Is there a more cheerful flower than a sunflower? Did you know that just one sunflower can contain up to 2,000 seeds? Once hulled the tiny seeds are full of nutrition and a useful natural remedy for varicose veins, muscle cramps, healthy skin and grey hair. The oil pressed from these seeds is a light oil that is nutrition for your skin.
Sunflower seeds contain significant amounts of protein, fiber, Vitamin E, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus and Selenium. They are a great snack alone or addition to meals. Add them to your morning porridge, your salad at lunch and your soup at dinnertime.
Sunflower seeds contain in impressive amount of vitamin E. One ¼ cup of sunflower seeds contains 75% of the daily need of vitamin E. Vitamin E can reduce varicose veins and promotes good heart health.
Sunflower seeds are a good source of copper. Copper deficiency can cause premature grey hair.
The magnesium in sunflower seeds is great for anxiety, leg cramps and proper heart function.
Sunflower seeds can support proper thyroid function because they contain selenium. Selenium is needed by the thyroid gland. It also may be a cancer preventative!
When you buy sunflower seeds, check the labels. Your seeds should only contain sunflower seeds and sea salt, if you like. Sunflower seeds in the salted shell should be eaten in moderation due to the significant salt content. Avoid sunflower seeds that list ingredients other than sunflower seeds and salt. There is no need for additional ingredients. Flavored sunflower seeds often contain artificial colors and MSG.
Sunflower seed oil is a light cosmetic oil that is high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It makes a great massage oil, base for home made healing salves and is nourishing to your face and hands.1 Look for cold pressed or expeller pressed sunflower seed oil for your cooking and beauty needs.
Flower Oil Recipe
- Dry chamomile flowers
- Sunflower seed oil
- Pour sunflower seed oil over dry chamomile flowers in a small jar.
- Cover with a lid.
- Allow the flowers to steep in the oil for 2 weeks.
- Strain out the flowers with a coffee filter or old piece of t-shirt.
- The remaining flower oil can be used as a massage oil or as a nighttime moisturizer for your face.
- This flower oil will bring relief to dry skin, prevent wrinkles and sooth eczema and dermatitis.
Sunflowers for Mood
If you are able to buy a bouquet of sunflowers at a local farmer’s market, or happen to have the luxury of space to grow some yourself, you will find yourself smiling each time you pass by those large sunny blossoms!
Have you used any part of the sunflower for your own health or beauty regime? We would love to hear from you!
Sources:
- Tourles, Stephanie, Organic Body Care Recipes, 2007
I have an ulcer (non h.pylori) that developed after I had taken NSAIDS. I tried everything to get rid of it. Some things I tried did not work at all, while others did work, but interfered with the effectiveness of my other supplements. I was at the end of my rope, and then an extremely happy accident occurred! I wanted to find a healthy snack as I had changed my diet some time ago. So, I thought I would try sunflower seeds. I would eat them every night (about 2 handfuls hulled) on an empty stomach before bed time. The next morning I noticed that my ulcer did not hurt as much. So, I did some research on the Internet, and found the answer. It turns out that sunflower seeds have amino acids, minerals, and other components that heal damaged tissue anywhere in the body! As each day went by, my ulcer began to get better and better. It's amazing how I searched and searched, but found a cure purely by accident. Now, that's not to say that it won't act up again if I eat a bowel of chili or something. But, if I stick to a bland diet for a few weeks and eat the seeds every night, then I'm good as new!
REMEDY FOUND! I have had sleep apnea for the last twenty years or so, even though I don't fit the profile of overweight, diabetes, etc. In fact, for my age (71) I am quite healthy. Apart from sleeping on my side, I've found no relief — until a couple of weeks ago. That was when I started eating raw sunflower seeds (organic) before bedtime. I thought at first that my new-found restful nights were a coincidence, but I did some research online, first on the nutrients in the seeds (there were about a half dozen mentioned) and then on each of those nutrients as they might be related to apnea. I discovered that there has been at least one study linking vitamin E to improvement of apnea! I've been taking 2 oz each night. Start with less if your digestion isn't great and chew well — or grind in a coffee bean grinder. You can add a little honey for taste. You can try vitamin E from a bottle or capsule, but studies on this vitamin show almost no benefit from the factory-produced form (probably because the oil goes rancid.) Good luck and sweet dreams to you all!!
For diarrhea: Make a tea with sunflower leaves, then take it one teaspoon at a time, until you return to normal. Increase the amount gradually as needed. Use carefully, because the tea can cause constipation.