The sunflower is actually a pseudanthium, or flowerhead made up of many small flowers. The outer yellow 'petals' are known as ray flowers and are made up of multiple petals fused together. Ray petals are usually yellow but can sometimes can be red or orange. Sunflower petals have qualities as digestive tonic, stimulating appetite and digestion, as well as an effective vermifuge – a valuable ally for people who are fond of sushi and tartare.
Sunflower petals can be used as food ingredient in soups, salads or as a garnish for cakes and cookies to add color and flavor to recipes. Sunflower petals tea are believed to have potent health benefits on reducing inflammation especially in the throat, windpipes, and tonsils. A poultice made from pounded leaves has also been used on sores, snake bites, and spider bites. One of the many edible flowers, sunflowers have colorful petals that can be used in salads, smoothie bowl or as a pretty garnish. And the greens can be used in the salad, too, or even sauteed like spinach or baked into chips like kale.
Filled with such a variety of awesome medicinal plants, our Sunflower Tea is our most detoxifying blend. A tea made from sunflower leaves has astringent, diuretic, expectorant properties and has been used to treat fevers. Dried sunflower petals are a great ingredient for herbal tea blending. The sunflower tea taste slightly bitter and has a strong flavor, partnered with a sweet aroma of honey.
A decoction made from sunflower seeds has been used to sooth aches. The sunflower seed and sprout contain valuable antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, wound-healing, and cardiovascular benefits found in its phenolic compounds, flavonoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin.
The sunflower as whole is very useful plant, the leaves are used as fodder, the flowers yield a yellow dye, and the seeds contain oil and are used for food. The sweet yellow oil obtained by compression of the seeds is considered equal to olive or almond oil for table use. Sunflower seeds contain vitamin E, flavonoids, and other plant compounds that can reduce inflammation. Sunflower oil cake is used for stock and poultry feeding.
Sunflowers grow tall and strong even in adverse conditions, making them symbol of longevity and resilience. It channels the energy and warmth of the Sun, promotes magical healing, and attracts joy. In some Eastern religions, such as Buddhism, sunflowers are considered sacred and represent spiritual enlightenment, spiritual awakening, and personal growth.
Sunflowers, hailing from Mexico and Peru, were used by the Aztecs in their temples of the Sun. Use sunflower in spells and rituals invoking the power of the Sun. The plant was known as the ‘fourth sister’ and planted by several Native American groups on the north edges of gardens, next to the other sisters: corn, beans, and squash. It brings the Sun’s warmth and energy to all preparations, making it useful against the creatures of the night and shadows.
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