THE USE OF SAFFLOWER (Carthamus tinctorius L.) IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND ITS DESCRIPTION IN THE WORKS OF IBN SINA

Abstract

Throughout the course of human civilization, the use of medicinal plants has played a crucial role in maintaining health and treating various diseases. Since ancient times, natural resources have served as the primary means of preventing illnesses and restoring the physical well-being of humans. In particular, traditional medicine has accumulated extensive experience in the use of medicinal plants, which have been passed down from generation to generation and remain relevant even today.

One such valuable medicinal plant is safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), which has been widely recognized for its therapeutic, nutritional, and dye-producing properties. Safflower has been used for centuries in the countries of the East, including China, India, Iran, Arab regions, and Central Asia. In these regions, different parts of the plant—especially its flowers, seeds, and oil—have been applied in the treatment of various diseases, as well as in food preparation and natural dye production.

Information about safflower can also be found in the works of the great scholar and physician Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna), one of the most prominent figures in the history of medicine. In his renowned medical encyclopedia “Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb” (The Canon of Medicine), Ibn Sina provided scientifically grounded descriptions of the medicinal properties of safflower, emphasizing its effects on digestion, liver function, and overall bodily balance. His observations demonstrate the advanced level of medical knowledge achieved during his time and highlight the importance of medicinal plants in classical medicine.

This article aims to comprehensively examine the botanical characteristics of safflower, its application in the traditional medicine of various countries, and the descriptions and evaluations given to this plant in the works of Ibn Sina. By analyzing both traditional knowledge and classical medical sources, the study seeks to demonstrate the enduring medicinal value of safflower and its relevance in both historical and modern contexts.