SUNFLOWER

Arthritis, ague, cardio-vascular problems, chest congestion, chest pain, colds, constipation, coughs, diarrhea, diuretic, eczema, eye sight, fevers, feverish tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, kidney inflammation, low sperm count, malaria, nail biting, pain relief, stop smoking, snake bites, stomach pain, treat worms, ulcers, whooping cough.

FLOWERS:

Native Americans used the tea of the flowers for lung ailments & malaria.
Useful against dysentery, inflammations of the bladder & kidney.

LEAVES:

The leaves are astringent.
Sunflower leaf tea has been used to treat high fevers & for lung ailments. Just a few tablespoons of sunflower leaf tea will stop diarrhea.
The leaves have both diuretic & expectorant properties.
When dried, their antipyretic properties enhance the effect of anti-cold teas.
An infusion of the pith of sunflower stem is diuretic & also makes a good local application in some forms of acute ophthalmia.

SEEDS:

Sunflower seeds are a good source of selenium, which inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells.
They are also high in B-1, B-5, phosphorous, tryptophan, copper, B-6, manganese, folate, fiber, iron & zinc.
Sprouted sunflower seeds are an excellent source of amino acids & Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
The seeds are also used medicinally, to calm the nerves & for their antioxidant properties.
Vitamin E in the sunflower seeds has significant anti-inflammatory effects that result in the reduction of symptoms in asthma, osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin E has also been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer, help decrease the severity & frequency of hot flashes in women going through menopause & help reduce the development of diabetic complications.
Sunflower seeds are also high in magnesium, which helps reduce the severity of asthma, lower high blood pressure & prevent migraine headaches, as well as reducing the risk of heart attack & stroke.
Sunflower seeds can help in cases of bronchial, pulmonary & laryngeal problems.

The oil obtained from the seeds by expression, has been employed with benefit in cough, in dysentery, in inflammation of the mucous coat of the bladder & in disease of the kidneys.
Take 1 tsp, 2 - 3 times a day.

As an anti-aging substance for men, the Sunflower seeds are very important, to eat, in the health of the prostate gland.

ROOTS:

A poultice of the root can be used for snakebites & spider bites.
The roots have also been useful in treating rheumatism.
The American Indians would crush the roots to make dressings for wounds.

PRECAUTIONS:

Pollen or plant extracts may cause allergic reactions.

RECIPES:

The seed is dried, soaked in saltwater, then roasted.
Shelled seeds are easy to toss into ­salads & sandwiches, incorporate into breads & pastries, sprinkle on baked potatoes or hot cereal & use in a variety of vegetarian dishes.
They can be ground in a coffee mill & added to flour for pancakes or pie crusts, to which they lend a distinctive nutty flavor.
The seed is also the source of a premium oil, valued by cooks for its light color, mild flavor, relatively low level of saturated fats & its ability to withstand cooking at high temperatures.

Decoction:

1 kg of seeds to 1 l of water
Boil down to 400 ml & strain.
Add 200 ml of Holland gin & 200 ml of honey.
Take 1-2 tsp 3 - 4 times a day.

High Blood Pressure:

Pour 2 liters of cold water over

0,5 liters sunflower seeds, in shells.

Bring to boil, simmer on low heat for 2 hours.

Take off the heat, cool, strain.

Drink 1 cup over the day.

Blood pressure will normalize very quickly & has long lasting effect.

BEAUTY:

Mask for Falling Hair:

Mix 1 egg yolk with
1 tbsp sunflower oil
Massage into your scalp.
After 30 minutes wash it out with cool water.

MAGIC:

The early American settlers would plant sunflowers around their homes, believing that the flowers would ward off malaria.
In many folkloric traditions, sunflowers are seen as symbols of good luck. Planting them around your home & garden will bring fortune your way.
It is also said that if you pick a sunflower at sunset, then wear it on your person, it will bring you
good luck the following day.
In European folklore sunflowers were believed to make wishes come true: pick a flower at sunset, make a wish & by the time the sun has come round again, your wish should have been granted.
It was also believed in some countries that the flower was a means of divination & that placing a sunflower under the bed would reveal the truth of any particular matter to the sleeper.
In country magic the sunflower was said to be ruled by the Sun & was linked to fertility, wisdom & health & a popular charm for a woman who wished to conceive was to eat sunflower seeds.

To protect against small pox, wear sunflower seeds around your neck.

The sunflower is great for rituals for acquiring wealth & for creating a relaxed, comfortable happiness,the same sort you feel on a warm, sunny day.
Sunflower combats depression or grief & protects from the negative.
The petals are a nice addition to a bath, especially a ritual bath to attract happiness.