Safflower is a medicinal plant rich in linolenic and linoleic acids. Consuming safflower seed oil on a regular basis might improve the health of your heart by improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Safflower seed oil can be used to cook food and also is available as an over-the-counter supplement in capsule form.
Consult A Doctor
Your doctor is the only person qualified to recommend treatment with a particular herbal supplement, such as safflower seed oil. For this reason, talk with your doctor about the safety of safflower seed oil during pregnancy before consuming this type of oil.
Overall Safety
Generally, safflower seed oil is believed to be safe for you to take orally while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Contraindications and Interactions
Consuming safflower seed oil might not be advised for pregnant women who have other health concerns or are taking certain medication. To avoid a severe and potentially deadly allergic reaction, do not take safflower seed oil if you're allergic to any member of the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family, such as ragweed, daisies and marigolds. In addition, don't consume this natural oil if you have blood clotting or bleeding problems or an ulcer. Avoid using safflower seed oil in conjunction with blood-thinning medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin and clopidogrel. Safflower oil might enhance the effects of such treatment and can increase your risk of developing bleeding or bruising problems.
Additional Precautions
Unlike safflower seed oil, the flower of the safflower plant is toxic during pregnancy. Do not use any type of supplement that contains dried or powdered safflower flowers while pregnant. If used inappropriately during pregnancy, safflower flowers might cause fetal death or irregular vaginal bleeding. Seek prompt medical care if you accidentally ingest safflower flowers while you are pregnant.