Kusumbha — Safflower

Ayurvedic herb Kusumbha (Carthamus tinctorius) — Safflower. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Katu, Madhura, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Kapha.

This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Safflower seeds and oil are used for their laxative properties and in managing heart conditions, but are very heating.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKatu, MadhuraKatu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant; Madhura (Sweet) — nourishing, grounding, promotes tissue growth
GunaGuru, TikshnaGuru (Heavy) — increases bulk, grounding; Tikshna (Sharp) — penetrating, stimulating
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaVirechana, HridayaVirechana — purgative, therapeutic cleansing; Hridaya — cardiac tonic, heart health

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Kusumbha is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Vahni-shikha, Koustumbha, Mharajana

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Kusumbha are: phala, pushpa, bija taila.

Main Indications

Kusumbha is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Arsha, Vibandha, Raktadosha, Hridroga, Pratishyaya.

Dosha Effects

Kusumbha pacifies Vata, Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Kusumbha is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Madhura, Kaṣ¡ya, Tikta, Kauu
Guna (Quality)Snigdha, Guru
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Mūtrala, Sarvadoṣaprakopaka, Svedajanana, Vid¡hi, Virecana
DoseCūrḍa (powder): 2 to 4 g
Therapeutic Uses: āmav¡ta (Rheumatism), A¿mari (calculus), Daurbalya
Important Formulations: Used as single drug
Botanical Name: Carthamus tinctorius (Asteraceae)
Part Used: Fruit

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
flowerHair lossMESH:D000505,UMLS:C0002170, DOID:987, ICD-11:ED70ISBN:9770972795006
flowerAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9780387706375
flowerAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9788172362089
flowerAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9788172362089
flowerAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788190595216
flowerBlisterMESH:D001768,UMLS:C1579830, ICD-11:ME63.3ISBN:9788190595216
flowerBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9770972795006
flowerCarrageenanMESH:D002351,UMLS:C0007289, ICD-11:XM4663ISBN:9788172362089
flowerParalysis of brain and spineMESH:D002547,UMLS:C0007789, DOID:1969, ICD-11:8D2ZISBN:9788172360481
flowerCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788190595216
flowerCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788190595216
flowerDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788190595216
flowerDysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9788190595216
flowerExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerFurunculosisMESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerGenital diseases, femaleMESH:D005831,UMLS:C0017411, ICD-11:GA6ZISBN:9788190595216
flowerHair dyesMESH:D006202,UMLS:C0018501, ICD-11:ED73.10ISBN:9770972795006
flowerHeart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:9788172360481, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerHematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9788190595216
flowerHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
flowerHypercholesterolemiaMESH:D006937,UMLS:C0020443, ICD-11:5C80.0ISBN:9770972795006
flowerHypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788172362089, ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
flowerJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9788172361266
flowerLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024
flowerLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
flowerLiver injuryMESH:D008099,UMLS:C0160390, ICD-11:NB91.1Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerLiver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerMeaslesMESH:D008457,UMLS:C0025007, DOID:8622, ICD-11:1F03ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788190595216
flowerMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerMouth diseasesMESH:D009059,UMLS:C0026636, DOID:403ISBN:9770972795006
flowerNervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9788172360481
flowerPoliomyelitisMESH:D011051,UMLS:C0032371, DOID:4953, ICD-11:1C81ISBN:9788172360481
flowerGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerScabiesMESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerSkin careMESH:D017592,UMLS:C0150773Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9780387706375, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
flowerSplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
flowerTaste disordersMESH:D013651,UMLS:C0039338, ICD-11:MB41.2Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerUrinary calculiMESH:D014545,UMLS:C0042018, ICD-11:GB70.ZStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
flowerUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
flowerVitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerBody odorUMLS:C0263472, ICD-11:ED92.1Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
flowerDiaphoreticUMLS:C1707737ISBN:9788172361266
fruitAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9788190595216
fruitAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitArteriosclerosisMESH:D001161,UMLS:C0003850, DOID:2349, ICD-11:BD40.ZStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitAtherosclerosisMESH:D050197,UMLS:C0004153, DOID:1936, ICD-11:BD40.ZStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitCalculiMESH:D002137,UMLS:C0006736ISBN:9788190595216
fruitCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitCholesterolMESH:D002784,UMLS:C0008377, ICD-11:5C80.00Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788190595216, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitDepressive disorderMESH:D003866,UMLS:C0011581, ICD-11:6A7ZStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitDigestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9788190595216
fruitDysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9788190595216
fruitEczemaMESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitFatigueMESH:D005221,UMLS:C0015672, ICD-11:MG22ISBN:9788190595216
fruitHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788190595216
fruitJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9788190595216
fruitLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitMental disordersMESH:D001523,UMLS:C0004936, ICD-11:6E8ZStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitPharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitRespiratory tract infectionsMESH:D012141,UMLS:C0035243, ICD-11:CA45Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitScabiesMESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
fruitVitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - IV
leafAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717024
leafCalculiMESH:D002137,UMLS:C0006736ISBN:9788190595216
leafCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006
leafCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
leafDeafnessMESH:D003638,UMLS:C0011053, ICD-11:AB52ISBN:9788190595216
leafDeliriumMESH:D003693,UMLS:C0011206, ICD-11:6D70ISBN:9788190595216
leafDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788173717024
leafDysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9788190595216
leafEye diseasesMESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1ZISBN:9788190595216
leafFatigueMESH:D005221,UMLS:C0015672, ICD-11:MG22ISBN:9788190595216
leafGenital diseases, femaleMESH:D005831,UMLS:C0017411, ICD-11:GA6ZISBN:9788190595216
leafGraves ophthalmopathyMESH:D049970,UMLS:C0339143, ICD-11:5A02.0ISBN:9788173717024
leafHematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:9788190595216
leafLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788173717024
leafMetabolismMESH:D008660, ICD-11:XM3BT8ISBN:9788190595216
leafPhotosensitivity disordersMESH:D010787,UMLS:C0031762, DOID:3159ISBN:9788172362089
leafSkin careMESH:D017592,UMLS:C0150773ISBN:9770972795006
leafUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006
leafUrologic diseasesMESH:D014570,UMLS:C0042075ISBN:9788190595216
leafVaginal diseasesMESH:D014623,UMLS:C0042251, DOID:121, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:9788190595216
plant exudateTonsillitisMESH:D014069,UMLS:C0040425, DOID:10456, ICD-11:CA03.ZISBN:9770972795006
rootDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006
seedAcne vulgarisMESH:D000152,UMLS:C0702166, DOID:6543, ICD-11:ED80.ZISBN:9770972795006
seedAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
seedAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
seedAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedAntinematodal agentsMESH:D000969,UMLS:C0003391, ICD-11:XM16G5ISBN:9770972795006
seedAntipruriticsMESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788173717024
seedAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792
seedAphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedArthritisMESH:D001168,UMLS:C0003864, DOID:848, ICD-11:FA2ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
seedAtherosclerosisMESH:D050197,UMLS:C0004153, DOID:1936, ICD-11:BD40.ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172360481
seedCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra), Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedChest painMESH:D002637,UMLS:C0008031, ICD-11:MD30.ZISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedCholinesterase inhibitorsMESH:D002800,UMLS:C0008425ISBN:9788172360481
seedCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
seedDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024
seedEar diseasesMESH:D004427,UMLS:C0013447, ICD-11:AC0ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedEczemaMESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595ISBN:9788171360536
seedExanthemaMESH:D005076,UMLS:C0015230Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedEye diseasesMESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1ZISBN:9788173717024
seedFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedHematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedHypercholesterolemiaMESH:D006937,UMLS:C0020443, ICD-11:5C80.0ISBN:9788172360481
seedInsulin regulationMESH:D007328ISBN:9788172360481
seedLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedLiver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedMeaslesMESH:D008457,UMLS:C0025007, DOID:8622, ICD-11:1F03Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788173717024
seedParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9788172360481
seedPharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedIncrease physical endurance, strength and staminaMESH:D010807Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedPostnatal careMESH:D011181,UMLS:C0032782Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedPruritusMESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedScabiesMESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788173717024
seedVitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9788173717024, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9780387706375, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedScarlet feverMESH:D012541,UMLS:C0036285, DOID:8596, ICD-11:1B50Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
seedDiaphoreticUMLS:C1707737Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
whole plantAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantParaplegiaMESH:D010264,UMLS:C0030486, DOID:607, ICD-11:MB56ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantPruritusMESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
Hair lossMESH:D000505,UMLS:C0002170, DOID:987, ICD-11:ED70ISBN:9788172362089
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
ArteriosclerosisMESH:D001161,UMLS:C0003850, DOID:2349, ICD-11:BD40.ZISBN:9780387706375
Cardiovascular diseasesMESH:D002318,UMLS:C0007222, DOID:1287, ICD-11:BE2ZISBN:9788172362089
Common coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
FibrosisMESH:D005355,UMLS:C0016059, ICD-11:DB93.ZISBN:9788172361792
JaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9788172361792
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172361792, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
MenopauseMESH:D008593,UMLS:C0025320, ICD-11:GA30.0ISBN:9788172362089
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006
Veterinary medicineMESH:D014730,UMLS:C0042615Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
Wounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
Cooling effect on bodyUMLS:C0678568Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III