OVERVIEW:
Safflower is a thistle-like plant in the daisy family that produces rounded yellow or reddish-orange flower heads and rosettes. Before it was used for its health benefits in cooking and as a tea or oil, the bright yellows and reds of the plant were cultivated as a multipurpose dye. Safflower has a mild and pleasant taste and is sometimes used in cooking as a substitute for saffron, earning the nickname "false saffron". 
 
Safflower tea benefits have long been acknowledged by traditional Chinese and Native American herbal medicine practitioners and are thought to help certain cardiovascular conditions, as well as ailments in the respiratory and digestive systems. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities of the herb are due to a variety of flavonoids. Safflower is also rich in calcium, magnesium, folate, phosphorous and fatty acids. 
 
LATIN: 
Carthamus tinctorius
ORIGIN:
China
CULTIVATION:
Organic
PARTS USED:
Dried Flower / Cut & Sifted
CATEGORY:
Culinary and Medicinal Herb
TISANE "HERBAL" TEA BREW TIMES:
Ground tisane teas and tea bags - Steep 2 to 5 minutes
Loose leaf tisane teas - Steep 3-5 minutes
Root and seed-based tisane teas - Steep 6-8 minutes
*Steep in newly boiling water (212ºF) to best release the health benefits.
WHAT'S COOKING:
Benibana Gohan
Cinnamon & Egyptian Safflower Spiced Lamb
Fakhdeh
Safflower Madeleines
Safflower Petal Chicken