Safflower oil

Safflower oil is derived from Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), a member of the Basket Flower family.

Safflower oil is extracted from safflower seeds and is produced by hot or cold pressing.

Although some people use safflower oil for medicinal purposes, there is no scientific evidence that it can be used to treat diseases or other health problems.

Safflower oil is also marketed under the name vitamin E oil because some safflower oils have a natural vitamin E content.

In this article you can read about the properties and uses of safflower oil, but also about the precautions and side effects associated with the oil.

Properties of safflower oil

Undocumented properties

There is no scientific evidence that safflower oil can be used for the following health problems:

Some people also use safflower oil:

• to reduce sweating
• as a laxative
• as an expectorant

In addition, some women use safflower oil for abortion and menstrual problems (such as missed periods or menstrual pain).

It should be emphasized that the above uses are not documented. It is always recommended to consult a doctor if you are ill.

Studied properties with lack of documentation

There are studies on the effect of safflower oil on the following diseases, but no scientific evidence that the oil can be used for prevention, treatment, symptom relief, etc:

It should be emphasized that none of the health problems above can be treated with safflower oil.

Fatty acid profile

Below you will find the fatty acid profile of a typical safflower oil:

Fatty acids	Fatty acid type	Typical content
Palmitic acid	Monounsaturated	4-9%
Palmitoleic acid	Monounsaturated	Trace amounts
Stearic acid	Saturated	Traces-2.5%
Oleic acid	Monounsaturated	72-80%
Linoleic acid	Polyunsaturated omega-6	12-16%
Alpha linolenic acid	Omega-3 polyunsaturated	Traces-0.5%

Uses of safflower oil

There are two types of safflower that produce two different types of oil, each with its own uses:

• Industrial oil: This safflower oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and is mainly used as a substitute for linseed oil in white paint, as it does not have the yellow color of linseed oil. In industry, safflower oil is also used for coloring various materials (such as textiles, cosmetics, etc.).

• Edible oil: This safflower oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid) and is used as an edible oil. It has a lower saturated fatty acid content than olive oil, for example. Refined safflower oil has a smoke point of 266°C, which is higher than most other edible oils (examples: sunflower oil; 232°C, virgin olive oil; 199°C), making it suitable for frying at high temperatures.

In aromatherapy, safflower oil is mainly used as a massage oil.

Precautionary measures

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: All consumption of safflower oil is not recommended during pregnancy as it is suspected to cause miscarriage. There is no documented knowledge about the effects of the oil on breastfeeding mothers, but to be on the safe side, it is best not to consume the oil.

• Allergy: Safflower and safflower oil can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to plants in the Marigold family. This especially applies to plants in the genusAmbrosia, which includes: chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies – but there are many more.

• Bleeding problems: Because safflower and safflower oil can inhibit the blood's ability to clot (coagulate), all consumption is not recommended for people who have bleeding problems – such as stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders (hemophilia) or other clotting disorders.

• Surgery: Since safflower oil can affect the blood's ability to clot, this can also be a problem during and after surgery. Therefore, it is recommended to stop all consumption of safflower oil at least 2 weeks before surgery.

• Low blood pressure: When high doses of safflower oil are taken daily, the oil may reduce blood pressure (although studies in this area are conflicting). Safflower oil should be taken with caution if you have low blood pressure and you should always consult your general practitioner in any case.

• Diabetes: Safflower oil may affect the body's blood sugar levels, which can be problematic in diabetic patients. However, studies on the effect of safflower oil on blood sugar are very scarce and as yet undocumented. Consult your general practitioner if you have diabetes and want to take safflower oil.

• Interactions: Safflower oil may interact with medications that affect the blood's ability to clot (so-called anticoagulants) and possibly also with blood pressure and diabetes medications. If you take medication regularly, you should consult your doctor before taking safflower oil.

Side effects of safflower oil

Side effects (especially when taking safflower oil daily) may include: