Helianthus annuus

L.Compositae ,Common Sunflower

Names

Known as chimalati in Mexico, Marigold of Peru, Coronasolis, Sola Indianus,Chrysanthemum Peruvianum

History

The Common Sunflower is a native of Peru,introduced to Europe in the 16th c.It was revered by the Aztecs;priestesses wore crowns of Sunflowers, also carrying them in their hands

Grown for seed by Amerindians with maize (corn). Early belief had it that Sunflowers grown near the home protected the dwellers from Malaria.

The name Helianthus derives from the Greek helios (sun) and anthos (a flower).

During wartime, Sunflower cropping increases, the products of oil and seed becoming important. One bushel yields one gallon of oil. An average acre produces 50 bushels of viable seed.

Constituents

Unsaturated fixed oil (30%),albumin,lecithin,betaine,choline,plant:Potassium nitrate,Potassium carbonate,tannins;helianthitanic acid,a flavonic glycoside,quercimetrin.Inulin, Levulin, dextro-rotatory sugar,violet colouring matter.

Uses

cooking oil,trailmix,bread,coffeee sub,poultry feed;cattlefeed;sheepsfodder;soapmaking,candlemaking,wooldressing,pith used in life-saving appliances, moxa,

seeds:diuretic,expectorant,bronchial infection,laryngeal infection, pulmonary affection,coughs, colds, whooping cough.Tincture of Helianthus for Malarial fever;leaves in herb tobaccos.

Relief of Whooping Cough:

brown seeds in the oven and make into an infusion.

Relief of Malarial Fever

Leaves are spread upoin a bed covered with cloth and moistened with warm milk, then the patient is wrapped in it.

Contra-Indications

FLOWERING PLANTS such as chrysanthemums, dahlias, sunflowers, marigolds, safflower and daisies - the pollen from Chrysanthemum and sunflower cause symptoms in some people who are exposed to heavy concentrations, such as flower growers.

Contact allergic dermatitis

"Asteraceae plants may cause contact allergic dermatitis. Echinacea, daisies, chrysanthemum, chamomile, tansy, dandelion, feverfew and sunflowers have all been associated with contact allergy in gardeners and florists. Similar symptoms can be caused by plant extracts in cosmetics, shampoos and massage oils. Contact with airborne plant-derived allergen can also trigger rashes in exposed skin, a condition commonly known as 'Australian bush dermatitis'."

See more at source: Allergy.org Australia

Natural Blood Thinners

Foods rich in vitamin E are also natural blood thinners. A number of oils—such as safflower, corn, olive, sunflower, soybean, and wheatgerm — contain vitamin E. Other foods sources of vitamin E include:

spinach
tomatoes
mangoes
kiwi
peanut butter
almonds
sunflower seeds
broccoli

Most likely, the above foods may be moderately included in your diet, however -

Check with your doctor before eating natural anticoagulants if you take blood-thinning medications to control your heart disease.

SOURCE: Healthline.com: Blood-Thinners

BRONCHIOECSTASIS

*chest medicine*;
Persistent and progressive dilation of bronchi or bronchioles as a consequence of inflammatory disease lung infections), obstruction (tumour) or abnormality (for example cystic fibrosis).
Symptoms include fetid breath and paroxysmal coughing, with the expectoration of mucopurulentmatter.
It may affect the bronchioles uniformly (cylindric bronchiectasis) or occur in irregular pockets (sacculated bronchiectasis) or the dilated bronchi may have terminal bulbous enlargements
(fusiform).Although rarely congenital, it is most often an acquired condition in childhood.

TINCTURE OF FLOWERS AND LEAVES IN COMBINATION WITH BALSAMICS.

Companions Note: Click to Article

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