CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS

CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS.—紅藍花 (Hung-lan-hua). Other names, 紅花 (Hung-hua) and 黃藍 (Huang-lan), although this latter is possibly a confounding this with Crocus sativus. The commercial designations are 紅花 (Hung-hua), 530, and 藥花 (Yao-hua), 1510; the former being the best quality used for dyeing, and the latter an inferior kind used as a drug. The natural habitat of this plant, which is safflower, was regarded by the Chinese as Thibet. It is now extensively cultivated throughout China. The famous traveler and general, Chang Chien, brought the seeds from Turkestan. The flowers are extensively used for dyeing purposes and in the making of rouge. Medicinally, they are regarded as having stimulant, sedative, alterative, emmenagogue, and discutient properties. On account of their red color, they are thought to have an especial value in affections connected with the blood. They are also used to cause abortion and to expel a retained placenta. The shoots of the young plant are eaten in times of scarcity. The seeds are given as a lenitive or purgative in apoplexy and dropsy. An oil obtained from the seeds is used as a lubricant. It is also used in candle-making.