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What are the functions of safflower in traditional Chinese medicine?

Nov 10, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
The functions of safflower (Hong Hua) in traditional Chinese medicine generally include promoting blood circulation to regulate menstruation, dispersing blood stasis to relieve pain, alleviating obstruction due to stasis, regulating irregular menstruation, and enhancing blood flow. Promoting Blood Circulation and Regulating Menstruation: Safflower is pungent and warm in nature, with a dispersing action, and is particularly effective in unblocking meridians and promoting blood circulation. It helps improve the flow of qi and blood in cases of meridian blockage caused by stagnation, making it a commonly used herb for treating gynecological disorders related to menstrual irregularities.

　　The functions of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) in traditional Chinese medicine generally include promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, dispersing blood stasis to relieve pain, alleviating blood stagnation, regulating irregular menstruation, and enhancing blood flow. A detailed analysis is as follows:

　　1. Promoting Blood Circulation and Regulating Menstruation: Safflower is pungent and warm in nature, with an outward-dispersing action, excelling at unblocking meridians and promoting blood circulation. It helps improve the flow of qi and blood in cases of stagnation causing poor circulation in the channels and is commonly used in treating gynecological conditions related to menstrual disorders.

　　2. Dispersing Blood Stasis and Relieving Pain: Safflower has a strong effect in resolving blood stasis and can dissolve accumulated stagnant blood in the body. It effectively relieves various types of pain caused by blood stagnation, such as local swelling and pain following trauma or stabbing pain in the chest and abdomen due to internal obstruction from blood stasis.

　　3. Alleviating Blood Stagnation: Safflower enhances blood circulation and dissipates internal blood stasis. It is suitable for conditions such as limb numbness and blocked meridians caused by blood stasis, helping to improve local blood and qi supply and reduce discomfort.

　　4. Regulating Irregular Menstruation: For delayed menstruation, scanty menstrual flow, or poor menstrual discharge caused by stagnation of qi and blood, safflower promotes blood circulation, removes stasis, and alleviates blockages, thus helping restore normal menstrual function.

　　5. Enhancing Blood Circulation: Safflower strengthens the movement of qi and blood, improving symptoms caused by blood stagnation such as dull complexion and ecchymosis. By promoting blood flow, it aids in eliminating stagnant impurities in the body and supports overall improvement in the condition of qi and blood.

　　Safflower should be used according to the principle of pattern differentiation. It should be used with caution in individuals with yin deficiency and excessive internal heat or those with bleeding due to heat forcing blood to flow irregularly. It should be prescribed under the guidance of a licensed TCM practitioner, often combined with other herbs to enhance efficacy and reduce risks. If any adverse reactions occur during use, discontinue immediately and seek medical attention.

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