Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Safflower oil has traditionally been used in various systems of medicine, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to support circulation and treat conditions associated with "blood stasis." In TCM, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) petals and oil are believed to invigorate the blood and remove stasis, which is historically associated with improved peripheral circulation and relief of pain. Folk medicine practices in other parts of the world, such as the Middle East and India, have also used safflower oil for its purported effects on cardiovascular health and circulation.

However, scientific evidence supporting these traditional claims is limited. Some preclinical studies suggest that safflower oil, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially linoleic acid), may have beneficial effects on lipid profiles, which could indirectly support cardiovascular health. There are also a few small-scale human studies and animal models indicating that safflower extracts might improve blood flow or reduce blood viscosity. Despite these findings, there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to conclusively validate safflower oil's effectiveness for treating poor circulation.

In summary, the use of safflower oil for poor circulation is primarily justified by traditional medical systems rather than robust scientific validation. The evidence, while suggestive, is not strong, and more rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish its efficacy for this purpose.

More about safflower oil
More about Circulation (poor)

Other ingredients used for Circulation (poor)

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