Safflower Seed Oil | Safflower Oil stimulates hair growth |

Everything about Safflower Oil

Modified: 3^rd Dec 2020 ; By: Team Aromapedia

Botanical Name: Carthamus Tinctorius

Hey readers, hope you all doing great. I am back with another article on Safflower oil.

The 100% natural oil extracted from the seeds of safflower by cold pressing is popularly called safflower seed oil. Safflower oil is renowned for its use as carrier oil for topical application on hair and skin.

Safflower seed is an important alternative oil crop because of its high oil content (27%–32%), which is rich in linoleic acid (55%–70%). Cold pressed safflower oil possesses high nutritional and pharmaceutical values due to its noticeable amounts of bioactive compounds and essential fatty acids.

Rich in antioxidants, the Safflower oil is quite healthy for your skin. Prepared using natural techniques, the Safflower oil is totally natural as it does not contain any kind of chemicals or artificial preservatives. It is packed with useful nutrients, proteins and provides a natural aroma as well. The Safflower oil helps maintain good skin and scalp health and makes for an ideal addition to your healthy lifestyle.

Some Excellent Features of Safflower Seed Oil, we will tell you about:

Rich in antioxidants and nutrients
Loaded with essential fatty acids
Cold-pressed Safflower Oil
Promotes good skin and scalp health
Packed with useful nutrients

THE SKINCARE AND BEAUTY BENEFITS OF SAFFLOWER SEED OIL

Enriched with omega 6 essential fatty acid (also known as linoleic acid), safflower seed oil is renowned for its moisturising qualities and ideal for those with eczema or very dry and damaged skin that needs some relief. Its ingredients work to smooth, nourish and protect skin by retaining the skin’s natural moisture. Linoleic acid content helps to unclog pores and fight the build-up of sebum beneath the skin whilst stimulating skin cell regeneration, leading to younger and healthier looking skin.

It also helps to soothe inflammation and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Safflower seed oil also keeps hair shiny and improves scalp health thanks to the oleic acid and vitamin content that stimulates circulation and hair growth while strengthening hair follicles. Rub a little oil into the ends of your hair for a gorgeous shine.

History of Safflower Seed Oil

Safflowers (Carthamus Tinctorius) have had an expansive history and are still very much viable in both agricultural and commercial production. They have been found in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun and have been found numerous times in ancient Greek manuscripts. Safflower was also known as carthamine in the 1800’s and it is comparatively a minor crop in modern times.

The modern experimentation of pressing safflower seeds for their oil began in 1925 in Nebraska and Colorado, but wasn’t deemed profitable until about 30 years later where the production moved to other parts of the western United States and parts of western Canada. California produces almost 50% of the product in the United States; followed by North Dakota and Montana. Other states that produce the oil of safflower in much smaller quantities are South Dakota, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona. The pressing of the flower and seeds for their oil started to become popular in the 1960’s and as the benefits of the oil have been discovered, it is becoming more widely available in grocery stores and health specialty food markets.

Safflower Plant and seeds

Safflower is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual or winter annual, usually with many long sharp spines on the leaves. Plants are 30-150 cm tall with globular flower heads (capitula) and commonly brilliant yellow, orange or red flowers.

As birdseed, safflower seeds are slightly smaller than black oil sunflower seeds but similar in their tapered shape. They are white seeds and are high in protein, fat, and fibre that can provide superior nutrition to many different backyard birds. The Safflower seed oil is extracted by pressing the seeds of safflower under cold-press.

Safflower seeds v/s Sunflower seeds

Safflower seeds are slightly smaller than black oil sunflower seeds but similar in their tapered shape. They are white seeds and are high in protein, fat, and fiber that can provide superior nutrition to your skin health.

Extraction procedure of best Quality Safflower Seed Oil

The method used to extract the oil from the finest Safflower seeds by the cold press method as thismethod retains more of the oil’s natural properties such as purity, flavour, fragrance and nutritional value.

Cold pressing method is the process involving crushing seeds or nuts forcing out the oil through pressure. Free of chemicals and artificial preservatives, Organic Safflower oil comes with amazing taste and flavour. As no heating procedure is carried out, all nutrient contents are intact. The oil-seeds are hand-picked and dried under the sun and crushed in horizontal steel press. The oil is kept in sunlight for 2 days for the sediments to get settled. Safflower seeds are grown naturally, without any use of chemicals in the rural farms of South India. Fresh Safflower oil is extracted from organic and sun-dried Safflower seeds.

Physical and Chemical composition of Safflower Seed Oil

Physical Composition

Parameters	Specifications
Appearance @ 20° C	A yellow liquid with a typical odour & taste
Odour	Little nutty
Relative Density@ 20Deg C	0.912 – 0.930
Refractive Index@ 20Deg C	1.472 – 1.476
Iodine value (Calc)	120 – 135

Chemical Composition

Free Fatty Acid Profile

Palmitic C 16:0	5-8%
Stearic C 18:0	2.5-7%
Oleic C 18:1	20-40%
Linoleic C 18:2	50-74%
Alpha Linolenic C 18:3	Max 0.5

Medicinal Properties of Safflower oil at a glance!

Safflower Oil has following healing properties:

Anti-atherogenic
Antihyperlipidemic
Anti-ischemic
Anti-thrombotic
Immunomodulatory
Antioxidant
Mild laxative
Wound healing enhancer

SAFFLOWER OIL BENEFITS

The main chemical constituents of Safflower Oil are Oleic, Linoleic, Palmitic, Stearic, and alpha linolenic acids.

OLEIC ACID (OMEGA-9) is known to:

Maintain the softness, suppleness, and radiance of skin and hair.
Stimulate the growth of thicker, longer, and stronger hair.
Reduce the appearance of aging, such as premature wrinkles and fine lines.

LINOLEIC ACID (OMEGA-6) is known to:

Moisturize hair and promote its growth.
Facilitate wound healing.
Be an effective emulsifier in the formulation of soaps and quick-drying oils.
Exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.
Soothe acne and reduce chances of future outbreaks.
Promote moisture retention in skin and hair.

PALMITIC ACID is known to:

Have emollient properties.
Soften hair without leaving a greasy or sticky residue.
Be the most common saturated fatty acid.

STEARIC ACID is known to:

Have cleansing properties that eliminate dirt, sweat, and excess sebum from hair and skin.
Be an ideal emulsifying agent that binds water and oil.
Help products remain potent when stored for long periods of time.

ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID (OMEGA-3) is known to:

Lessen inflammation.
Control blood clotting on the skin.
Soothe joint pain and ease stiffness to improve flexibility.

Used as a topical applicant on skin, Safflower oil is known to have a light consistency and non-greasy texture that is ideal for hydrating dry or acne-prone skin while calming irritation, rashes, and inflammation. It is renowned to facilitate the decongestion of pores while promoting cell regeneration to diminish the appearance of scars and signs of aging, such as wrinkles, for a smooth, youthful, and radiant appearance.

With regular application, Safflower oil is reputed to enhance skin’s texture, tone, overall appearance, and quality. By working to effectively eliminate whiteheads, blackheads, and ultimately acne, Safflower Oil reduces signs of blemishes while preventing future breakouts.

Oleic acids in the oil are highly beneficial for soothing and conditioning the scalp and hair. By contributing shine and enhancing circulation, Safflower Oil stimulates hair growth as well as its strength. The antioxidant and nourishing properties of Safflower oil are known to protect hair against the harsh effects of environmental stressors, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Precautions and safety measures

Safflower seed oil is for external use only.

It is imperative to consult a medical practitioner before using this oil for therapeutic purposes. Pregnant and nursing women are especially advised not to use Safflower seed oil without the medical advice of a physician.

The oil should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, especially those under the age of 7.

Those who are already suffering from health conditions are recommended to be advised by a physician, cancer, heart-related ailments, skin disorders, hormone-related ailments, hypertension, or any chronic health condition.

Though the use of oil is completely safe but we recommend you to always consult a doctor or physician before using, because it varies from gender to gender, skin type, sensibility and other multiple factors.

And it is also quite important to do a patch test for allergies and effects.

Online Availability

You can easily find this precious Safflower seed oil either in any pharmacy or on online platforms.

Amazon, Flipkart, Alibaba and many other platforms.

But make sure to buy your Safflower Seed Oil from a certified seller only.

Shelf Life

Users can expect a shelf life of up to 2 years with proper storage conditions (cool, out of direct sunlight).

Refrigeration after opening is recommended. Please refer to the Certificate of Analysis for current Best before date.

Drug Interactions

For Safflower oil use on skin by tropical application there are no such clinically proven interactions, but a person on any high or serious medication; skin related medication must consult their respective physicians before use.