The Use of Sunflowers

The History, Culture and Traditions Associated With the Sunflower

Aug 24, 2009

The sunflower has many uses and traditions associated with it; the sunflower has been used for food, therapeutically, cosmetically and in many ancient traditions.

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a member of the Asteraceae plant family and is botanically related to chrysanthemum, gerbera, calendula and dahlia flowers, which are often found in many wedding bouquets; the Asteraceae plant family members are known for their large, bright flowers. However, the sunflower has an important use as a food and is used for its therapeutic properties too.

Botanical Description of the Sunflower

Sunflowers are an annual plant and are easily identifiable by a large, bright yellow flower head (actually a collection of many small flowers clustered together); sunflowers grow to a height of up to 15 feet and the flower head of a sunflower can reach 15 inches in width. In order to grow well, sunflowers need a lot of sun, hence their English name of sunflower.

The History and Culture of the Sunflower

The Latin name for sunflower is derived from the Greek word helios, meaning sun, and anthos, meaning flower; the second part of the Latin name for sunflower, annus, means yearly. However, the sunflower is a native of South America; it is believed that many ancient cultures used the sunflower for its therapeutic properties and in culinary practice. The Aztec and the Inca cultures believed that the sunflower represented the sun and therefore worshiped the sunflower accordingly.

The sunflower was brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the sixteenth century and from Spain the sunflower spread to Russia; today the sunflower is a common sight across the world and is cultivated in France, Spain, Italy, the USA, Russia, Argentina, India and Eastern Europe.

Traditional Uses of Sunflowers

Sunflower seeds were a great food source for ancient South American cultures and were sometimes toasted. The Native American Indians used the root of the sunflower in an infusion to treat snake bites; sunflower oil (extracted from the sunflower head) was used as a hair conditioner. In traditional Russian remedies, the head of the sunflower and sunflower leaves were used to treat conditions such as bronchitis and rheumatism.

The Therapeutic Properties of the Sunflower

The oil extracted from the sunflower contains therapeutic properties which can be used to treat many skin conditions, sinusitis, hemorrhoids and leg ulcers; sunflower oil is extracted from the seeds of the sunflower and may be combined with other therapeutic oils for a greater synergistic effect. Sunflower oil is moisturizing and is often used as a base carrier oil in aromatherapy blends; sunflower oil also contains vitamin A, vitamin D and other valuable minerals such as calcium and iron.

Use of the Sunflower as a Food

Both the seeds and the oil of the sunflower are used in food preparations; sunflower oil is used in salads and as a frying oil (not to be confused with sunflower oil used for therapeutic purposes). Sunflower seeds are a good source of nutrition and are high in vitamin D, vitamin B, niacin, and protein; sunflower seeds can be roasted.

The Versatile Uses of Sunflowers

The sunflower has many uses; the sunflower produces sunflower oil which can be used in cooking and for therapeutic purposes (the different processing methods of the sunflower oil after extraction distinguishes the differences between culinary sunflower oil and therapeutic sunflower oil). Sunflower seeds are excellent source of nutrition. In addition, sunflowers can simply be used for their large, bright flowers in floral and wedding displays.

References:

Hutchens, Alma R. 1973 Indian Herbalogy of North America USA: Shambhala Publications, Inc.

The copyright of the article The Use of Sunflowers in Ethnobotany is owned by Sharon Falsetto. Permission to republish The Use of Sunflowers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.