Sunflowers

Worshipped by the Aztecs and immortalised by both Van Gogh and Picasso, the striking sunflower has become symbolic of the glory of nature. But this plant is more than just a pretty face – the seeds from the flower can help cure your cold, protect your skin and provide an abundant source of natural energy

There was a time when you could only find sunflower seeds in pet shops.  Classed as ‘rabbit food’ along with salads, beans and pulses, the many nutritional and medicinal properties of the seed were long forgotten. In today’s increasingly health-conscious society, the sunflower seed is enjoying a worthy comeback.

Originally from the Americas, the Helianthus Annus comes from the Greek words helios, meaning ‘sun’ and anthus, meaning ‘flower’. The name comes not only from the bright yellow petals – which look like sunbeams – but also the way the face of the flowering bud turns itself to look at the sun as it passes through the sky. According to Greek mythology, the sunflower was once a water nymph (or Dryad) called Clytie, who was deeply in love with Apollo, the God of the Sun. Apollo did not return her affections and poor Clytie resigned herself to sitting and fixing her eyes on her beloved sun from dusk until dawn. Gradually, her golden hair started to resemble yellow petals, her legs became the stem and her face became a flower. In her new form, Clytie continued to gaze at her sun from morning to night, as did all of her children, the sunflowers we see today.

In their native land of Peru, sunflowers were highly revered by the Aztecs and many gold statues of the flower have been found in ancient temples.  Priestesses would wear gold crowns of sunflowers and carry the flowers in their hands as a sign of divinity. The plant was also cultivated in North America by Native Indians, where they featured predominantly in ceremonial dances as symbols of endurance and strength. The Indians used the yellow petals to dye their clothes, fed the leaves of the plant to their animals and extracted the oil from the seeds. Warriors would keep little balls of meal made from sunflower seed as sustenance for long hunting trips. Far from home and weary, one bite would provide instant rejuvenation.

1800 years later, the bright yellow petals caught the eye of the Spanish explorers in America. They took it back to Europe where it was grown ornamentally. During the 1870s, Argentina began cultivating the sunflower. When the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s created a shortage of olive oil being shipped to Argentina, the Argentine farmers turned to the sunflower and eventually became the second largest producer of sunflower oil.

By definition, seeds are storehouses of nutrients. As the fertilised ovule of flowering plants, they contain everything the plant needs to begin life: protein, minerals, some vitamins and unsaturated fat. No wonder then, that they are synonymous with numerous healthy eating brands and are recommended by nutritionists all over the world as part of a healthy diet. Sunflower heads absorb all the goodness from the sun and store up vitamin D in the seeds, which makes for a great substitute for sunshine in the long winter months. The long roots of the plant bury deep into the soil, absorbing minerals only found very far down from the surface of the ground, such as phosphorous and potassium. The seeds also contain essential fatty acids, zinc, iron, calcium and a high level of B-Complex vitamins such as B5, which nourishes the adrenal glands in the body. Poor adrenal function usually results in energy slumps, so reach for the sunflower seeds when feeling the sugar cravings for a healthy and effective energy pick-me-up! Excellent bowel-toners, these seeds are often used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.

Sunflower seeds are a great weapon against the radiation we are exposed to every day from our computers, TVs, microwaves and mobile phones. They are full of pectin, which binds radioactive residues and removes them from the body.

Sunflower oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are needed by the body for energy. The oil has a protein content of 25 per cent and has a high concentration of lipotropic constituents. Lipotropic literally means ‘fat mover’ and refers to substances that can help the liver metabolise fats and remove them from the bloodstream. A study carried out in Sweden showed that a diet rich in sunflower oil lowered the levels of cholesterol in the blood.

The medicinal uses of the sunflower seeds and oil are well-documented in holistic healing. Both have an expectorant effect, which helps remove phlegm and other toxins from the body when treating throat and lung infections, coughs and colds. When cold-pressed, the vitamin E-enriched oil helps heal dermatological conditions. In Eastern medicine, the flowers of the sunflower are used to combat infections of the windpipe, the leaves are used as treatment for asthma and diabetes and the root is used to eliminate parasites from the body, soothe bruises and can act as a mild laxative.

Tasty, nutritious and versatile, the sunflower seed has a wealth of goodness to offer us!

Sunflower sprouts

A vitamin-packed addition to any salad or sandwich, sunflower sprouts are fun and easy to grow. Simply soak the seeds – shell included – in water for about five hours. Take a saucer or a glass dish and spread a thin layer of soil along the bottom. Push the seeds into the soil and water lightly, making sure they are not waterlogged. Place the dish in a plastic bag out of the sunshine until the sprouts start peeking out of the soil. Once you can see the shoots, take the saucer out of the bag and place on a sunny windowsill for two – three days until you have a plateful of fresh, juicy sprouts.

• Did you know…?

The sunflower is actually part of the daisy family, which also houses the Jerusalem Artichoke – another powerful antioxidant

• Did you know…?

Native American Indians disliked waste of any kind.  The shells of the sunflower seeds were boiled in water to make a weak, coffee-like drink with restorative properties

For Recipes Containing Sunflowers just click