The Anatolian lands we live in is a paradise, yes, but how well do we know it? For example, have you heard of the safflower plant growing in our soil? We are sure that if you are trying to lose weight, you have heard of it as a kind of miracle formula, thanks to the safflower oil produced from this plant. Safflower oil, which has become an increasingly popular product in recent years, has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
Safflower oil, obtained from the safflower plant, has been valued by all civilizations that come to mind throughout history. It was used in medicine because of its benefits to human health, in textiles because of its color, to add color to food and even in livestock. In other words, it stands out not with its weakening feature, but with its numerous features as well as a weakening. Let’s examine in all details the questions that are curious about what is safflower oil and what are its benefits.
First of all, what is safflower oil?
Safflower, which is popularly known as painter’s saffron, false saffron, American saffron; It is a kind of oil plant with orange and white flowers, extremely drought resistant and high oil content. The oil obtained from the safflower plant, which is known to have 25 wild species in different parts of the world, is called safflower oil.
India, Mexico, USA, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan are at the top of the list among the countries where the safflower plant is produced the most. The fact that safflower is produced in these countries with very different climates also shows how strong the plant is. The countries that produce the most safflower are also the largest consumers and exporters.
The use of safflower plant and safflower oil in history:
It is estimated that the safflower plant first appeared wild in South Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, and was first cultivated in Egypt 3500 years ago and spread all over the world from there. The civilizations of China, India, Japan, Egypt and Iran were in prehistoric times; Italy, France and Spain during the medieval period; It is known that after the discovery of the new continent, safflower cultivation was carried out in Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and the USA.
The safflower plant was first used for dyeing fabrics and food, as the flowers of the safflower plant produce a dazzling yellow and red color. Over the years, when the amino acids, minerals and vitamins in its flowers were discovered, it began to be consumed as herbal tea. Safflower oil is generally used by adding it to meals.
What does the safflower plant and its oil do, how is it used in the world?
Tea made using all parts of the safflower plant in and around India is given to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage. The same tea is also very popular as an aphrodisiac. The Middle East and Africa region uses this plant as an antidote and diarrheal agent in cases of poisoning.
In Bangladesh, rheumatism ointment is made from safflower seeds. Some Middle Eastern and Asian countries color their meals with safflower. Iranians ferment cheese by making a paste with safflower seeds. Roasted safflower seeds are a popular snack in Ethiopia and Sudan. Salad is made from safflower sprouts in India.
The most interesting use of the safflower plant is in animal husbandry. The pulp remaining after the safflower plant is oiled is so rich in oil and protein that it enables them to grow much more efficiently than other feeds given to animals. Although it is not common, wrapping paper is made with safflower shells. It is no longer used to make paints because it costs more than synthetics, but there are still cultures that continue this production.
So what are the benefits of safflower oil?
- It softens cough attacks during whooping cough, asthma, colds.
- It regulates blood circulation.
- It strengthens your immune system.
- It reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- It is good for your hair and skin as it has rich vitamin E.
- If you apply it to the hair, it eliminates the problem of dandruff and nourishes the hair follicles.
- Relieves rheumatic pains.
- It is good for digestive system problems.
- It accelerates metabolism.
- It relieves menstrual pain and regulates the menstrual process.
- It reduces pain and swelling.
- It has a blood pressure lowering effect.
- It is rich in amino acids and minerals.
- It contains vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E.
Here are some of the benefits of safflower oil obtained from the safflower plant. If you find the safflower plant itself, it will be much more useful to consume it by making tea from it, but if you say, where should I find it, then you can ensure that your body is not deprived of these benefits by using safflower oil.
How is safflower oil used, how is it consumed?
Safflower oil, which is a cure-all and has many benefits for the human body, has different consumption types. You can pour safflower oil, which has a similar structure to olive oil, into a spoon and drink it directly, or you can use it in your meals. But be careful, safflower oil is not used by heating. For this reason, if you are going to add it to your food, you should prefer to use it in cold dishes or salads.
Safflower oil is not only consumed, it can also be used as an ointment. For example, if you are going to use it to be good for your hair or skin, take some in your hand and gently massage it. If you are going to use it for your pain or swelling, take some in your hand and apply it by massaging the area. You don’t need to use too much, the important thing is to use it regularly.
Does safflower oil weaken, is safflower oil used to lose weight?
Yes, safflower oil weakens and is also used for weight loss. After all, we are talking about a vitamin-filled product that regulates the digestive system and accelerates metabolism. Of course, there is no such thing as five kilos, but if you exercise regularly and eat healthy, safflower oil will be an important assistant in the weight loss process.
We understood the benefits of safflower oil, but is there any harm?
Even if you drink too much water, you will be poisoned, of course, safflower oil also has its harms. Although not common, some people have been shown to have an allergic reaction to safflower oil. To see if you have such a problem, rub or consume a drop or so on your skin. If there is no allergic reaction, you can use it with peace of mind.
Safflower oil lowers blood pressure, that is, it is a friend of high blood pressure patients, but due to the same feature, it is the worst enemy of people suffering from low blood pressure. The most common side effects of safflower oil include diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. For this reason, it is recommended that your daily consumption amount should not exceed one dessert spoon. It can be harmful to use more than a few drops while applying.
In addition to its weakening effect, we answered questions such as what is safflower oil, which has numerous benefits to the human body, and what are its benefits. What we describe is for informational purposes only. Do not forget that you should get the most accurate and specific information about the use of safflower from a specialist physician, as in all health issues.