#Khamfoi

Bright orange to deep red, the delicate dried florets of safflower—known in Thai as คำฝอย (kham foi)—float like miniature flames in herbal shops and bustling traditional markets across Thailand. For centuries, this “golden flower” has been cherished not only for its beauty but also for the promise it holds within its fragile petals: wellness, longevity, and the remedying of ailments both simple and profound. Today, as Thailand stands at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, safflower finds renewed interest, beckoning science to unravel the truths of its legendary virtues and inspiring a new generation to rediscover its potential.

Bright orange to deep red safflower petals are a familiar sight in Thai markets and herbal shops. Known locally as kham foi, this “golden flower” is celebrated for beauty, health, and healing. Today, Thailand blends traditional wisdom with modern research to uncover safflower’s potential and share its story with a new generation.

Safflower has deep roots in Southeast Asia, especially among the Lanna communities of northern Thailand. Dried petals are used in teas, natural colorants for rice and desserts, and in multi-herb blends that support circulation and women’s health. Thai traditional records describe kham foi as nourishing the blood, supporting heart vitality, regulating menstruation, and aiding recovery after childbirth. Healers also use it to ease abdominal discomfort, reduce bruising, and even as a scalp tonic to preserve hair color.