Safflower Oil

A member of the sunflower family, the safflower plant (Carthamus tinctorius) is a 30-16cm tall plant with bright yellow, globular flower heads that bloom in the month of July. Each branch of this plant is adorned with two to four flowers comprising 15-20 seeds each. These seeds when crushed conduce to safflower oil.

There are two methods by which the oil is extracted from the seeds, one is called the mechanical process, while the other is called the chemical process. In the mechanical process, the oil is extracted from the plant with the help of a natural expeller.

In the chemical process the oil is refined by addition of chemicals, however, in this process the oil gets contaminated with some harmful chemical that have side effects on the body. Thus, the mechanical method is better, as it does not interfere with the natural ingredients found in safflower oil.

This type of safflower oil is odorless, colorless and is high in oleic acid content; is shelf-stable and is used as a heat-stable cooking oil. However, even though it is shelf-stable, it needs to be stored in a cool, dry place away from external light to prevent spoilage. It has a high smoking point which makes it a suitable oil for deep frying, etc.

This type is a colorless and tasteless oil, that is loaded with a great amount of nutritional value. It's high in linoleic acid. Used as a cold oil, this oil is great to add to dressings, etc. However, the polyunsaturated oil needs to be handled really carefully as it tends to get rancid really easily. Storing it in the fridge will be good.

Safflower oil is added to skin-care products like facial cleansers, moisturizers, conditioners, as it acts as a lubricant with occlusive properties. This means that this oil acts like a protective barrier that stops water from evaporating from the surface of the skin.

Safflower oil contains essential fatty acid called linoleic acid, which is quite powerful in removing dirt and oil from the skin. This oil also works on one's skin to reduce dryness, roughness and soothes and softens skin problems.

This oil is also great for enhancing hair growth as it contains vitamin E. Perming hair, coloring it regularly, etc. causes the hair to become quite dry. This is why such people need to get safflower oil massage to revitalize the hair. Since this oil gets absorbed easily into the scalp, it assists in preventing hair loss and also helps in hair regrowth.

Consuming polyunsaturated safflower oil daily helps increase body metabolism and reduces fat percentages. Supplements of safflower oil or the liquid form can be taken on a daily basis to assist in weight loss.

The oil is unsaturated and is associated with weight loss by increasing body metabolism. In fact, research conducted by the Ohio State University researchers revealed that consuming safflower oil raises production of adiponectin hormone in the body, which in turn speeds up more efficient fat burning.

Though we are not aware of any side effects as of now, it is important to consume this oil in moderation. With any natural, herbal treatment, one needs to be cautious. Never consume any such oil or herb before consulting your health care provider.

People with certain medical conditions can end up in life-threatening situations if the body acts negatively. If you are looking for a substitute, then canola oil would be a good option.