The history of the sunflower - "the flower of the sun. Sunflower, its action and use in various diseases
Sunflower is younger brother heavenly sun, but lives on earth. On a warm, clear day, the sunflower always raises its beautiful head up. His smiling dark face is surrounded by a dense wreath of bright yellow petals, smooth and delicate to the touch. But the trunk and leaves in a sunflower are covered with small, small spines, they can be very scratched. As the sunflower matures, its petals lose color and become hard and dry. But seeds ripen in it, which we eat with pleasure or make oil out of them.
Sunflower description in artistic style
Sunflower - tall plant with hard stem. Large dark green leaves are attached to it. The plant blooms in summer. There are inflorescences on one stem. In the center is a round middle of tubular flowers. They are dark brown. On both sides of the basket are large reed flowers. It is they who resemble the orange sun. Even the name of the flower is consonant with this similarity.
In summer, one often sees a golden carpet of blooming sunflowers in the endless fields. This is an amazingly beautiful picture.
Description of a sunflower for children
The king of the fields in summer is the sunflower. This is the messenger of the sun. You can find it everywhere: in the field, in the garden, in the yard.
Sunflower is perhaps the only flower that combines beauty and benefit. Smooth, tall, with a sadly tilted to the side bright yellow head. And if you look under the petals, you can see black cells. It is these small cells that bring so much benefit to a person.
Sunflowers have risen above the ground, with their gentle flame they warm, inspire, lift you up.
Description of sunflower in scientific style
Sunflower is an annual plant 2-4 m high, with a well-developed taproot and action roots that penetrate the soil to a depth of 2-3 m. The stems are covered with stiff hairs, rough, filled with a spongy core. Leaves with serrated edges, on long petioles, densely pubescent with stiff hairs. The stems end in inflorescences (baskets) with a diameter of 15 to 45 cm. Numerous flowers are placed in circles on the receptacle.
sunflower pollination
occurs with the help of insects.
The fruit is a seed with a woody fruit coat. The achene is filled with the kernel, which does not fuse with the shell. The shell of the fetus is covered on top with an epidermis painted in white, gray, black, black-violet, brown or other colors.
Sunflower plants are cold and drought resistant. The annual sunflower is native to North America.
Sunflower annual is grown almost all over the world. First of all - for the production of sunflower oil from seeds, which is then used for cooking and for technical needs.
Description of the artwork «Vase with twelve sunflowers» V. Gogh
The painting "Sunflowers" is calling card works of Vincent van Gogh - an outstanding Dutch painter of the post-impressionist era. The artist idolized this flower, considered it a symbol of appreciation and gratitude. The color yellow itself was associated with friendship and hope.
A somewhat rough-looking peasant vase, in which sunflowers stand, gives the impression of being disproportionately small and fragile in comparison with huge flowers. The sunflowers themselves are not only small in a vase - they lack the space of the entire canvas. The inflorescences and leaves of sunflowers rest against the edges of the picture, as if discontentedly “recoiling” from the frame. The artist applies paints in a very thick layer (impasto technique), squeezing them directly from the tube onto the canvas. On the canvas are clearly visible traces of the touch of the brush and special knife. The relief rough surface of the picture is, as it were, a cast of violent feelings that took possession of the artist at the moment of creation. Sunflowers, painted with energetic moving strokes, give the impression of being alive - heavy inflorescences filled with inner strength and elastic flexible stems are in constant motion, pulsate, swell, grow, ripen and wither before the viewer's eyes.
Still lifes with sunflowers shine in all shades yellow color- The colors of the sun. The artist's idea is clear: to achieve the effect of sunshine, yellow glow.
Van Gogh was gifted with the ability to feel color with extraordinary sharpness. He associated each color shade with a whole set of images and concepts, thoughts and feelings. Each stroke on the canvas had the power of a spoken word. Van Gogh's favorite yellow color was the embodiment of joy, kindness, benevolence, energy, fertility of the earth and life-giving warmth of the sun. And brighter than the sun itself, sunflowers shine on the canvas, as if absorbing the light of its hot rays and radiating it into the surrounding space.
Many see in the painting with sunflowers a reflection of the mental disorder that the artist is known to have suffered from. From the canvas, sunflowers look at the viewer, literally pulling him into their magical world, in which chaos and confusion reign. It is no coincidence that there is a desire to correct their position in the vase in order to bring some order. The image, simple in concept, due to the abundance of bright yellow color literally eats into the mind, striking with its overflowing emotionality...
"Sunflowers" by Vincent van Gogh are a symbol of our beautiful and at the same time tragic life, its quintessence. Flowers that bloom and wither; living beings that are born, mature and grow old; stars that light up, blaze and go out; - all this is an image of the Universe, which is in a state of relentless circulation.
Sunflower
Sunflower is a genus of plants in the Compositae family. About 50 species (herbaceous) grow in North America, 28 species (mostly shrubs) in Mexico and Peru. Most of them are perennials. Of the annuals in the culture, oilseed sunflower, of the perennials - Jerusalem artichoke, or earthen pear. The root system of oilseed sunflower is pivotal, it penetrates into the soil by 2-3 m, which allows it to use the moisture of deep horizons. Stem up to 5 m high (in oilseed varieties 0.6-2.5 m), erect, covered with hard sparse hairs. The leaves are large, oval-heart-shaped with pointed ends, on long petioles, pubescent. The inflorescence is a basket with a diameter of 15-20 cm, surrounded by involucre leaves, with barren reed flowers along the edges and bisexual tubular flowers inside it (they form seeds). The color of the corolla of flowers is from light yellow to dark orange, sometimes purple. Sunflower is a cross-pollinator (with the help of bees, other insects and wind). The fruit is an elongated, wedge-shaped achene, consisting of a pericarp (peel, or husk) and a white seed (kernel), covered with a seed coat. In the pericarp of modern sunflower varieties, between the sclerenchyma and cork tissue, there is an armor layer, so that the achenes are not damaged by the sunflower moth. According to morphological features, oilseed sunflower is divided into groups: gnaw, oilseed and mezheumok. The color of the achenes of the oil group is predominantly dark gray with a slight banding, black-coal, rarely gray with stripes; gnawed - gray with stripes, rarely white.
Sunflower seeds were first brought to Europe from Mexico in the 16th century and were called "grass of the sun" or "Peruvian sunflower". In America itself, this plant was known and used already 30 centuries ago.
Europeans began to decorate gardens and front gardens near houses with sunflowers. Only young baskets of inflorescences were eaten, crushed with vinegar and oil. Later, sunflower seeds were used to produce oil and eat the seeds themselves. The Slavs recognized the sunflower in the 18th century.
Today, Russia ranks first in terms of seed production by a wide margin, and Ukraine is in second place.
Attention!
Few contraindications have been identified so far. It is known that in no case should re-fried sunflower oil be used in cooking - substances harmful to the body are formed.
sunflower seeds prolong life
Sunflowers - the flowers of the sun - delight us not only with their beautiful view, but also delicious "entertainment" - seeds. However, they are far from just entertainment! By clicking them, along with the taste sensations, we get a lot of benefits for our health and body. And it's true, seeds are a very useful product for humans!
Chemical composition
Daily intake of seeds: 50-100 grams. Energy value (100 g) - 579 kcal. Composition: proteins - 30.6 g, fats - 68.5 g. Vitamins: A, E, Bl, B2, VZ. Minerals: phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, sulfur, copper, zinc.
Sunflower seeds are the main supplier of polyunsaturated fatty acids to the human body. They retain "live" components - phospholipids, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins that prevent aging. It is important that all the advantages listed below are related only to dried seeds, since up to 90% are destroyed during frying. useful substances. By the way, seeds in the shell are more useful than without it, since fats are oxidized in peeled seeds.
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamins that strengthen the skin and normalize the acid-base balance. Even an effective rich exfoliating body scrub is based on seeds.
Seeds are a means of preventing atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and other diseases of the cardiovascular system, and also help with diseases of the liver and biliary tract. They contain a lot of protein, which includes essential amino acids.
AT folk medicine sunflower seeds are used for diseases of the liver, biliary tract, chronic ulcers. They are also a means of preventing atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Ancient healers have long advised cracking seeds for depression. Later it turned out that in this way the deficiency of vitamins B, C and folic acid is replenished, the lack of which leads to depression.
In addition, B vitamins are "responsible" for the condition of the skin, mucous membranes, hair, and the normal functioning of the liver and endocrine glands. The small pantry of the sun contains sufficient reserves of magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron, which give the seeds good restorative properties.
There was also a place for antioxidants - fashionable fighters for our longevity. The most popular among them is selenium, an active assistant in strengthening the immune system and rejuvenating the body.
fans healthy lifestyle life and vegetarians are happy to eat seeds in muesli and bread.
Useful properties of sunflower seeds
- They are vitamin accumulators: charged not only solar energy, but also vitamins A, E, group B, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron.
- Prevent the development of atherosclerosis.
- They serve to prevent cancer.
- Improve the activity of the cardiovascular system.
- Protect the body from negative impact sun rays.
- A nutritious product that can easily and quickly satisfy hunger.
- This is an anti-stress product: the clicking of seeds distracts from sad thoughts, and vitamin E has a positive effect on the nervous system. So in a certain sense, seeds may well replace valerian.
- Improve the condition of the skin, hair, nails.
- Prevent aging of the body.
sunflower flowers
In the reed petals of flowers there is a very large set of active substances: carotene, resinous substances, flavonoids, saponins, organic acids, choline, betaine, tannins, citric and tartaric acids.
Tincture
The fresh petals are used to make a tincture, which is very valuable in malaria and helps even when high doses of quinine are ineffective. The tincture is prepared with the addition of thinly sliced flowers. upper parts stem. The manufacturing method is also different: they usually insist on 70% alcohol, but 35% alcohol can also be used. The duration of extraction varies between 10 and 20 days.
Sunflower tincture is also effective for pulmonary diseases. Alcohol tincture yellow marginal flowers of flower baskets and sunflower leaves excites the appetite, enhances the activity of the stomach.
Tea at temperature
To bring down the temperature, tea from dried reed flowers is also recommended: 1 tablespoon of dried flowers is poured into 1/4 liter of boiling water and insisted for 10 minutes. After straining, the tea is ready to drink. Sweeten with honey and give at high temperature in a cup 2-3 times a day. Reed flower tea along with lime blossom used as an anti-influenza agent. Such a combination is very beneficial: linden leaves increase the body's resistance, and sunflower flowers reduce the temperature.
Decoction
A decoction of fresh sunflower flowers is drunk for jaundice, heart disease, bronchial spasms and gastrointestinal colic.
Ankylosis (immobility of the joint due to pathological fusion of the articular surfaces
Take 6 flower baskets of milky ripeness, crumble them and pour 1 liter of vodka. Insist in the sun for 40 days. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals. The mobility of the joint will begin to recover in two to three months, but it will take the same amount of time to fully restore its function.
Vegetovascular dystonia
Stem during flowering, while still soft, finely chop, dry. Brew a pinch in a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes. Strain. Drink in 1-2 doses - cleanses blood vessels, relieves headaches and nervous disorders.
Kidney stone disease
Crush 3-4 sunflower roots. 1 cup pour 3 liters of water and cook after boiling for 3 minutes. Strain, but do not discard the roots. Drink the whole broth for three days (one liter per day). Boil the same roots in 3 liters of water, but for 15 minutes. Strain and discard the roots. Drink a decoction for three days. Stones are excreted in the urine as flakes.
If necessary, repeat the course of treatment. The roots are boiled 2 times. When salts are deposited, the same technique is used. Salts begin to come out only after 2-3 weeks. At first, the urine will be rusty in color, but do not stop the treatment until it becomes clear, like water. During cleansing, you can not eat spicy, sour and salty foods.
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil- vegetable fatty oil obtained from sunflower seeds.
Sunflower oil is mainly used directly in food. Margarine and cooking oils are produced from it. Sunflower oil is used in the manufacture of canned food, as well as in soap making and the paint and varnish industry. Sunflower oil is a part of various ointments (eg, volatile).
Sunflower oil is used for oil-alkaline inhalations for diseases of the nasopharynx, bronchitis, pneumonia, it is part of plasters, oil-mustard wraps. It is used as a laxative for constipation, for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Trophic ulcer
Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh unrefined sunflower oil, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of propolis tincture. The resulting mixture is applied to the ulcer, the next day to change. The ointment is effective, the ulcer heals.
Pinched nerve after a fall
Prepare a mixture of sunflower oil with melted wax and honeycomb, spread a long strip of cotton fabric, apply a plaster along the entire spine - from the neck to the coccyx. Usually once is enough if the patch is kept all day, but if necessary, repeat the procedure three times.
Recipes
Halva
Ingredients
- 2 cups unshelled sunflower seeds
- 1.5 cups of flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 0.5 cup sunflower oil
- 0.5 cups of water.
Cooking method
Roast the seeds and scroll through the papy time through the meat. Fry the flour in a dry frying pan, stirring constantly, until it turns brown. Mix the flour with the seed cake and scroll through the meat again. Add oil and stir. Boil syrup from sugar and water so that the sugar is completely dissolved. Pour the syrup into the rest, mix well and refrigerate to harden.
You can pour the oil into the finished syrup, boil a little, and then mix it with the rest of the mass.
Grind 3 cups of roasted seeds in a meat grinder. Fry 2 cups of flour until golden brown. Mix it all up and twist it again. Pour 200 g of water, 100 g of vegetable oil, 100 g of sugar, vanillin into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour the seeds with flour into this mixture and mix, then pour on an oilcloth and shape. Put in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
beer bread recipe
Ingredients
- 5 cups wheat flour
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 can of beer
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
- sesame seeds for decoration.
Cooking method
Mix all. If the mixture is too dry, add some more beer. Brewer's yeast will let the dough rise. Place in an oven preheated to ~180 degrees for about 1 hour.
The source of information
- Magazine "Your Doctor: Healing Harvest", Special Issue October 2008;
- Magazine "Garden, Garden", December 2000, "Beauty Secrets: Nuts and Dried Fruits".
Sunflower, in English - sunflower, sunny flower. In Latin - helianthus - the same meaning. Germans, French, Portuguese, Ukrainians, other nations also see a miniature sun in a bright large inflorescence. I hope you have already guessed, we will talk about the sunflower, about its benefits, useful properties.
Kuban sunflowersFrom a botanical point of view, a sunflower is not a flower. Its “head” is an inflorescence, scientifically called a basket. Each seed comes from one flower. And even more surprising is that each “ray of the sun” is a reed flower with a large petal. It doesn't bear fruit.
In almost all languages, the name - sunflower - is associated with the sun.
There are two reasons: appearance and the manner of turning after the heavenly body. 
And sunflower seeds are a real pantry of solar vitamins!
Sunflower - unpretentious plant. Once in the ground, the seeds germinate quickly, sprout together and grow. Only the first time you need to take care of the sunflower. The main care is thinning and weeding. And then the roots penetrate deep into the ground, from where they receive the necessary nutrition, water.
Be sure to grow sunflowers in the country, garden, if you have children! Then you don’t have to buy seeds - they will have their own - healthy, useful. Show your child how a bright "flower" turns after the sun. To the question - why? - you can answer: "And so that the seeds ripen faster." At night, the sunflower lowers its head down - "goes to bed."
Sunflower cultivation in open ground
AT open ground sunflower seeds are usually sown in the Kuban in the second half of March.
Seeds are buried in holes to a depth of 3-6 cm. If you want to get good harvest, then, when the seeds begin to sprout, get rid of frail and weak plants. That is, seedlings should be thinned out, leaving only the strongest.
For sunflowers to grow well, loosen the ground to a depth of 20-25 cm, destroying weeds, until the plants get stronger.
Yields can be increased with fertilizers. But be careful not to overdo it! Slight deficit nutrients sunflower will transfer easily, but an excess can lead to the accumulation of nitrates in the seeds. You, as a consumer, don't need this at all. When fertilizing a sunflower, it is better to use mature humus or compost.
Sunflower care is elementary. He only needs weeding between rows 2-3 times during the summer.
And further. As soon as the seeds begin to ripen, birds will begin to claim them. 
If you have few plants, you can cover each inflorescence with gauze or some kind of cloth. Of course, you can wrap all the sunflower baskets for yourself. But it is better to leave a couple of small heads for feathered guests. They will get used to visiting your garden, where they will eat not only sunflower seeds, but also garden pests.
Keep in mind that sunflower ripens, depending on the climate, for 2-3 months. late landings they will not have time to ripen, but they will please with sunny inflorescences.
Sunflowers can also be grown indoors. AT flower boxes or potted seeds are sown in early spring. In a pot with a diameter of 15 cm, filled with a universal compost mixture, 2-3 seeds are placed.
When the sunflowers germinate, thin them out, leaving one, the strongest sprout in each pot.
Feed the plants with nitrogen if necessary. Place young flowers in a sunny spot.
In late spring or early summer, they are best transplanted into larger pots. And if you want to get the earliest sunflowers on your street, grow seedlings in the apartment, and when it gets warmer, plant them in the ground!
Sunflower root useful properties and contraindications
And sunflower roots are nothing at all! They remove stones from the kidneys and gallbladder very well, dissolve salt deposits in the joints, reduce pressure (and it often happens with unhealthy kidneys), improve hearing and vision, relieve dizziness, heart and headaches. All of these symptoms are usually present with high blood pressure.
Roots are harvested late autumn when the hats are removed. The case, I tell you, is very, very troublesome. 
Dig up the roots, clean from the side small roots, since they are unsuitable for treatment, chop the central thick root, which in its raw form is not inferior in strength to oak, into 4-6 parts, dry (and this is a problem, since already damp autumn is coming ), break into pieces 1-1.5 cm with tongs or wire cutters, and only then can be used for its intended purpose.
1 cup of crushed roots is boiled in 3 liters of water for 3 minutes from the moment of boiling. The broth is drunk for 3 days, that is, 1 liter per day, anyway, before or after a meal, you can drink instead of water, as the drink tastes good. Then the same roots are boiled again in 3 liters of water, but for 5 minutes already, the decoction is drunk according to the same scheme, and, finally, the same glass of roots is boiled in the same amount of water for 10 minutes, drunk in the same way. Roots are thrown out. Thus, from one glass of roots, 9 liters of a healing decoction are obtained for 9 days of admission. The next portion of the decoction is prepared from new roots.
A decoction of the roots is drunk in this way for 2 months (7 glasses of roots). After a couple of weeks, the urine will become the color of rust, but do not be afraid of this, this is a normal phenomenon when stones are dissolved and salts are deposited. By the end of the course, urine will become clean and clear, like water.
Do not eat during treatment spicy dishes and heavily salted, food should mainly be plant-based (but this is optional).
And such contraindications - a decoction of sunflower roots should not be taken by patients if they are diagnosed with insolubility of kidney stones. The decoction is also contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women.
The benefits of sunflower seeds
Sometimes sunflower seeds are called food waste, because ill-mannered people scatter the husks on the street and in the entrance.
But inside the seeds are not garbage, but a useful delicacy for humans. The content of valuable elements in it is very high. For example, there is more vitamin D (just called solar) than in cod liver, which is known as a great defender against rickets. This nutraceutical plays an important role in the healing of the skin, mucous membranes, and helps the growth of the child's body.
There are also many vitamins of groups A and E in the seeds. They have antioxidant properties, protect us from atherosclerosis and tumors, positively affect vision, and contribute to natural beauty hair and nails.
Fatty acids are important for metabolism in the human body, they burn fat cells, preventing their deposition in unnecessary places.
And they also have phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, manganese, silicon, sodium, and we need all of them for health and beauty.
… but know when to stop!
Sunflower seeds are so tasty that it is impossible to break away from them. At the same time, they are very high in calories, which can lead to a set of extra pounds, and this is already undesirable. The risk is especially high in people who do not play sports. A girl who often gnaws seeds at the TV runs the risk of losing her slim waist.
In addition, there is a danger of damaging tooth enamel by clicking seeds. Dentists advise cleaning them with your hands, rather than brushing them with your teeth. However, this approach seems very inconvenient to me. So nibble more carefully.
Raw, sun-dried seeds are much healthier than roasted ones. After severe heat treatment, they lose some of the vitamins, and upon contact with the fat on which they are most often fried, they noticeably add in calories.
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous food producers are growing sunflowers in over-fertilized soil. Yields are higher, but the usefulness of the product is reduced to zero. So the most useful sunflowers- those that grew on the clean land of your dacha.
Doctors believe that eating sunflower seeds is the prevention of a number of health problems. Including such serious ones as a heart attack, skin diseases, bone fractures.
decorative sunflowers
Flower growers and florists enjoy great success decorative varieties sunflower. They are not poisonous, but their seeds are small, and there is little pleasure in shelling them. But how much joy their cheerful faces in the flowerbed will bring! And they, too, will turn after the sun. 
Decorative sunflowers are very diverse. You can choose varieties of any height - from 3-meter giants to 30-centimeter dwarfs, with different type branching or single stem. You can even create a composition of babies in pots, which is easy to replace with a new one according to your mood.
The color palette of decorative sunflowers is rich. Modern varieties, in addition to the well-known, yellow and orange, carry inflorescences and other shades. For example, white, color baked milk, ivory, lemon, apricot, orange and so on.
The diameter of the inflorescences of decorative sunflowers is from 5-6 to 17-20 cm. There is also a series of terry varieties! Some are like chrysanthemums, others are like gerberas, others are like dahlias, and the rest are like only themselves. 
The shape of the petals impresses with its variety: rounded, long, with all kinds of bends, etc.
If you are confused by the abundance of pollen in ornamental sunflowers, and you are afraid to get dirty in it, look for a sterile hybrid on sale. You will not get seeds from him, but his inflorescences look neater. 
With repeated sowing, it is easy to achieve continuous flowering decorative sunflowers from the beginning of summer to the first frosts.
Food varieties of sunflower can also be used in decorative purposes. Just remember that, as a rule, these are large plants. 
Thanks
Everybody knows sunflower how beautiful plant, resembling the sun and giving a tasty and healthy product - seeds, which almost completely satisfy the needs of an adult, both in polyunsaturated acids and in vitamin E. Thus, sunflower preparations are capable of short term relax smooth muscles internal organs, lower body temperature, stimulate appetite. At the same time, not only the kernels (or seeds) of sunflower are useful, but also the rest of its parts, namely, inflorescences, leaves, roots, stems. On the use of sunflower in medicine and its the most useful properties we'll talk more later.
plant description
Sunflower name ( Helianthus) is translated from Latin as "flower of the sun" (or solar flower). And such a name was given to him by no means by chance, because the large inflorescences of a sunflower, which are bordered by bright yellow petals, really resemble the sun. In addition, the sunflower has a unique ability, which consists in the fact that the plant turns its head after the sun, thereby passing with it from sunrise to sunset.It should be noted that most of sunflower species are annual plants, although there are also perennials, which are mainly herbaceous plants.
Sunflower is distinguished by a thick and strong root, rough and pointed leaves at the top, which can be from 15 to 35. The top of the stem has a large inflorescence-basket, surrounded by green leaves from below, but golden flowers are located outside the basket.
The sunflower fruit is an achene with a kernel. Depending on the type of plant, the peel of the achene is white or black.
Where does sunflower grow?
The homeland of sunflower is Peru and Mexico (it was from here that this plant was brought to Russia). Sunflower prefers warm climates and fertile soil, therefore it is grown in the southern part of Russia. With intense sunlight, as well as providing moisture and nutrients directly to the soil, this plant develops a powerful root system, has large leaves and gives a fairly good crop of seeds.Sunflower varieties
The sunflower genus includes about 108 species, while two are rightfully considered the most famous:1. Oilseed (annual).
2. Jerusalem artichoke (perennial).
Sunflower annual (oilseed or common)
The annual sunflower, which is also called oilseed or ordinary, has a stem reaching a height of two to three meters, heart-shaped triangular leaves placed alternately on the stem. A powerful stem is crowned with a large basket inflorescence, the diameter of which varies between 10 - 35 cm. Bottom part inflorescences are surrounded by green tiled leaves, while the flowers in the central part of the basket are smaller and bright yellow. I must say that by the time the flowering begins, the baskets wilt. The thick stem of the plant is covered with stiff hairs. The fruits of the annual sunflower are oblong and slightly flattened achenes of white, gray or black color (the achenes can also be striped). This type of sunflower blooms from July to October. As an oilseed crop, it is grown in fields, vegetable gardens and orchards.
Sunflower perennial (Jerusalem artichoke)
This is a tuberous plant, which in Russia is better known under the name "ground pear", but in Europe the perennial sunflower is called the "Jerusalem artichoke". The homeland of the earthen pear is Brazil, it was from here that this plant was brought to Europe together with the American Indians from the Tupinambus tribe (hence another name for the plant - "Jerusalem artichoke").
This light-loving and drought-resistant plant is used as a decorative element, food product and medicinal plant. So, Jerusalem artichoke tubers contain inulin, macro- and microelements, pectins, vitamins C and B, iron salts. But harmful substances and nitrates Jerusalem artichoke does not accumulate.
Inulin is a polysaccharide, due to the hydrolysis of which sugar, harmless to diabetics, is obtained - fructose.
Jerusalem artichoke contains a large number of iron, manganese, calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium and sodium. In addition, this type of sunflower actively accumulates silicon directly from the soil. It is impossible not to say that Jerusalem artichoke contains proteins, pectin, amino acids, useful organic and fatty acids.
Important! Jerusalem artichoke has 8 amino acids that are synthesized exclusively by plants (that is, they are not synthesized in the human body). We are talking about histidine, arginine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan.
Thus, biologically active substances are the basis of the healing properties of Jerusalem artichoke.
Jerusalem artichoke is similar to an ordinary sunflower, but it has underground shoots (the so-called stolons), on which tubers are formed like potato ones. Perennial sunflower grows in one place for 30 (or even 40) years, although it gives a high yield only in the first three to four years.
It is Jerusalem artichoke tubers that have medicinal properties, which normalize metabolism, which has a positive effect in the treatment of:
- cardiovascular diseases;
Collection and storage of sunflower
Medicinal raw materials in sunflower are:
- marginal flowers;
- leaves;
- seeds;
- stem;
- roots.
In medicine, bright yellow sunflower reed flowers are used, which are cut off in such a way as not to damage the baskets themselves. collected flowers dry immediately in a well-ventilated area to preserve their natural color. The smell of dried raw materials during the soaking process should be weak and honey, but the taste should be a little bitter.
Sunflower leaves come off the petioles, and very large leaves should not be collected, especially if they are damaged by rust or eaten by insects. The leaves are dried in the air, but always in the shade (you can use special dryers). Properly dried leaves should be rough and have prominent and strongly pubescent veins. The dried raw material has a dark green color and a bitter taste, while the dried leaves have no smell.
Sunflower roots are harvested (pulled out) in the fall (or rather, at the end of September), that is, after ripening, as well as collecting seeds. It is at this time that the roots of the plant have healing properties.
Sunflower seeds ripen by September.
Flowers and leaves are stored in cloth bags for no more than two years.
Composition and properties of sunflower
Carotene
It's an immunostimulant plant origin, which greatly increases the body's defenses by neutralizing the negative effects of free radicals.Betaine
Action:- activation of lipid metabolism;
- normalization of the level of triglycerides in the blood;
- promoting energy production;
- normalization of acidity of gastric contents;
- improvement of the digestive system;
- preventing the deposition of fat.
Choline
Action:- promoting the absorption of fats;
- lowering cholesterol;
- stimulation of cardiac activity;
- strengthening the central nervous system;
- prevention of premature aging.
resins
Properties:- bactericidal;
- bacteriostatic;
- astringent;
- antiseptic.
Fixed oils
Action:- regeneration of tissues and cells of the body;
- elimination of inflammation;
- acceleration of the wound healing process;
- protection of the body from the negative effects of carcinogens.
Flavonoids
Action:- strengthening and improving the elasticity of both capillaries and vascular walls;
- neutralization of free radicals;
- regulation of the central nervous system;
- lowering blood pressure.
organic acids
Action:- increased appetite;
- activation metabolic processes, which promotes the breakdown of fats;
- increased immunity;
- elimination of toxins;
- normalization of digestion.
Tannins
By modifying the protein of cells, they form protective film, accelerating the process of wound healing and neutralizing the harmful effects of bacteria. Tannins are used as anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, bacteriostatic and astringent.Calcium
Action of calcium: - forms teeth and skeleton;
- normalizes metabolism;
- strengthens the heart vessels;
- improves immunity;
- regulates the work of the central nervous system.
Zinc
Action:- renews skin cells;
- reduces allergic manifestations;
- accelerates wound healing;
- relieves inflammation;
- boosts immunity.
Glycosides
Properties:- diuretic;
- sedative;
- vasodilating;
- expectorant;
- antimicrobial;
- disinfectant.
Anthocyanins
Action:- reduced fragility of capillaries, as well as blood vessels;
- slowing down the aging process;
- stop bleeding;
- strengthening the heart muscle;
- normalization of metabolism;
- removal of inflammation;
- normalization of the CNS.
bitterness
Action:- stimulation of appetite;
- normalization of digestion;
- restoration of the body in case of exhaustion, weakness, loss of strength, neurasthenia;
- strengthening immunity.
Protein
This excellent source of energy provides the body with hormones, antibodies, as well as other enzymes that are necessary for the full functioning of the body.Carbohydrates
This is the main source of energy for humans, providing a complete metabolic process.fitin
Action:- stimulation of the liver;
- prevention of the development of fatty degeneration of the liver;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- strengthening of blood vessels;
- normalization of the state of the nervous system;
- activation of fat metabolism.
Lecithin
Action:- acceleration of oxidative processes;
- ensuring normal metabolism of fats;
- improvement of brain function;
- normalization of the cardiovascular system;
- increasing the body's resistance to the effects of toxic substances;
- stimulation of bile secretion;
- participation in the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Vitamin A
Action:- participation in oxidative as well as reduction processes;
- regulation of the process of protein synthesis;
- normalization of metabolism;
- participation in the formation of bones, teeth;
- slowing down the aging process.
Vitamin E
Action: - inhibition of membrane destruction and calcium leakage from cells;
- optimization of metabolic processes inside the cell;
- elimination of toxins;
- normalization of reproductive function;
- regulation of RNA and protein biosynthesis.
Pectin
Action:- removal of radionuclides, salts of heavy metals;
- suppression of putrefactive intestinal flora.
Saponins
Action:- liquefaction of sputum;
- removal of mucus from the bronchopulmonary system;
- prevention of DNA synthesis in tumor cells.
sunflower properties
- choleretic;
- antipyretic;
- laxative;
- antispasmodic;
- antitussive;
- emollient;
- immunomodulatory;
- enveloping;
- astringent;
- antirheumatic;
- anti-sclerotic;
- expectorant.
sunflower treatment
Sunflower is widely used for health purposes due to the presence in the plant of many biologically active substances that are vital for normal operation the whole organism.In medicine, the following parts of the plant are used:
- seeds;
- root;
- flowers;
- inflorescences;
- petals;
- stem.
Seeds (seeds)
Raw seeds have the following properties:
- contribute to the normalization of pressure;
- facilitate the removal of sputum;
- prevent sclerotic changes directly in the blood vessels;
- normalize the functioning of the nervous system;
- reduce the manifestations of allergies.
Sunflower oil is obtained from sunflower seeds, which is a component of ointments, plasters, effective oil solutions.
Root
This part of the plant helps to dissolve and remove salts from the body, so preparations from sunflower roots are used in the treatment of:- arthrosis;
- stones and sand both in the kidneys and in the gallbladder.
flowers
The flowers of the annual sunflower are part of the products intended for the treatment of such diseases: - heart disease;
- cold;
- neurasthenia;
- bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- malaria;
- gout;
Inflorescence
Sunflower inflorescence is indicated in the treatment of diseases of the liver, stomach, as well as 12 duodenal ulcers, intestines and pancreas, articular rheumatism.sunflower leaves
Preparations from sunflower leaves are used for:- fever
- neuralgia;
- psoriasis;
- gastrointestinal colic;
- diseases of the spinal cord and brain;
- bronchial asthma;
- cold.
petals
An infusion of yellow sunflower petals is used internally for oncological diseases as a diuretic. Externally, sunflower petals are used to treat pemphigus vulgaris and chronic ulcers in diabetes mellitus.Stem
This part of the plant is used to treat diseases of the genitourinary system, kidneys, and thyroid gland. In the process of using the sunflower stem, which has a pronounced diuretic effect, joint pain may be observed, indicating the cleansing of the articular bags from harmful layers.sunflower application
Sunflower preparations are used in the form of decoctions, infusions, tinctures. Decoction
A decoction of sunflower flowers is being prepared in the following way: 2 tbsp raw materials are crushed and poured with a glass of boiling water, then the mixture is put on low heat for 10 minutes, after which the agent is infused for an hour, filtered and brought boiled water to the original volume. A decoction of three tablespoons is taken no more than four times a day, 20 minutes before eating.Infusion
Sunflower infusion helps cure colds and relieve fever. To prepare the infusion 2 tbsp. sunflower petals should be poured with a glass of boiling water, insist 10 minutes and drink at night.Tincture
Sunflower tincture, prepared from leaves and flowers, is prescribed to improve appetite and enhance the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the tincture is used for malaria, lung diseases and neuralgia.To prepare the tincture, 3 tbsp. flowers are poured with a glass of vodka and left to infuse for a week in a dark place. After the specified time, the tincture is filtered and drunk 40 drops twice a day.
Contraindications to the use of sunflower
When taking sunflower preparations in therapeutic doses, there are no side effects. But still, experts do not recommend taking sunflower seeds for people who suffer from gastritis or peptic ulcer. Also undesirable in large quantities use sunflower seeds for overweight people, since plant seeds belong to the class of high-calorie foods.Contraindication to the use of sunflower - individual intolerance to the plant.
Important! Before taking sunflower preparations, it is necessary to determine the presence of an allergy to this plant in order to avoid possible complications.
Allergy to sunflower
Allergy to sunflower is most often provoked by the sensitivity of the human body to plant pollen, which, penetrating into the bronchi, causes a negative reaction of the immune system. In the worst case, pollinosis (or an allergic reaction to pollen) can cause the development of bronchial asthma, a disease that is accompanied by shortness of breath and cough. Therefore, it is important to determine the presence or absence of an allergy to this plant even before starting the use of sunflower preparations. And the allergist will help in this, who will collect an anamnesis and prescribe tests to clarify the allergen or exclude allergies.In general, pollinosis is often accompanied by allergic rhinitis, which can be recognized by the following signs:
- severe itching in the nose;
- paroxysmal sneezing;
- nasal congestion;
- decreased sense of smell;
- itching in the eyes;
- redness of the eyelids;
- lacrimation.
Sunflower honey is distinguished by a rather high content of carotene, vitamin A, as well as fragrant substances that have bactericidal properties, therefore it is used to accelerate wound healing.
This kind of honey is recommended to be used simultaneously with apple cider vinegar, for which you should mix a glass of water at room temperature, a tablespoon of sunflower honey and a tablespoon apple cider vinegar. This mixture is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, for at least a month.
Important! Sunflower honey contains a high percentage of pollen, so it is not recommended for people who are prone to allergies.
Useful properties of sunflower honey
Unfortunately, in our country, sunflower honey is not always in demand, which cannot be said about European countries, where this honey is mandatory in the school and kindergarten diet. Our compatriots do not prefer sunflower honey for the reason that it quickly crystallizes (in liquid form, this honey is contained for no more than 20 days, and sometimes it crystallizes in the hive itself). At the same time, after crystallization, honey acquires bitterness.But rapid crystallization does not detract medicinal properties this honey, which contains the amount of glucose, which is one and a half times higher than in other varieties of honey.
Glucose does not need additional processing directly in the stomach, since it is instantly absorbed into the bloodstream, spreading throughout the body.
Properties of glucose:
- strengthening the walls of the heart muscle;
- increasing the strength of blood vessels;
- contributing to the normalization of the work of the heart.
- normalization of arterial and venous circulation;
- removal of toxins from the body;
- improvement of liver function;
- prevention of edema;
- strengthening the myocardial muscle;
- promoting the process of hematopoiesis, which accelerates the renewal of the body.
sunflower lecithin
Lecithin is an integral part of the growth and development of the body. Lecithin is a component of all cell membranes. human body, acting as the main component of the protective sheath not only of the brain, but of all nerve fibers without exception. Simply put, without lecithin, the normal functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys and other organs is impossible. Lecithin is responsible for the "repair" and regular renewal of the cells of the body, since it is part of the so-called "good" cholesterol, which removes the "bad" from the atherosclerotic plaque located in the vessel, thereby contributing to the restoration of its lumen.
In general, lecithin performs three main functions:
1.
Conservation of energy transported throughout the body.
2.
Ensuring the construction of cell membranes.
3.
Ensuring the adaptive properties of the body.
It is in such a plant as ordinary sunflower that a large amount of lecithin is contained, which acts on the body as follows:
- prevents the development of diseases provoked by impaired functioning of the nervous system;
- beneficial effect on mental development;
- produces acetylcholine, which ensures the normal metabolism of both fats and cholesterol;
- strengthens memory;
- normalizes reproductive function (without lecithin, women cannot conceive, bear and give birth to a healthy child);
- increases the body's resistance to the influence of toxic substances;
- stimulates bile secretion;
- prevents the development of multiple sclerosis;
- improves attention;
- increases physical endurance;
- promotes the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K;
- protects the liver from the negative effects of preservatives, insecticides, toxins, as well as drugs and alcohol.
Recipes with annual sunflower
Tincture for gout
The flower of a young sunflower and its green small lower leaves are well crushed, after which they fill the third part of the bottle, into which vodka is poured to the top. The remedy is infused for a month in a warm place, shaking regularly. Strained tincture is taken daily in half a glass, diluted with boiled water. The same tincture can be used as a warm compress.Compresses for the treatment of joints
One glass of crushed sunflower roots is poured with a liter hot water, after which the mixture is boiled over low heat for one hour (the product should boil down almost by half). The finished broth has a dark saturated color. In the resulting broth, gauze (or fabric) folded in several layers is wetted, which is applied to the diseased joint. Cellophane is placed on top of the compress, then cotton wool, and then the compress is fixed with a warm scarf. This procedure is carried out at night, which will provide peace to the sore joint.Infusion for stomach cancer
3 tbsp fresh crushed flowers of the plant are poured with one liter of fresh milk, after which the mixture is languishing in a steam bath until the agent has evaporated to half the original volume. The infusion is cooled, filtered and consumed three times a day in a tablespoon, 30 minutes before meals. The treatment course is two liters of infusion. Then there is a break for three weeks.Decoction for whooping cough
Ripe sunflower seeds are dried in the oven and kneaded in a mortar. 3 tbsp crushed seeds are poured with half a liter of sweetened water and languish on fire until the volume of water decreases by one-fourth. Strained broth is taken for 10 - 12 days.Decoction for prostate adenoma
Dried sunflower roots (a little less than one glass) are boiled in three liters of water (only enameled dishes are used to prepare the broth). The broth is infused for three hours and taken one liter per day.In addition, with prostate adenoma, enemas from the sediment of sunflower oil are shown, which must be unrefined. Enemas are made for 10 days, for which 100-150 g of oil with sediment should be poured into a heated enema and injected into the anus.
Tincture for pneumonia
A half-liter bottle is filled with sunflower flowers, poured with vodka and infused for two weeks. Strained tincture is drunk in a teaspoon three times a day. Before use, you should consult with a specialist.Sunflower – annual plant, a member of the Astrov family. The plant is a straight stem with green leaves and flowers collected in a basket (see photo). Scientists consider North America to be the birthplace of the plant. It was first domesticated by a tribe of North American Indians. They cultivated it herbaceous plant more than 2000 years ago (this fact was confirmed by historians). According to archaeological evidence, the sunflower was domesticated even before wheat. The Indian tribes used the seeds in a ground form: they were considered a gourmet dish. The Spaniards brought the plant to Europe in the 16th century, they began to grow it in gardens as ornamental plant. Much later, the sunflower began to be regarded as medicinal plant. In Russia, the sunflower appeared thanks to the efforts of Peter I, who wished to receive the seeds of this plant from Holland.
The Latin name for the sunflower is Helianthus, which means "solar flower". As for the field of botany, everything is simple here: the leaves and flowers of this plant are considered heliotropic, that is, they arch towards the sun. The fact is that the plant contains the phytohormone auxin, it regulates growth. That part of the plant that is not lit by the sun accumulates this phytohormone, which forces the plant to reach for the sun. decorative look sunflower called helianthus is grown as potted plant, it can often be found in flower beds.
Our ancestors saw in the sunflower not only a plant, but also a good sign for all mankind. The plant symbolizes prosperity, unity, sunlight. In some countries, the sunflower is a symbol of peace. All the legends about this plant are somehow connected with the heavenly body. Once the nymph Cletia fell in love with Apollo, the sun god. She watched her lover all the time, unable to take her eyes off the sun, but Apollo did not pay any attention to her. The Olympian gods took pity on Clytia and turned her into a sunflower. Now, even as a plant, the nymph looks at her lover, without fail turning towards the sun.
Sunflower is an excellent honey plant, bees collect an average of 25 kg of honey per hectare, in some areas they collect up to 50 kg per hectare. This honey has a golden color. Sunflower honey has healing properties, which allows you to use it for the prevention of diseases. The product has a delicate aroma and pleasant taste. This type of honey is a real champion in glucose content, it also contains vitamins PP and E. American scientists came to the conclusion that this honey contains amino acids necessary for protein synthesis. Glucose is completely absorbed by the body, quickly passes into the blood, it is necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, it helps the heart work. Honey strengthens the vascular walls, effectively removes toxins, helps the liver, relieves swelling, and has diuretic properties. Sunflower honey is recommended for use in heart disease, atherosclerosis, neuralgia. In countries like Japan, South Korea, China sunflower honey must be given to children in educational institutions. Scientists from Australia and Japan have proven that bee honey, especially sunflower, in combination with cinnamon, effectively fights cancer at an early stage, as well as arthritis. As a treatment, it is necessary to take a mixture of 3 tsp daily. cinnamon and 3 tbsp. l. honey.
sunflower varieties
There are many varieties of the main oilseed crop in our region. Thanks to the efforts of scientists, early ripening varieties were bred, which should ensure the expansion of sunflower cultivation areas.
- Lakomka - a variety of confectionery direction, is a tall plant. The growing season is 130 days. This variety is resistant to drought, lodging, shedding.
- Master - resistant to shedding, lodging, drought, slightly affected by diseases. The variety is recommended for growing in the forest-steppe zone.
- The president is a tall plant with a medium-sized basket. The growing season is 128 days. The variety is resistant to lodging, drought, shedding, recommended for cultivation in the steppe zone.
- Vranac is a hybrid of the confectionery direction, it is a tall plant with a medium-sized basket. The growing season is 137 days. The hybrid is resistant to lodging, shedding, disease. Experts recommend growing this hybrid in the forest-steppe zone.
Growing: planting and care
Sunflower is an unpretentious drought-resistant plant that tolerates spring frosts well. The plant prefers fertile soil, it is not recommended to plant a sunflower on acidic or saline soil. The plant should not be planted in a place where legumes, beets, tomatoes grew. Sunflower grows well after corn, cereals. It is not recommended to plant it in the same place, it is better to take a break of 3-4 years. This is due to the fact that the plant consumes a lot of nutrients, depleting the soil.
Seeds should be treated before planting sunflowers.. For this purpose, special substances are used. Prepared seeds are sown, leaving 2-3 seeds in each nest. It is very important to observe the distance between planted sunflowers, depending on the variety. Plant care consists of regular watering and periodic feeding. It will be enough to water the sunflower once a day, and use potassium fertilizers as top dressing.
Beneficial features
The beneficial properties of the plant are due to its chemical composition. Sunflower is rich in flavonoids, glycosides, carotenoids, anthocyanins, scopolins, phenolcarboxylic acids. Aboveground part contains betaine, choline, carotene, sterol. The seeds of the plant are used to produce vegetable oil rich in linoleic, oleic acid. Sunflower oil is used to treat biliary dyskinesia, cholecystitis.
Sunflower decoction has long been used for loss of appetite: 1 tbsp. l. flowers are poured with boiling water and insisted for an hour. Take an infusion of a third of a glass up to 4 times a day before meals. For colds, prepare an infusion of 3 tbsp. l. flowers soaked in boiling water. The broth is insisted for 15 minutes, drunk at night. To prepare the infusion, you can use sunflower stems. The crushed stems are poured with boiling water, insisted, then take 0.5 cups 3 times a day. Europeans learned to use tea from this plant already in the 18th century, it calmed the fever.
Seeds contain 6 times more magnesium than rye bread. The benefits of seeds are invaluable in diseases of the liver, gallbladder. Their use is an effective prevention of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis. They contain zinc, calcium, fluorine, iron, iodine. In cosmetology, the plant is used as an additive to various skin care products. Sunflower oil is added in the production of lipstick, shampoos, and children's hygiene products. Sunflower oil contains a large amount of vitamin F. It has a positive effect on the skin of the face, hair, nails, and has moisturizing properties. According to the content of vitamin E, a well-known antioxidant, sunflower oil is 12 times higher than olive oil.. The oil is great for skin. It is best used for dry and aging skin.
Use in cooking
In cooking, this plant is used in baking bread. To do this, the seeds are roasted and ground, they are used as a filler for dough, from which cookies are baked. In England, it is customary to prepare vitamin salads from young sunflower baskets.
Sunflower seeds are used to make dessert cream. Approximately 100 grams of seeds are fried in a pan, then they are peeled. Peeled seeds are ground in a coffee grinder, mixed with 20 grams of cream, 10 grams of cocoa, 15 grams of sugar. The recipe for another dessert is similar to the previous one. Roasted seeds in a coffee grinder are ground together with hazelnut kernels. Fill the mixture with cream.
Sunflower benefits and treatment
The benefits of the plant have long been known to folk medicine. Sunflower root is used for medicinal purposes.. This part of the plant is most effective for salt deposits, stone formation, and osteochondrosis. modern medicine solves problems with stones with the help of surgery or exposure to ultrasound. Today, few people know about the properties of the root of this plant, although it was widely used several hundred years ago. It contains alkaline alkaloids, which allow the dissolution of stones formed in an acidic environment, i.e. oxalate and urate. Unfortunately, the sunflower cannot dissolve stones that have formed in an alkaline environment. Therefore, in order for the treatment to be effective, it is first necessary to accurately determine the nature of the stones that have formed in the organs..
Sunflower has also shown itself well in the treatment of diseases of the joints, the cause of which is the deposition of salts.. The decoction is recommended to be taken rather for prevention, but not when the cartilage of the joint is already damaged. Cartilage tissue root will not be able to restore. For treatment, a decoction or tea is prepared from the roots of the plant. To do this, the roots are harvested in the fall after collecting sunflower caps. One glass of the obtained raw material is poured with 3 glasses of water and boiled for 5 minutes. Tea should be drunk within two days. Then the roots are again filled with water (3 l) and boiled for another 5 minutes. The third time, the roots are boiled for 15 minutes. The drink is consumed in large doses. The salts will begin to come out after about 2-3 weeks, while the urine will change its color and become rusty. Drink the decoction until the urine is clear. During treatment, it is recommended to adhere to a dietary diet.
The plant has a positive effect on the human condition diabetes. Tea has diuretic, astringent, expectorant properties. Poultices are prepared from the leaves of the plant. They are effective in the treatment of tumors, wounds, spider bites, snake bites.. Seeds are effective in allergic reactions, they are used for colds and coughs as an expectorant. At nervous diseases prepare a tincture of 100 grams of flowers and 2 glasses of vodka. The tincture is placed in a dark place for two weeks, shaking occasionally. Take 40 drops of tincture 3 times a day before meals.
Sunflower harm and contraindications
The plant can bring harm to the body with individual intolerance. A decoction of the roots is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, children. Do not use this method of treatment in the presence of insoluble stones. Sunflower oil, for all its usefulness, like any other oil, should not be consumed in large quantities, because this is fraught with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.