Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Kusumbha

Carthamus tinctorius

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 nameCarthamus tinctorius
FamilyAsteraceae · other entries in this family
OrderAsterales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3138327 · Wikidata Q156625 · NCBI Taxonomy 4222

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKusumbha

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Katu, MadhuraPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Guru, TikshnaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)UshnaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-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

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 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

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews5

  1. Patel P, Wang JY, Mineroff J and others. 2023. The potential cutaneous benefits of Carthamus tinctorius oleosomesArchives of dermatological research. PMID 38060028 · doi:10.1007/s00403-023-02750-y
  2. Xian B, Wang R, Jiang H and others. 2022. Comprehensive review of two groups of flavonoids in Carthamus tinctorius LBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 36076573 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113462
  3. Liang Y, Wang L. 2022. Carthamus tinctorius L.: A natural neuroprotective source for anti-Alzheimer's disease drugsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 36041691 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115656
  4. Zhang LL, Tian K, Tang ZH and others. 2016. Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Carthamus tinctorius LThe American journal of Chinese medicine. PMID 27080938 · doi:10.1142/S0192415X16500130
  5. Asgarpanah J, Kazemivash N. 2013. Phytochemistry, pharmacology and medicinal properties of Carthamus tinctorius LChinese journal of integrative medicine. PMID 23371463 · doi:10.1007/s11655-013-1354-5

Laboratory and animal studies7

  1. Shen R, Zhao W, Wang Y and others. 2025. Multi-omics analysis reveals Angelica sinensis-Carthamus tinctorius herb pair ameliorates diabetic retinopathy comorbid with depressive symptoms via the gut-eye-brain axisPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 40449450 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156874
  2. Pan B, Chen F, Shen S and others. 2025. Hydroxysafflor Yellow A modulation of metabolite networks and inhibition of JAK2/STAT1 pathway in sepsisScientific reports. PMID 40670549 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-11545-2
  3. Yang R, Lin F, Wang W and others. 2024. Investigating the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Carthamus tinctorius L.-derived nanovesicles in atherosclerosis treatmentCell communication and signaling : CCS. PMID 38475787 · doi:10.1186/s12964-024-01561-6
  4. Wang Q, Liu S, Xu L and others. 2023. Purification, Characterization and Bioactivities of Polysaccharides Extracted from Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36677653 · doi:10.3390/molecules28020596
  5. Wu Z, Yang T, Qin R and others. 2023. Complete Mitogenome and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Carthamus tinctorius LGenes. PMID 37239339 · doi:10.3390/genes14050979
  6. Li L, Liu J, Li X and others. 2022. Sesquiterpenoids from the Florets of Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) and Their Anti-Atherosclerotic ActivityNutrients. PMID 36558507 · doi:10.3390/nu14245348
  7. Albaiz AS. 2022. The Use of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) in Treating Depression and AnxietyCureus. PMID 35198336 · doi:10.7759/cureus.22278

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Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.