Facts You Didn't Know About Safflower Oil

Let's start from the beginning. How many of us can explain what acids exist in our bodies, and what their roles are? How many of us have thoroughly explored the question of these acids' effectiveness? It is likely that we have heard the term 'linoleic acid' once or twice in our lives – but what about linolenic and oleic acids?

In this article, we aim to review a bit the differences between the various acids and their functions, so we can get to the 'cherry on top' – safflower oil (scientifically known as Carthamus tinctorius), which actually contains them all.

Safflower flower, from which the oil is extracted (YouTube screenshot)

Linoleic Acid: A polyunsaturated fatty acid. Essential for the body because it cannot produce it on its own, so it must be obtained from the food we consume. The name of the acid is derived from the Greek word "Linon" meaning flax. A deficiency in this acid in our body will cause dry hair and its loss and significantly delay wound healing.

Oleic Acid: A monounsaturated fatty acid. The name Oleic is directly connected to olive oil. It is found in high concentrations in foods like avocado, olives, pecans, and peanuts. The uses of this acid in various industries (medical, cosmetic, and more) are numerous and varied, and in the human body, it primarily helps lower blood pressure, aid in breast cancer healing, and reduce the risk of stroke or cerebral event.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid: An essential fatty acid rich in Omega-3.

Although this oil hasn't received favorable publicity (perhaps due to its strong odor) – it is known for its healing properties and a multitude of achievements achieved through its natural use (as a salad dressing, for example) or in capsules. Using this oil not only contributes to skin tightening and firming, but also helps strengthen hair and nail roots, heal wounds, renew dead skin cells, treat dryness and burns issues, prevent dandruff, and more.