Hong Hua

Latin name: Carthami Tinctorii Flos

Hong Hua Also Known As: Safflower Flower, American Saffron, Bastard Saffron, Dyer's Saffron, Fake Saffron, False Saffron, Hing Hua, Honghua, Zaffer, Zafran. Carthamus tinctorius.

Properties: PUNGENT - WARM

Dosage: 3-9g.

Meridians/Channels: HEART, LIVER

• invigorate blood, unblock menstruation
• dispel blood stasis, stop pain due to injury or abscess

Also Used For: Orally, Hong Hua (Safflower Flower) seed oil is used for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and preventing atherosclerosis. In Chinese medicine, Hong Hua (Safflower Flower) flower is used for hyperemia in women and hair growth. In folk medicine, Hong Hua (Safflower Flower) is used orally for fever, tumors, coughs, bronchial conditions, blood stasis, pain, blood invigoration, amenorrhea, painful menses, stimulating menstruation, coronary heart disease, chest pain, traumatic injuries, inducing sweating, as a laxative, purgative, stimulant, antiperspirant, abortifacient, and expectorant. For food uses, safflower seed oil is used as a cooking oil. In manufacturing, safflower flower is used to color cosmetics and dye fabrics. Safflower seed oil is used as a paint solvent.