Sunflower
Sunflower
Sunflower or Suryamukhi is one of the most beautiful flowers. Sunflower oil extracted from its seeds is the world’s second most edible oil. It is rich in healthy fats, various vitamins and minerals that play a very important role in reducing the risk of many health problems.
Consuming soaked Sunflower seeds helps manage constipation by reducing dryness of the intestine. Sunflower oil is also beneficial for the heart due to the presence of antioxidants that help manage cholesterol levels in the blood. Using Sunflower oil for cooking might help to improve digestion. It also helps reduce pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory property.
You can apply Sunflower oil to helps manage skin infections due to its antimicrobial activity[2-5].
Consuming soaked Sunflower seeds helps manage constipation by reducing dryness of the intestine. Sunflower oil is also beneficial for the heart due to the presence of antioxidants that help manage cholesterol levels in the blood. Using Sunflower oil for cooking might help to improve digestion. It also helps reduce pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory property.
You can apply Sunflower oil to helps manage skin infections due to its antimicrobial activity[2-5].
What are the synonyms of Sunflower?
Helianthus annuus, Suryamukhi, Surajmukhi, Beliphul, Jirasol, Suriakamal, Adityabhakti, Suryakanthi huvu, Sumukhi, Curiyakanti, Suryakanti, Adityabhakti chettu, Shuriamukti, Suryaphula, Brahmoka, Surajmuka, Suryakanti, Mirasol, Common Sunflower, Arzivana, Aftabi, Guliaftab[1]
What is the source of Sunflower?
Plant Based
Benefits of Sunflower
Modern Science View
Sunflower seed oil may be useful in managing high cholesterol. It is rich in linoleic acid and oleic acid that plays a role in lowering total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the blood[3][5][6][10][11].
Ayurvedic View
High cholesterol is due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Impaired digestion at the tissue level produces excess waste products or Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This causes accumulation of bad cholesterol and blockage in the blood vessels. Sunflower oil helps to improve digestive fire and reduce Ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. This helps control high cholesterol level.
Tips:
1. Use 1/2 -1 tablespoon of Sunflower oil for cooking purpose.
Tips:
1. Use 1/2 -1 tablespoon of Sunflower oil for cooking purpose.
Modern Science View
Although enough scientific evidence is not available, Sunflower seeds may be useful in managing constipation[6][13].
Ayurvedic View
Constipation is caused due to an aggravated Vata dosha. This can be due to the frequent consumption of junk food, excess intake of coffee or tea, sleeping late at night, stress and depression. All these factors aggravate Vata in the large intestine and cause constipation. Soaked Sunflower seeds help to reduce dryness of the intestine and manages constipation. This is due to its Vata balancing nature.
Tips:
1. Eat 1/2-1 teaspoon of raw, roasted or dried Sunflower seeds 30-60 minutes before a meal.
Or, you can sprinkle it over your food or roast and have it as a snack.
Tips:
1. Eat 1/2-1 teaspoon of raw, roasted or dried Sunflower seeds 30-60 minutes before a meal.
Or, you can sprinkle it over your food or roast and have it as a snack.
Modern Science View
Sunflower seed oil may not be useful in managing high blood pressure[6][12].
Modern Science View
Although enough scientific evidence is not available, Sunflower seeds or oil may be useful in managing Rheumatoid arthritis[6][17].
Ayurvedic View
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is known as Aamavata in Ayurveda. Amavata is a disease in which vitiation of Vata dosha and accumulation of Ama takes place in the joints. Amavāta starts with a weak digestive fire which leads to accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This Ama is carried to different locations through Vata but instead of being absorbed, it gets accumulated in the joints and causes Rheumatoid arthritis. Using Sunflower oil in cooking helps to improve digestive fire and reduce ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. This helps in improving mobility in case of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Tips:
1. Use 1/2 -1 tablespoon of Sunflower oil for cooking purpose.
Tips:
1. Use 1/2 -1 tablespoon of Sunflower oil for cooking purpose.
Modern Science View
Sunflower seeds and oil may be useful in managing atherosclerosis. Sunflower seeds and oil contain polyunsaturated fatty acids that have potent anti-atherosclerosis activity. They decrease total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level in the blood. This reduces the formation of plaques in the arteries and prevents atherosclerosis[3][6][16].
How effective is Sunflower?
Likely effective
High cholesterol
Likely ineffective
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Insufficient evidence
Atherosclerosis (plaque deposition inside the arteries), Constipation, Rheumatoid arthritis
Precautions when using Sunflower
Allergy
Modern Science View
People sensitive to members of the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family such as chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies etc. are also allergic to Sunflower. In such cases, consult a doctor before using Sunflower[6].
Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Although Sunflower is safe to consume in food amounts, consult your doctor before consuming Sunflower supplements during breastfeeding[6].
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Sunflower may lower the blood glucose levels. So it is generally advised to monitor the sugar levels regularly while taking Sunflower along with anti-diabetic drugs[3].
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Although Sunflower is safe to consume in food amounts, consult your doctor before consuming Sunflower supplements during pregnancy[6].
Recommended Dosage of Sunflower
- Sunflower Capsule - 1-2 capsules twice a day.
- Sunflower Seeds - ½-1 teaspoons once or twice a day.
- Sunflower Powder - ¼-½ teaspoon twice day.
How to use Sunflower
1. Sunflower Seeds
a. Eat 1/2-1 teaspoons of raw, roasted or dried Sunflower seeds 30-60 minutes before a meal.
b. Sunflower seeds can also be added to salads.
2. Sunflower Oil
It can be used in general cooking for e.g., frying, baking etc.
3. Sunflower Powder
a. ¼-½ teaspoons of Sunflower powder can also be taken twice a day.
b. You can also sprinkle it over food or have it as a snack.
4. Sunflower Capsule
a. Take 1-2 Sunflower capsule.
b. Swallow it with water after taking lunch and dinner.
a. Eat 1/2-1 teaspoons of raw, roasted or dried Sunflower seeds 30-60 minutes before a meal.
b. Sunflower seeds can also be added to salads.
2. Sunflower Oil
It can be used in general cooking for e.g., frying, baking etc.
3. Sunflower Powder
a. ¼-½ teaspoons of Sunflower powder can also be taken twice a day.
b. You can also sprinkle it over food or have it as a snack.
4. Sunflower Capsule
a. Take 1-2 Sunflower capsule.
b. Swallow it with water after taking lunch and dinner.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Sunflower oil is good for you as it is low in unhealthy saturated fatty acids and so it does not raise your cholesterol levels. It is naturally free from trans fat and sodium and is rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E. It improves the immune system and reduces the risk of heart disease.
Ayurvedic View
According to Ayurveda, Sunflower oil is good for you. It is Madhur (sweet ) in taste, Laghu (light to digest) and Snigdha (oily) in nature. It also help balance all the three doshas. Regular use of Sunflower oil increases energy, improves the immune system and promotes a healthy digestive system.
Modern Science View
Yes, Sunflower seeds can be eaten raw. They are naturally low in sodium and high in oil content. Sunflower seeds can also be roasted or baked. But their consumption must be limited as they are high in calories (100 grams of Sunflower seeds have about 584 calories).
Modern Science View
To harvest Sunflower seeds:
1. Check for ripeness of the Sunflowers. The back of the head of the flowers that have turned brown from green are selected (this happens about 35-40 days after bloom).
2. Cut the head off the plant (about 4 inches below the flower head) and remove the seeds with your fingers or a fork.
1. Check for ripeness of the Sunflowers. The back of the head of the flowers that have turned brown from green are selected (this happens about 35-40 days after bloom).
2. Cut the head off the plant (about 4 inches below the flower head) and remove the seeds with your fingers or a fork.
Modern Science View
Sunflower seeds do not contain a lot of carbohydrates but are high in calorie. Two tablespoons of dried Sunflower seeds contain about 6 gram carbohydrates and 160 calories.
Modern Science View
Sunflower seed shells are very high in fiber so eating them may result in intestinal blockage and constipation. The sharp edges of shells may cause cuts to the lining of the digestive tract causing stomach pain.
References
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- Nandha R, Singh H, Garg K et al.Therapeutic potential of Sunflower seeds:an overview.Int J Res Dev Pharm Life Sci.2012;3(3):967-972.
- Darmstadt GL, Saha SK, Ahmed ASMNU et al.Effect of topical treatment with skin barrier-enhancing emollients on nosocomial infections in preterm infants in Bangladesh:a randomised controlled trial.Lancet.2005;365(9464):1039-1045.
- Darmstadt GL, Badrawi N, Law PA et al.Topically applied Sunflower seed oil prevents invasive bacterial infections in preterm infants in Egypt:a randomized, controlled clinical trial.Pediatr Infect Dis J.2004;23(8):719-725.
- Marques SR, Peixoto CA, Messias JB et al.The effects of topical application of Sunflower-seed oil on open wound healing in lambs.Acta Cir Bras.2004;19(3).
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Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.