Carthamus tinctorius L. (KUSUMBHA)

It is an extensively praised tree in brhat trayi texts.  Kusumbha taila is quoted at several places. Its leaves are also used as leafy vegetables.  According to kaiyadeva its leaf is claimed to be guru-usna guna, madhura-amla rasa, kaphahara and pittavardhaka. Kusumbha is mentioned as alternate species (Abhavapratinithi) for Kumukmam (Saffron). But is not equivalent in any manner when tested for chemical constituents.

Botanical description – A slender, glabrous or pubescent, much-branched, annual herb; leaves entire, unarmed or spinulose-serrate; flowers orange-red, yellow, sometimes white; fruits 4-angled, obovoid achenes, without pappus.  Flowring and fruiting during December-January.  Cultivated throughout India as an oilseed crop, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Part used –  whole plant, seeds, flowers.

Uses – Flowers are used as emmanagogue; Seeds are known to be anti-arthritic, diuretic, purgative and tonic.