Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Chinese and Middle Eastern systems. In traditional Chinese medicine, safflower is known as "Hong Hua" and has been used to "invigorate blood" and address cardiovascular concerns, which can include symptoms related to hypertension. The traditional rationale is based on the herb's reputation for promoting circulation and reducing "blood stasis," not on blood pressure measurements per se.

Modern scientific research evaluating safflower's direct effects on hypertension is limited. Some preclinical and small human studies suggest that safflower oil, which is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially linoleic acid), may have beneficial cardiovascular effects, such as improving lipid profiles and possibly exerting mild vasodilatory or anti-inflammatory actions. However, robust clinical trials specifically assessing safflower or safflower oil for the treatment or management of hypertension are lacking. The evidence is therefore insufficient to confirm its efficacy for this purpose beyond traditional use.

In summary, safflower is used to support hypertension primarily based on traditional practices rather than strong scientific validation. While there is some biological plausibility due to its fatty acid content, current scientific evidence does not robustly support its use for hypertension.

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