Helianthus annus L. & seed oil
The sunflower plant produces large, bright yellow flowers with petals radiating from a darker center and can reach considerable size. Its seeds are edible enough to have been used by Native Americans for more than 5,000 years. Its name derives from the fascinating phenomenon whereby its flowers, as well as resembling the sun, twist with their stems and chase it throughout the day.
Sunflower seeds contain 20-30% of protein and iron, B vitamins, vitamin A, calcium, nitrogen and phosphorus. In particular, it has the highest Vit-E content of any vegetable oil. Seed constituents are a volatile oil, potassium carbonate, tannins and excellent sources of B vitamins (B1, B3 and B6) including niacin and pantothenic acid. Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E, oleic acid, linoleic acid and low in saturated fat.
Sunflower oil is easily absorbed by the skin and when further enriched in ozone(O3) for example provides even deeper nourishment and hydration. For these reasons, it is a widely used ingredient in traditional medicine and ethnomedicine as well as in aromatherapy, where it promotes feelings of harmony and peace of mind.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
National Sunflower Association: Health and Nutrition, copyright ©2011 National Sunflower Association. 2401 46th Avenue SE, Suite 206, Mandan, ND 58554-4829.
Anjum FA, Nadeem M, Khan MI , Hussain S.(2012) Nutritional and therapeutic potential of sunflower seeds: a review. British Food Journal;114:544-552.
Rodrigues KL, Cardoso CC, Caputo LR, Carvalho JC, Fiorini JE, Schneedorf JM. (2004) Cicatrizing and antimicrobial properties of an ozonised oil from sunflower seeds. Inflammopharmacology;12(3):261-70
