Meet the Sunflower

Sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine. During the 2022 russian war in Ukraine, the sunflower became a worldwide symbol of solidarity with Ukraine, symbol of freedom.

But what do you know about sunflower and it’s uses?

Sunflower came from the Greek word “Helios” (Sun) and “Anthos” (Flower). Helianthus is a genus comprising about 70 species of annual and perennial flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae commonly known as sunflowers.

The most popular species of sunflower is the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), whose round flower heads in combination with the ligules look like the Sun. This and other species are cultivated in temperate regions and some tropical regions as food crops for humans, cattle, and poultry, and as ornamental plants. The species H. annuus typically grows during the summer and into early fall, with the peak growth season being mid-summer.

Sunflowers are thought to have been domesticated 3000–5000 years ago and were as a source for edible seeds.

The role of the sunflower is much more wide-ranging nowadays.

"Children and sunflowers are meant to be grown together!"

Sunflower seeds offer a great source of vitamin E which is an antioxidant and helps to keep your skin and eyes in good health as well as your immune system. As well as vitamin E, they contain vitamins A and B, protein, iron, calcium and nitrogen.

Sunflower shoots/microgreens contain up to 25% protein and are rich in nutrients: amino acids, calcium, chlorophyll, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins A, B, C and E.

Sunflower leaves have several uses that make the sunflower plant an important crop whose benefits go beyond seed oil to medicine and manufacturing.

Human food

Every part of the sunflower has a use for something, and no part goes to waste:

Sunflower seeds

Cooking oil considered to be healthier because it is low in saturated fat which basically means that it contains less of the unhealthy type of fat content:

• bake with it

• fry with it

• use it as the base for a salad oil dressing

• oil is used in the process of making margarine, mayonnaise

The seeds of a sunflower plant are a healthy and nutritious snack that can be eaten as part of a good, balanced diet:

• you can eat the seeds just as they are

• roasted off for some extra flavor

• sprinkle them on top of salads for a bit of crunch

• use them when baking in cakes

• you can also get sunflower seeds that are covered in chocolate

Non-Gluten GF flour:

• you can buy sunflower flour and you can also make your own flour version at home where it is especially useful for those following a gluten free diet

• use sunflower seed meal as a cheaper substitute for almond meal

Sunflower seed milk. Great alternative for milk and makes a great choice for vegans and also those who are looking for a dairy free or nut free milk option. Rich in protein, nutritious, dairy free, nut free and delicious. You can use it to make:

• smoothies

• milkshakes

• to prepare porridge

• add to cereals etc as you like.

Coffee

The sunflower seed hulls can be used as a coffee substitute.

Sunflower seed butter

Sunflowers can be processed into a peanut butter alternative (sunflower seed butter has more minerals than peanut butter and significantly less saturated fat).

The roots of the sunchoke

The roots of the sunchoke, a species of sunflower also called “Jerusalem artichoke” or “sunroot,” can be:

• roasted

• sliced thin and fried

• shredded into slaw

• steamed

• mashed with potatoes

• marinated

• chopped raw and added into salads.

Sunflower microgreens

Sunflower microgreens have a thick texture like spinach and a mild, nutty flavor.

• Add sunflower shoots to salads

• eat on their own

• throw in smoothies and recipes.

Sunflower stalks

Sunflower stalks are the lightest natural substance known to man, with a specific gravity one-eighth that of cork. Science aside, sunflower stalks make great snacks, too. With a satisfying crunch and a taste comparable to celery, the stalks of young sunflowers can be:

• added to salad

• eaten raw with hummus or peanut butter.

Sunflower shoots

Sunflower shoots can be used in the same way you might use alfalfa or soybean sprouts. Sunflower sprouts have a taste somewhat similar to sunflower seeds — a slight nuttiness but with more of a fresh, plant-like flavor — that adds an unexpected element to

• salads

• sandwiches.

Sunflower leaves

Sunflower leaves can be used as

• a greens for salad,

• boiled in the same way you might cook spinach,

• baked like kale chips

• an herbal supplement, with the leaves steeped to make tea.

Edible petals

• as well as the seeds, you can eat sunflower petals. The petals are also sold in a dried form for herbal tea blending

• known for their unique bittersweet taste, they can be used as a compliment to sweeter flavors in your dish

• the colored petals of the sunflower plants can be used to make natural dyes which range in color shades from yellow to orange or a light tan. As well as the colorful petals, the seeds can also be used for natural dyes and particularly the Hopi variety which can produce grey to dark purple dye shades.

Animal Husbandry

1. Birds food (it is regarded to be a premium variety said to help to attract a bigger selection of birds into your yard. These seeds have thinner and softer outer shells or hulls which the birds can open more easily to extract the kernals that contain all the goodness within).

2. An excellent poultry forage. The protein content of sunflower meals ranges from 28% to 42 % of DE hulled seeds, when these seeds are mixed with sunflower leaves, they create a wholesome meal that will increase eggs and meat production in poultry being a healthy diet for the chicken.

3. Feed for livestock (they are able to graze on sunflower fields where they can graze on the heads of the plant as well as most of the stalk. The heads contain most of the nutrition value since the seeds are high in energy and also have protein).

4. Dairy cows. Sunflower leaves mixed with fodder and sunflower seeds make a rich feed that is a rich source of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B. Good quality feed increases milk production.

5. Pig rearing. Pigs need fiber matter in their feeds to help their digestion process, crushed sunflower leaves aren’t just food but will also keep pigs healthy due to their therapeutic properties, which heal and help keep at bay many diseases.

6. Rabbit farming. Rabbit feed is 100% vegetable matter, young sunflower leaves have a high concentration of protein that in addition to the nutritional value in the plant, are rich in other minerals and will keep rabbits both healthy and strong, protecting them against diseases and infections.

7. Bee keeping. The showy large outer petals help attract many species of bees to your sunflowers including honey bees and bumble bees. The centre of the sunflower houses hundreds and thousands of tiny individual florets that contain nectar and pollen, a food source for bees.

Other Uses

1. Removing nuclear radiation The roots of this plant have been very effective at removing radiation from soil. They were used to clean up the Chernobyl disaster as well as Fukushima. They provide a real beacon of hope and healing. This amazing plant is now also the symbol of a nuclear weapon free world.

2. Help detox contaminated soil. Sunflowers are known as ‘phytoremediators’ (meaning ‘plant remedy’) and ‘hyper-accumulators’. They can absorb toxic heavy metal contaminants and poisonous chemicals in the soil. These include lead, arsenic, zinc, chromium, cadmium, copper and manganese.

3. Sunflower oil can be used as a massage oil.

4. Cosmetics manufacturer.

• It is good for your beauty preparations such as facial scrubs because it is a light and non-greasy oil and it is great for the skin.

• Skin cream. Pressed sunflower seeds can be used to make very effective, natural skin creams.

• Sunflower leaves are also mixed with the seeds to make a skin protective remedy that cures and heals skin rashes and helps in itches.

• Oil can be applied to the hair.

5. The colored petals of the sunflower plants can be used to color fabrics and yarns too while avoiding using unnatural dyes and chemicals.

6. Making clothes. The sunflower stem can also be used for making paper. The pith can be crushed and processed to release the lignin and processed to release fiber that is processed into fabric.

7. Sunflowers produce latex and are the subject of experiments to improve their suitability as an alternative crop for producing hypoallergenic rubber.

8. Rope making. You can use fibrous pith to make ropes. Sunflowers have been used in China for centuries to make coarse and delicate silk ropes.

9. Microscopic slide. The stem of the sunflower plant has one of the lightest substances known to man, it’s the pith. It has a gravity of 0.028 and is light enough to be used as a raw material for the manufacture of microscopic slides.

10. Making paper. The sunflower stem is also used for making paper. The pith can be crushed and processed to release the lignin and processed to release fiber that can be processed into paper.

11. Plant it in your garden:

• Sunflower attracts birds - nature’s free pest managers and help create a balance of pest insects to beneficial insects in your garden.

• As a “trap plant” for all sucking, rasping insects. The bugs are attracted to the sunflowers and less likely to damage your vegetable plants. As a companion plant sunflowers and corn are protective of each other with insect damage reduced on both. Cucumbers benefit when sunflowers are grown near them to provide a windbreak.

• The sunflower’s root system and leaves produce toxins that are harmful to other plants, they are natural herbicides that help suppress weed growth without the need for chemicals and herbicides.

• The sunflower plant has a deep root system that soaks up water. The leaves have a wide surface that helps release excessive water into the atmosphere during photosynthesis, which helps to regulate water in the wetlands.

• As garden plants, sunflowers can make for an amazing display. The combination of different colors of these flower is just stunning and makes this flower an ideal one from Spring time through to Fall because of the shades that you can match up with typical colors of these seasons.

12. Fuel. The dried stems of the sunflower plant make very good kindling when making a fire, it’s an excellent source of fuel.

13. Decorative elements.

• Sunflower make for a very bold and striking bouquet for your home.

• Woven tablemats. The sunflower stalk is extremely tall and can be harvested and woven into beautifully handcrafted table mats.

• Decorative mural.

Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds

1. Immunity booster

Immunity boosting effects of sunflower seeds are due to the presence of vitamin E, zinc and selenium in them.

Vitamin E enhances immune responses and protects against several infectious diseases. It is also a powerful antioxidant and prevents free radicals from damaging healthy cells in our body.

Zinc protects our body from inflammation, allergies and invading pathogens, thus preventing infections and increasing overall immunity.

Selenium reduces inflammation and enhances immunity. It also helps to reduce oxidative stress from free radicals.

2. Reduces cholesterol

The fiber content of sunflower seeds decreases levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.

Niacin or vitamin B3 present in sunflower seeds reduces total cholesterol levels and risk of heart diseases.

Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid in sunflower seeds increases HDL cholesterol and reduces total serum cholesterol levels.

3. Cardioprotective effects

Sunflower seeds are rich in oleic and linoleic acid and low in saturated fats and sodium. They also contain magnesium, potassium and fiber.

They help to lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels. Consuming them also reduces the occurrence of arrhythmias. All these effects help to protect our body from occurrence of cardiovascular disorders.

4. Reduces risk of cancer

Beta-sitosterol, a phytosterol present in sunflower seeds helps to prevent breast cancer. It inhibits the growth of tumor cells, decreases the size of the tumor and also prevents metastasis.

Presence of strong antioxidants in sunflower seeds also reduces the risk of cancer.

Consumption of these seeds also reduces the chances of colon cancer.

5. Management of diabetes

Sunflower seeds are useful in reducing blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

6. Boosts function of brain

Sunflower seeds contain vitamin B6. It improves mood and concentration and enhances memory. It releases serotonin and norepinephrine in our body.

7. Sunflower seeds also help to ease symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.

8. Helps in weight loss

Sunflower seeds are rich in proteins and fiber. They make us feel full for a long time, reduce our food intake and finally reduce the number of calories consumed. This helps in reduction of weight.

9. A powerhouse of energy

Sunflower seeds are a good source of thiamine (vitamin B1). Thiamine helps to breakdown carbohydrates, proteins and fats present in our food into energy. They also help in muscle building.

A handful of sunflower seeds can give you instant energy when consumed.

10. Helps in treatment of anemia

Sunflower seeds are a good source of iron. Consuming these seeds helps to up our iron levels; thus helping people suffering from anemia.

11. Helps to detox our body

Sunflower seeds have potent antibacterial activity. They help in effectively removing bacteria and germs from cells.

They also help to flush out toxins from our body.

12. Good for our skin

Consuming sunflower seeds keep our skin glowing. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of these seeds also prevents infections, thus keeping our skin clear.

Oleic and linoleic acids, present in sunflower seeds help in the formation of collagen and elastin, speeding up wound healing. They also prevent the formation of scars.

13. Helpful during pregnancy

Sunflower seeds are loaded with Vitamin E, which is a nutrient known to be extremely beneficial for prenatal health. This means, Vitamin E helps in the development of the baby inside the womb. Therefore, sunflower seeds are an effective source of nutrition for pregnant women and their babies.

14. Reduces inflammation

People suffering from chronic inflammation can find relief by consuming sunflower seeds either as part of trail mix or by adding them to your breakfast cereal or even sprinkling some on your soup or salad. The health benefits of sunflower seeds include anti-inflammatory properties such as flavonoids, Vitamin E and other compounds. Experts have found that consuming sunflower seeds as part of any of your meals 3-5 times a week significantly lowered vulnerability to chronic conditions such as arthritis or joint pain.

15. Wound dressing.

Sunflower leaves have a health benefit as wound and ulcer dressings. A poultice made from crushed sunflower leaves is applied to the wound and left to dry and heal the wound. The antibacterial properties in the leaves then go to work. After two to three days the wound is usually dry and on its way to complete healing.

16. Insect/snake’s/spiders bites.

Crushed leaves of the sunflower plant have wonderful therapeutic properties that work against insect bite poisons, bringing instant relief.

17. Arthritis.

A poultice is prepared from sunflower leaves and applied directly to the joints. This helps reduce swelling and curb pain. Drinking made tea from sunflower leaves can also prevent arthritis.

The world is facing a shortfall in sunflower oil. The shortage did not start with the war, but it has deepened even more as war blocks exports from Ukraine’s suppliers.

Sunflower continues to be essential.

Plant a sunflower in your garden to show your solidarity and support.