#Carthamustinctorius

Safflower, known in Thai as kam-foy, has long been a staple in traditional healing across Asia, including Thailand. Its bright petals are celebrated for multiple uses, and modern science is beginning to uncover how it works. This piece examines how ancient Thai wisdom and current research intersect, with practical guidance for health-minded readers.

In Thai culture, safflower is more than a culinary ingredient. Dried safflower florets, prized for their golden color and subtle flavor, have been part of everyday wellness. Thai names for the herb, including ดอกคำ and คำหยุม, reflect its dual role in food and medicine. Across Isan and the central plains, safflower blends are used to support vitality, with traditional applications ranging from menstrual support and mild discomfort relief to hair darkening in some rural communities. Dried petals are brewed into teas or incorporated into topical preparations. Elders often link safflower to women’s health and life energy, a view rooted in a holistic understanding of body, mind, and environment, as seen in historical Thai and regional texts and practices.

Safflower, known in Thai as “คำฝอย” (pronounced “kam-foy”), has been a staple in traditional medicine for generations across Asia, including the Kingdom of Thailand. Revered for its vibrant yellow-orange petals and multifaceted benefits, this ancient remedy is enjoying renewed interest as modern research uncovers its scientific underpinnings. But where does the wisdom of Thai healers intersect with today’s lab-based evidence, and what should health-conscious readers know before embracing this herbal staple?