Amazing Medicinal Purposes of The Sunflower Plant You had no Idea of.
From ancient time,plant are the main source of treatment and nowadays,they are the focal point of medicinal source not only in developing countries but also in developed countries where modern medicines are predominantly used.About 70-90% of the world's population depends on plants and it's extracts which acts as a core source of health care.
Among these plants used for health care includes flowering plants. It is important to know that, flowers do not only serve the purpose of decorations and gifting out to loved ones as a symbol of love ,care and affection.Some flowers are also known to possess nutritional values,hence ,very medicinal.
The sunflower, with its brightly yellow coloured petals and pigment green leaves ,limiting it's purpose to just being used as an ornamental plant is a huge error because the sunflower entails a lot in relation to health and nutritional factors.
"Helienthus annuus" is the botanical name of the sunflower. It is known to have originated from the Greek words helios(sun) and anthos(flower).The flower is traced to be native to North America. It can grow up to 4meters in height and penetrate up to 3 meters in the ground. Due to its deep roots and ability to soak up water and other harmful substances, sunflowers are often used for drying wetlands and cleaning contaminated soil.
It flowers from June to September. The medicinal parts of the sunflower plant are the petals,the seeds ,the oil and the leaves.
The petals of the sunflower are used in the preparation of herbal medicines such as tea and tincture.It has a bitter and strong flavour and has the smell of honey.Tea and tincture prepared of petals are believed to be very effective in the case of sore throat and to reduce inflation of the wind pipe and tonsils.The petals also contain xanthophyll, Choline ,betain,phytostrines ,sapogenins and sunflower acids.All these are very rare nutrients but are very essential and can be found in the petals.The petals also contains phenylalanine, which is a substance that helps prevent pain due to its anti inflammatory and analgesic effect.They can also be used for the preparation of wine,in preparation of wine,an amount of dry petals is covered with 1litre of white wine and left to stay for 15days stirring occasionally. Why spend a huge amount of money on wine when you can prepare it yourself with simple and healthy ingredients?.
The sunflower petals can also be used in salads and sandwiches. Apart from it being nutritious, it also tastes good in salads alongside other healthy vegetables and leaves.So the next time you think of making that delicious yet very healthy salad,do well not to leave out the almighty sunflower petals to complete the balance in your diet.
Probing further,let us take a keen look at the sunflower seed.Since ancient times,the plant seed has been thought of as one of the best and most nutritious foods and rightly so because the seed contains almost 23% protein and all essential amino acids in a significant volume. The different health advantages of sunflower seed is credited to very high level of polyunsaturated and mono saturated data, phytosterols, protein,copper,folates, iron ,zinc and vitamin B.
unshelled sunflower seeds
Just 25grams of seeds consumed a day will satisfy the daily need for vitamin E.Vitamin E and selenium are strong antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and thus protect the body from numerous diseases and malignant cancers.Vitamin E is important for brain functions. The seed can be eaten raw,dried or fried.It contains proteins almost as high as meat and can also be added to bread and pastries.
Sunflower seeds can be added to main meals for example soups,salads as well as desserts such as cakes and fruit salads.Preferably, it can also be grounded and added to breakfasts like porridge, granola...etc.
Shelled sunflower seeds
It is also considered that sunflower seeds help in increasing sexual power ,improve digestion, enhance energy levels, strengthens bones and muscles, works against infertility and even help with multiple scelerosis.
It is also recommended as a herbal remedy for arthritis.Also,seeds when cooked,can be used against cough and kidney inflammation.
Additionally, sunflower seeds are great source of various minerals such as calcium ,phosphorus, magnesium,natrium, potassium and iron.
With all these insights on the tremendous health benefits of sunflower seeds,make it a point to include it in your shopping list and make one available in your home and stay healthy.
Oil derived from sunflower is basically fats commonly derived from linoleic acid and oleic acid.It also contains fatty acids such as palmitic acids and stearic acid.This oil is light in weight,taste and colour and with little saturated level .
The oil is very beneficial to humans due to high amount of vitamin E.It also contains antioxidants that protect against reactive oxygen species.
Sunflower oil is largely utilized by our food industries. It can withstand high cooking temperature.
It also serves for the purpose of lubricants and cosmetic ingredients.It is also used as a vegetable oil.
Since is checking our weights is key in our world today especially Ghanaian society, it then makes it very relevant to also take the type of oils we consume into our body.As already stated above,sunflower contains very little amount of saturated fat and hence very low in calories. Therefore,it is advisable to do away with all the unhealthy fat generating oils and grab a sunflower oil in any supermarket nearby and make it your number one oil,henceforth.
To make your shopping a little easier for you,let me go ahead and mention some quality and affordable sunflower oils that are very accessible in Ghana.Just to mention a few,ee have Noor sunflower oil, Fortune sunflower oil, Golden drop ,Pride sunflower oil, Tesco sunflower oil, KTC sunflower oil,Sunar sunflower oil,Fleure sunflower oil, Unoli sunflower oil,Lele sunflower oil, Girasole sunflower oil,Canoline sunflower oil.With all these and many other sunflower oils on the market, you have no excuse not to be healthy.
There is no flower without leaves but not all leaves found on flowers are useful or more specifically beneficial to the human health. The sunflower plant has proven itself already due to the fact that all of its parts can be utilized. The leaves are expectorant, diuretic and astringent.The intake of leaves tea helps to reduce fever .The poultice of leaves is applied on sores,snake bites,spider bites and swelling. Leaves,when dried, can also used as a replacement for tobacco.
Not withstanding the enormous health benefits of the sunflower plant,it is Important to note that pollen extracts may cause allergic reactions or skin irritation to certain individuals. Do well to stay away from pollen extracts or nectar if you realise,it causes a reaction to your skin.
Priscilla Adoma Adu
DCS20657
From ancient time,plant are the main source of treatment and nowadays,they are the focal point of medicinal source not only in developing countries but also in developed countries where modern medicines are predominantly used.About 70-90% of the world's population depends on plants and it's extracts which acts as a core source of health care.
Among these plants used for health care includes flowering plants. It is important to know that, flowers do not only serve the purpose of decorations and gifting out to loved ones as a symbol of love ,care and affection.Some flowers are also known to possess nutritional values,hence ,very medicinal.
The sunflower, with its brightly yellow coloured petals and pigment green leaves ,limiting it's purpose to just being used as an ornamental plant is a huge error because the sunflower entails a lot in relation to health and nutritional factors.
"Helienthus annuus" is the botanical name of the sunflower. It is known to have originated from the Greek words helios(sun) and anthos(flower).The flower is traced to be native to North America. It can grow up to 4meters in height and penetrate up to 3 meters in the ground. Due to its deep roots and ability to soak up water and other harmful substances, sunflowers are often used for drying wetlands and cleaning contaminated soil.
It flowers from June to September. The medicinal parts of the sunflower plant are the petals,the seeds ,the oil and the leaves.
The petals of the sunflower are used in the preparation of herbal medicines such as tea and tincture.It has a bitter and strong flavour and has the smell of honey.Tea and tincture prepared of petals are believed to be very effective in the case of sore throat and to reduce inflation of the wind pipe and tonsils.The petals also contain xanthophyll, Choline ,betain,phytostrines ,sapogenins and sunflower acids.All these are very rare nutrients but are very essential and can be found in the petals.The petals also contains phenylalanine, which is a substance that helps prevent pain due to its anti inflammatory and analgesic effect.They can also be used for the preparation of wine,in preparation of wine,an amount of dry petals is covered with 1litre of white wine and left to stay for 15days stirring occasionally. Why spend a huge amount of money on wine when you can prepare it yourself with simple and healthy ingredients?.
The sunflower petals can also be used in salads and sandwiches. Apart from it being nutritious, it also tastes good in salads alongside other healthy vegetables and leaves.So the next time you think of making that delicious yet very healthy salad,do well not to leave out the almighty sunflower petals to complete the balance in your diet.
Probing further,let us take a keen look at the sunflower seed.Since ancient times,the plant seed has been thought of as one of the best and most nutritious foods and rightly so because the seed contains almost 23% protein and all essential amino acids in a significant volume. The different health advantages of sunflower seed is credited to very high level of polyunsaturated and mono saturated data, phytosterols, protein,copper,folates, iron ,zinc and vitamin B.
unshelled sunflower seeds
Just 25grams of seeds consumed a day will satisfy the daily need for vitamin E.Vitamin E and selenium are strong antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and thus protect the body from numerous diseases and malignant cancers.Vitamin E is important for brain functions. The seed can be eaten raw,dried or fried.It contains proteins almost as high as meat and can also be added to bread and pastries.
Sunflower seeds can be added to main meals for example soups,salads as well as desserts such as cakes and fruit salads.Preferably, it can also be grounded and added to breakfasts like porridge, granola...etc.
It is also considered that sunflower seeds help in increasing sexual power ,improve digestion, enhance energy levels, strengthens bones and muscles, works against infertility and even help with multiple scelerosis.
It is also recommended as a herbal remedy for arthritis.Also,seeds when cooked,can be used against cough and kidney inflammation.
Additionally, sunflower seeds are great source of various minerals such as calcium ,phosphorus, magnesium,natrium, potassium and iron.
With all these insights on the tremendous health benefits of sunflower seeds,make it a point to include it in your shopping list and make one available in your home and stay healthy.
Oil derived from sunflower is basically fats commonly derived from linoleic acid and oleic acid.It also contains fatty acids such as palmitic acids and stearic acid.This oil is light in weight,taste and colour and with little saturated level .
The oil is very beneficial to humans due to high amount of vitamin E.It also contains antioxidants that protect against reactive oxygen species.
Sunflower oil is largely utilized by our food industries. It can withstand high cooking temperature.
It also serves for the purpose of lubricants and cosmetic ingredients.It is also used as a vegetable oil.
Since is checking our weights is key in our world today especially Ghanaian society, it then makes it very relevant to also take the type of oils we consume into our body.As already stated above,sunflower contains very little amount of saturated fat and hence very low in calories. Therefore,it is advisable to do away with all the unhealthy fat generating oils and grab a sunflower oil in any supermarket nearby and make it your number one oil,henceforth.
To make your shopping a little easier for you,let me go ahead and mention some quality and affordable sunflower oils that are very accessible in Ghana.Just to mention a few,ee have Noor sunflower oil, Fortune sunflower oil, Golden drop ,Pride sunflower oil, Tesco sunflower oil, KTC sunflower oil,Sunar sunflower oil,Fleure sunflower oil, Unoli sunflower oil,Lele sunflower oil, Girasole sunflower oil,Canoline sunflower oil.With all these and many other sunflower oils on the market, you have no excuse not to be healthy.
There is no flower without leaves but not all leaves found on flowers are useful or more specifically beneficial to the human health. The sunflower plant has proven itself already due to the fact that all of its parts can be utilized. The leaves are expectorant, diuretic and astringent.The intake of leaves tea helps to reduce fever .The poultice of leaves is applied on sores,snake bites,spider bites and swelling. Leaves,when dried, can also used as a replacement for tobacco.
Not withstanding the enormous health benefits of the sunflower plant,it is Important to note that pollen extracts may cause allergic reactions or skin irritation to certain individuals. Do well to stay away from pollen extracts or nectar if you realise,it causes a reaction to your skin.
Priscilla Adoma Adu
DCS20657
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