it also reduces overall cholesterol, it is used in diabetes.
In folk medicine Safflower has been used for several centuries. It helps to treat tumors, used as a remedy for bruises and injuries.
Did you know? EEven in the 11th century China, wild saffron was used to treat gastritis.
And now we will get acquainted with several popular recipes using safflower.
- Concentrate consumed one tablespoon once a day.
- Ground seeds are added to shampoo, which helps against baldness.
- The oil is added to sunscreen in proportions of 1: 5.
- Add to means for care of head skin and hair (1 tablespoon. On 100 ml).
- Against couperosis applied to the skin in its pure form.
- Add to creams for sensitive or aging skin.
- Applied as a massage oil for dry skin.
- In cooking - add to salads instead of sunflower oil.
If you decide to buy a safflower in the "Grandma's" market, you should distinguish it from saffron: the first plant has a less bright smell, the flowers are variegated with a yellowish tinge, consisting of small inflorescences.If you are a supporter of traditional methods of treatment, medicinal plants, such as echinacea, nasturtium, cornfield, goldenrod, gentian, sage, will most likely replenish your first-aid kit.
Contraindications and harm
Safflower is not recommended for use in uterine bleeding, as it dilutes the blood and may increase or cause bleeding.
It is contraindicated to use it during pregnancy - may cause premature birth.
Can not be used when a person has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and with individual intolerance to the components.
And in conclusion, I would like to note that safflower, although it looks like a panacea, but before using it is necessary to consult a doctor.
