The homeland of sunflower is North America. Most experts claim that sunflowers began to be cultivated in their homeland much earlier than wheat. The ancient Mexicans called the plant the “flower of the sun”; they considered it sacred plant and was identified with the symbol of the Sun deity.
Today sunflower is used in cosmetology, homeopathy, cooking and folk medicine. From it they get sunflower oil, seeds, and from the cake they prepare many favorite treat- halva. In homeopathy, the plant is used to treat ailments of the spleen and liver, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, rheumatic pain, and gastrointestinal diseases.
Botanical characteristics of the sun flower
Sunflower is an annual plant of the Asteraceae family, reaching a height of a meter or more. The plant is endowed with a ribbed, erect, rigidly rough stem, a tap root system, large heart-shaped or ovoid crenate-toothed leaves, light yellow large flowers.
The plant begins to bloom in the middle summer period and by August the fruits ripen. The fruit of a sunflower is an oblong, ovoid, black achene. The plant loves neutral, nutritious, light soils and good lighting. Sunflower is heat-loving and afraid of frost. Peru and Mexico are his homeland. Regions with warm temperate climate- the place where the plant grows.
Collection, preparation and storage of medicinal raw materials
IN medicinal purposes They use almost all parts of the plant: leaves, seeds, roots, flowers. Flowers must be collected at the beginning of the plant's flowering. You need to tear them off carefully, avoiding damage to the baskets. It is recommended to dry raw materials in a well-ventilated area.
Leaves must be harvested in summer. The leaves are usually torn off without petioles. Next, they are spread in a thin layer on paper and dried on outdoors, in the shade or in a special dryer at a temperature not exceeding fifty degrees. Properly dried raw materials should have a rough surface, dark green color and clearly visible pubescent veins.
Sunflower rhizomes must be harvested at the beginning autumn period. They need to be cleaned of soil and other foreign impurities, washed and dried in an oven or dryer. The harvested raw materials are poured into paper or fabric bags and stored in a dark, dry place. The shelf life of raw materials is two years.
Composition, properties of sunflower
The plant contains a considerable amount of:
- carotene;
- betaine;
- choline;
- resinous substances;
- fatty oils;
- flavonoids;
- organic acids;
- tannins;
- calcium;
- zinc;
- anthocyanins;
- glycosides;
- bitter substances;
- squirrel;
- phytina;
- carbohydrates;
- lecithin;
- vitamins A, E;
- pectin compounds;
- saponins.
Rich chemical composition gives the plant a whole arsenal healing properties. Sunflower has expectorant, choleretic, antispasmodic, antipyretic, laxative, softening, antitussive, enveloping, immunomodulatory, astringent, antisclerotic and antirheumatic effects.
Plant preparations contribute to:
- activation of lipid metabolism;
- normalization of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- preventing fat deposition;
- strengthening the central nervous system;
- stimulation of cardiac activity;
- prevention premature aging;
- eliminating inflammatory processes;
- regeneration of cells and tissues of the body;
- accelerating wound healing;
- reduction blood pressure;
- increased appetite;
- normalization of digestion;
- removal of toxic substances and waste from the body;
- strengthening the immune system;
- normalization of metabolic processes.
Medicines based on sunflower are used for the treatment of: jaundice, arthritis, diarrhea, bronchitis, malaria, herpes, gout, rheumatism, cardiovascular diseases, fever, migraine, psoriasis, hives, colds, asthma.
Sunflower in alternative medicine preparations
➡ Gout: tincture therapy.
Take the green lower leaves of the plant and flowers, chop and mix. Fill a glass bottle one-third full with raw materials and fill it to the top with medical alcohol. Refrigerate the mixture for thirty days. Filter and consume twenty milliliters of medicine daily.
:a rrow: Sunflower in joint therapy. Grind the dried rhizome of the plant and brew the raw material with boiling water. Place the mixture on the stove, cook over low heat for sixty minutes. The finished broth will have a dark, rich color. Cool the product, soak a gauze pad in it and apply to painful areas. Place cellophane and cotton wool on top, secure with a bandage and insulate with a warm scarf. This procedure It is recommended to do this before going to bed.
➡ Stomach cancer: use of decoction. Pour a couple of spoons of finely chopped plant flowers running water. Place the container on the stove, bring the product to a boil, reduce the heat and continue to simmer the mixture for half an hour. Cool, filter the product and consume 30 milliliters of the medicine three times a day. The duration of therapy is twenty days.
➡ Whooping cough: sunflower therapy. Take the mature seeds of the plant, dry them in the oven and pound them in a mortar. Fill twenty grams of raw material with 500 ml of running water. Simmer the mixture for a quarter of an hour. It is recommended to take 200 ml of the drug four times a day.
➡ Preparing a remedy to improve appetite. Take ten grams of dried finely chopped leaves and flowers of the plant, pour into a saucepan, fill with water and place the container on the stove. Wait for the mixture to boil and simmer over low heat for twenty minutes. Filter and consume a couple of spoons of the medicine four times a day.
➡ Means for reducing temperature. Brew 200 grams of plant flowers in 300 ml of boiled water. Let the composition brew a little. Add honey to the product, divide the volume into a couple of doses and consume during the day.
➡ CNS pathologies: tincture therapy. Fill the reed sunflower flowers - half a glass with medical alcohol or vodka - 500 ml. Close the container and put it in a dark place for two weeks. Remember to shake the contents periodically. Take thirty drops of the medicine four times a day, before meals.
➡ Preparation of healing ointment. Take the baskets of a plant on which seeds have just begun to form, chop and pour 500 ml of vodka over 100 g of raw material. Then take one bar of baby soap, grind it using a grater and add it to the container. Place the composition on the windowsill for ten days. It is necessary to stir the product daily. Use the medicine to rub painful joints.
Sunflower honey: use in informal medicine
Sunflower is honey plant. Honey of this plant It has a yellowish-golden color, a weak aroma and a somewhat tart taste. Sunflower honey is valued not only for its healing power, but also for its unique smell and taste.
In honey from sunny flower contains a significant amount of amino acids necessary to the human body for protein synthesis. In addition, sunflower honey contains a considerable amount of antioxidants that help fight free radicals and remove toxic substances and toxins from the body.
Traditional healers use this natural product to treat ailments such as diarrhea, malaria, bronchitis, atherosclerosis, cough, colds, flu. In addition, honey contains carotene, vitamin A and aromatic substances that have a bactericidal effect.
Natural sunflower honey promotes:
- strengthening vascular walls;
- normalization of the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- increasing the strength of blood vessels;
- strengthening the heart muscle;
- preventing the occurrence of edema.
Contraindications!
It is not advisable to consume the seeds of the plant when gastritis, stomach ulcers and the presence excess weight and obesity. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to take plant preparations if you are hypersensitive.
Despite the fact that sunflower is a safe plant, you should never abuse products based on it, or exceed the indicated dosages. Before using sunflower medicines, be sure to consult your doctor.
Imagine orderly rows of powerful plants that meet the morning sun and turn their beautiful caps to follow its rays. This is helianthus, known to us as “sunflower” - the most light-loving crop. If you think that you can only find it in fields where sunflowers are grown on an industrial scale, then you are deeply mistaken. Helianthus occupies not the last place in decorative floriculture. Thanks to the work of breeders, many hybrid varieties with interesting colors have been developed, and the unpretentiousness of the crop and its proud, regal appearance attract the attention of lovers of simple but original forms.
Decorative sunflowers are often used to make bouquets, because after cutting the plant retains fresh look within 2 weeks.
Growing helianthus is a pleasure. It develops practically without human help, without needing daily care. Even a single plant in a flower bed becomes the center of attention, and group compositions from different varieties sunflower, and even in combination with other flowers, create a unique masterpiece. We invite you to take a closer look at the decorative sunflower and its popular species, as well as learn about the peculiarities of cultivation, so that everyone can choose a plant to their liking and decorate their plot with it.
Yours scientific name The sunflower received its name thanks to the shape of the inflorescence, reminiscent of the sun, and the Greek language, in which “helianthus” means two words: “sun” and “flowers”. That is why it is often called the “flower of the sun.”
What is a decorative sunflower?
Helianthus is a member of the Asteraceae (Asteraceae) family. All of him hybrid varieties bred on the basis of wild annual sunflower - a medium-sized plant up to 1 m high big amount inflorescences in the form of sun caps. The inflorescence itself is a basket with small tubular petals inside, and large lingual petals along the edge. At the end of flowering, the petals wither and fall off, and black faceted seeds ripen under them.
Sunflower seeds have very good germination rate: even after 3 years they are able to germinate.
Varietal diversity of helianthus
Today, there are almost 200 species of helianthus that are used in decorative floriculture, but breeders do not stop there, inventing new varieties of this unique plant. Among them there are both dwarf specimens, not exceeding 30 cm in height, and real giants, more than 3 m in height. The color of the caps is no less varied: from the characteristic yellow color, to unique white petals and even dark purple. What can we say about terry varieties- their stuffed, lush heads will decorate the flowerbed.
Scientists also worked on the shape of the inflorescence itself, developing varieties similar to dahlias, chrysanthemums or gerberas. And the shape of the petals itself is different from standard view sunflower - they can be round or oval, curved or twisted.
It is worth noting that most modern hybrids are absolutely sterile. They do not have pollen, so they are excluded allergic reaction for a sunflower bouquet.
Depending on the shape of the plant, the following species groups of helianthus flowers are distinguished:
- variegated (with a pattern on the leaves);
- Californian (with stuffed inflorescences);
- multi-flowered (multiple inflorescences are located along the entire stem, giving the sunflower the appearance of a pyramid).
By overall height bushes are distinguished:
- giant varieties with a height of 1.8 to 3 m with large caps with a diameter of up to 30 cm;
- medium-sized sunflowers with a height of 1.2 m;
- dwarf varieties not exceeding 60 cm in height.
Among the most beautiful views The following varieties of helianthus are worth noting:
Where and when is it better to plant a sun flower?
The main thing that needs to be taken into account when growing helianthus is that this plant loves the sun very much and simply cannot live without it. If there is the brightest and warmest spot on your property, it is simply meant for sunflowers. In addition, such an area should not be flooded with melt water.
To admire the colorful caps until frost, you can plant the plant in several passes, starting from April and ending in August.
Planting helianthus is carried out mainly with the help of seeds, placing them in holes of 2 pieces. The second seed is usually used as a backup; if both seeds germinate, one plant can always be replanted. In general, sunflower seeds have good germination rates. There is no need to deepen the seeds too much; 2 cm is enough - in the future, the powerful roots themselves will firmly settle in the hole.
The distance between the holes depends on the specific variety and averages about 40 cm. If it is an erect species that has few branches, the holes can be made closer to each other. Lush, abundantly branching bushes should be planted less often so that they have enough space to develop.
If you decide to grow helianthus seedlings (this option is also possible), you should consider that it does not tolerate transplantation well.
Dwarf varieties can be bred as potted crops, placing the containers outdoors in the garden in the summer. Perennial helianthus are propagated by dividing the bush, which is carried out in the third year after planting in early spring or in the fall.
Caring for decorative sunflowers
Despite its size and powerful structure (rarely any other garden flower has such a strong trunk, not counting the bushes), helianthus is the most unpretentious plant. Almost all the main activities for its cultivation are carried out at the planting stage. Choosing for culture appropriate place, caring for helianthus in the future will not cause trouble, because by its nature the sunflower has good vitality, having adopted it from its ancestors. Its developed root system firmly anchors the plant in the soil, be it compact species or tall varieties, and is able to obtain nutrition from the lower layers.
As for watering, helianthus prefers moderate humidity. You should not flood the plantings so that the roots do not start to rot, but in dry, hot summers you will need to add water more often to the bushes.
During the season, it is advisable to feed the decorative sunflower twice to replenish the balance. useful substances, which the powerful root system of the plant selected from the soil. But even if this is not done, the helianthus will not disappear, it will simply not be able to reveal its beauty in full force.
After sunflowers next season you can only plant legumes, because they greatly deplete the earth. Even after applying fertilizers, the soil will only be able to fully recover after several years.
After the inflorescences fade, they must be cut out to prolong general flowering bush (the largest caps should be left to collect the seeds). In addition, pruning will help relieve stress on the stem, and it will not bend. Tall varieties of helianthus need additional support.
To speed up the flowering of helianthus, some gardeners use one trick: they pluck out the stepsons and small buds that grow under the central one.
If everything is clear regarding annuals (they must be planted annually), then a few more words should be said about perennial decorative sunflowers. This applies to the wintering of the flower in open ground– when growing perennials in cold regions, they may require shelter, especially if the winter has little snow. Otherwise, care perennial crops is no different from breeding annual helianthus.
As you have already seen, the sun flower is actually very flexible and incredibly beautiful. Stock up on seeds and grow this versatile plant in your garden. Tall giants with their large hats will reliably hide your dacha from the neighbors, miniature babies with fluffy heads will decorate summer veranda, A perennial sunflowers for a long time will meet you at the gate, nodding their heads in greeting.
Review of decorative sunflower seeds - video
Annual sunflower or sunflower oilseed (sunflower) is an annual herbaceous plant family Asteraceae with large flower baskets. Belongs to the honey-bearing species. It grows in countries with warm, temperate climates. Sunflower is widely cultivated for use in cooking, folk medicine and homeopathy, as well as several other applications.
Preparation and storage
The following medicinal raw materials are used: rhizome, stem with leaves, marginal flowers (yellow “petals”) and annual sunflower seeds. The roots are harvested in the fall: they are dug up, cleared of soil and dried in electric dryer at a temperature of 40-50°C. Flowers are harvested at the beginning of the plant's flowering: they are carefully torn off, trying not to damage the baskets, and dried in a well-ventilated area away from sun rays. Sunflower leaves are harvested in the summer, when they have grown to 5-7 cm: they are picked without petioles and dried outdoors in the shade or in an electric dryer at temperatures up to 50°C. The sunflower stem is harvested when the caps have already been removed: the stems are cut, cut into pieces of approximately 2 cm and dried. The seeds are collected as they ripen.
Dried sunflower raw materials are stored for two years in fabric or paper bags.
Composition and properties
The leaves, stems, and marginal flowers of sunflower are rich in: flavonoids, sterols, anthocyanins, carotenoids, saponins, choline and phenolcarboxylic acids.
The seeds of the plant contain: carotenoids, tannins, sterols, fatty oil and fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins E and PP, lecithin and phospholipids. Sunflower root is rich in potassium salts and alkaline alkaloids. Unrefined sunflower oil contains vitamins A, E, F and D. Thanks to its composition, annual sunflower has: anti-inflammatory, astringent, expectorant, diuretic, choleretic and laxative effects. This plant also regulates salt metabolism.
In folk medicine, sunflower is recommended for:
- flu;
- malaria;
- cough;
- catarrh of the upper respiratory tract;
- bronchial spasms;
- thyroid disease;
- atherosclerosis;
- diseases of the heart muscle;
- poor appetite;
- colic in the stomach and intestines;
- urinary and gallstone diseases;
- hepatitis;
- diseases of the biliary tract;
- arthritis, polyarthritis, osteochondrosis and other diseases associated with salt deposition;
- neuralgia;
- oncology;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- pemphigus vulgaris;
- diabetic ulcers;
- burns, neurodermatitis, eczema.
Recipes
Infusion for appetite:
- 1 tbsp. marginal sunflower flowers;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the flowers and let it brew for an hour. Strain. Drink 1/3 glass three times a day before meals.
This infusion is also recommended for oncology as a diuretic: 1/2 glass three times a day for 10 days, then a break of 5 days and again for 10 days.
Antipyretic infusion:
- 2 tbsp. marginal sunflower flowers;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the petals, let it brew for 10 minutes and strain. Drink at night if you have a cold.
Another recipe for antipyretic infusion:
- 1 tsp crushed fresh stem sunflower;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the stems, let it brew for an hour and strain. Drink 1/2 glass 2-3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
Infusion for high blood sugar:
- 1/2 tbsp. sunflower seeds;
- 1 liter of boiling water.
Pour boiling water over the washed black seeds in a thermos overnight. Strain in the morning. Drink throughout the day between meals. Recommended course of treatment: 14 days of admission, 14 days - break, 14 days of admission, again a break for 14 days and repeat the course of administration a third time.
Decoction for bronchitis and bronchial asthma:
- 1 tbsp. fresh marginal sunflower flowers;
- 1 tbsp. crushed fresh leaves sunflower;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the plant material, boil for 10 minutes over low heat, and then let it brew for an hour. Strain. Add the resulting decoction with boiled water to the original volume. Drink warm 2-3 tablespoons 3-4 times a day before meals. This decoction will also help with malaria and whooping cough.
Decoction for cough, bronchitis, whooping cough and tonsillitis:
- 3 tbsp. crushed sunflower seeds;
- 500 ml water.
Pour water over the seeds and simmer over low heat until the liquid has evaporated by a quarter. Then strain the broth. Can be sweetened. Take 1 tablespoon three times a day for 10-14 days.
Decoction for prostatitis:
- 4/5 cup dried sunflower root;
- 3 liters of water.
Pour water over the roots and boil, and then let the broth brew for 3-4 hours. Drink 1 liter per day.
Decoction for kidney disease:
- 2 handfuls of dried sunflower stems;
- about 3 liters cold water.
Place the stems in three liter jar and fill with water. Let it sit for an hour, then drain the water, boil it and pour it back over the stems in the jar. Cover the jar with gauze and leave to infuse for a day. Then strain. Take half a glass three times a day. Recommended course of treatment: a month of admission, a week off and repeat the course. In total you should take 3-4 courses.
Decoction for salt deposition:
- 1 tbsp. crushed dry sunflower roots;
- 3 liters of boiling water.
Pour boiling water over the roots and boil for 10 minutes over low heat. Strain. Drink 2/3 cup of decoction 2-3 times a day. Store the decoction in the refrigerator - it must be consumed within three days. The recommended course of treatment is 1 month.
Decoction for arthritis (for external use):
- 1 tbsp. crushed sunflower root;
- 1.5 liters of water.
Pour water over the sunflower root, bring to a boil and boil for 10-15 minutes, and then let the broth brew for 2 hours. Strain. Use for compresses and rubbing.
Tincture for psoriasis:
- marginal sunflower flowers;
- 70% alcohol or vodka.
Fill in any glass jar 2/3 full of flowers and fill with vodka to the top. Let the product sit for 14 days. Strain. Use to wipe areas affected by psoriasis.
This tincture can also be used for colds: 1 tablespoon three times a day 20 minutes before meals - no more than 3 days!
Tincture for pneumonia: fill in glass bottle sunflower petals and pour vodka. Let it brew for 14 days. Strain. Take 1 teaspoon three times a day.
Tincture for neurosis, neurasthenia:
- 3 tbsp. crushed marginal sunflower flowers;
- 1 tbsp. vodka.
Fill the flowers with vodka and place them in dark place for 7 days. After a week, strain. Take 35-40 drops diluted in small quantity water, twice a day 20 minutes before meals.
Tincture for gout:
- 1 sunflower flower;
- vodka.
Take a small sunflower flower (without root), chop it and place it in a liter jar, filling 1/3 of its volume. Then fill the jar with the flower to the top with vodka. Let it brew for two weeks. Shake the container with the mixture periodically. After 14 days, strain. Take 1 tablespoon twice a day 20 minutes before meals. Also use the tincture as a rub at night.
For herpes, apply a sunflower flower, previously scalded with boiling water, to the rash.
For the treatment of heel spurs take the sunflower pulp remaining after removing the seeds, boil it and apply it hot to the heel. Secure the sunflower pulp on top with polyethylene and a warm bandage.
Annual sunflower oil is also used in folk medicine: it is taken orally as a laxative, used for rubbing for joint pain and for healing wounds (compresses are made from boiled oil).
Contraindications
Treatment with annual sunflower is contraindicated for:
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- individual intolerance.
Sunflower seeds are not recommended for use by patients with gastritis and stomach ulcers, as well as by overweight people.
Attention: pain in the joints when treated with infusions and decoctions of sunflower signals that they are being cleansed of salts.
Greetings, dear reader of the blog site. Each of us is familiar with sunflower, whose oil is widely used in cooking. However, we will not dwell on the culinary merits of the plant, but will talk about its medicinal properties.
The whole sunflower is healing - from top to bottom. But beneficial features different for each person. Without waiting for the seeds to ripen, you can dig up the sunflower roots, dry them and store them for future use. The petals are good as a tonic for liver diseases: they can be crushed and mixed with honey before use, or dried first and added in powder form to all dishes without exception. Children love this delicacy very much, and they need it for growth, oh, how much they need it!
● It’s hard for patients: decay products accumulate in the lower extremities, often leading to the development of gangrene. To prevent this, you should apply sunflower leaves to your feet: dry in winter, fresh in summer. In both cases, the leaves are steamed: add 4-5 leaves, pour hot water, squeeze it out and apply it to your feet.
We take the central roots (small lateral roots are not suitable for treatment). At correct preparation The roots can be stored for several years. The recipe is:
- one faceted glass of crushed sunflower roots (cut with wire cutters) small pieces 1-1.5cm);
- pour 3 liters of cold water into the raw material, boil for 5 minutes over low heat, remove from heat, cool;
- strain, store the broth and the remaining roots separately in a cold place;
- the entire decoction must be drunk within 3 days, 5 times a day, a whole glass, regardless of the time of meal;
- then boil the same roots again in 3 liters of water, but not 5, but 10 minutes; you should drink according to the same pattern;
- for the 3rd time, cook in 3 liters of water for 15-20 minutes, drink the same. The roots can now be discarded;
- ultimately, from one glass of raw materials you should get 9 liters of decoction for 9 days of consumption;
— for a 2-month course of treatment you will need 7 glasses of crushed sunflower roots, from which we will get 63 liters of healing decoction.
Plant and use sunflowers - this is our salvation from many ailments.
Wish you good health and don’t get sick for a long time!
About sunflower Additional information you will find on Wikipedia... If you want to know how sunflower can help with Crohn's disease, click this
