Important commercial source of cooking oil and orange dye. The flowers are brillant orange and are an inexpensive substitute for saffron in cooking and in dyeing. They also stimulate menstruation, relieve abdominal pain, and are laxative and diaphoretic. Chinese research shows that the flowers and purified seed oil can reduce cholesterol levels. Sow where it is to grow - it doesn't like being moved. Packet(Standard): $3.50; 1/8 oz: $4.50; 1/4 oz: $8.50; 1/2 oz: $16.00; 1 oz: $30.00 - 2,240 seeds/oz