# Kusumbha

> Kusumbha (Carthamus tinctorius) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Linoleic acid in seed oil is well-absorbed (>80%). Carthamin (red pigment) has limited systemic absorption but good topical activity. Liposomal encapsulation of HSYA improves oral bioavailability by 5-fold.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Carthamus tinctorius

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Kusumbha |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu, Madhura | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Guru, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Taila (Safflower seed oil), Churna (flower/seed powder), Kashayam (flower decoction), Capsule, Lepa (flower paste for external use)

**Standard Dosage:** 5-10 mL safflower oil daily; 2-4 g flower powder; 30-50 mL flower decoction; 500 mg capsule twice daily

**Bioavailability:** Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) — primary flavonoid — has low oral bioavailability (~5-10%) due to poor membrane permeability and rapid hepatic metabolism. Linoleic acid in seed oil is well-absorbed (>80%). Carthamin (red pigment) has limited systemic absorption but good topical activity. Liposomal encapsulation of HSYA improves oral bioavailability by 5-fold. Sublingual or nasal delivery being explored for HSYA in cardiovascular applications.

**Optimal Timing:** Oil: with meals for cardiovascular and metabolic benefit; flower preparations: after meals; decoction for emmenagogue effect: during relevant menstrual phase under guidance

**Standardized Extract:** Flower extract standardized to minimum 2% HSYA and 1% carthamin by HPLC; seed oil standardized to minimum 70% linoleic acid (high-linoleic variety) or 70% oleic acid (high-oleic variety)

**Shelf Life:** 12 months for safflower oil (polyunsaturated — oxidation-prone); 18 months for flower powder; 24 months for capsules; 6 months for fresh oil without [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/)

**Storage:** Safflower oil in dark glass bottles, refrigerated (2-8°C) after opening. Flower powder in airtight, light-protected containers at 15-25°C. Nitrogen-flushed packaging extends oil stability.

**Marker Compounds:** Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), Carthamin, Carthamidin, Safflor yellow B, Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, [Serotonin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#serotonin) derivatives, N-feruloyl serotonin

### Extraction Methods

- Cold pressing of seeds for safflower oil
- Water extraction of flower petals for pigment and HSYA
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol) for comprehensive flavonoid profile
- Solvent extraction (hexane) for high-yield oil production
- Supercritical CO2 for carthamin-enriched fraction

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) ([Turmeric](/herb/turmeric/)) for anti-inflammatory synergy
- Kumkuma ([Saffron](/herb/saffron/)) for [cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) and emmenagogue combination
- [Arjuna](/herb/arjuna/) for cardiovascular support
- [Guggulu](/formulation/guggulu/) for [hypolipidemic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hypolipidemic) formulations
- [Methi](/herb/methi/) for metabolic syndrome management

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/kusumbha/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.