Sunflower Annual.

Annual sunflower: description, use and medicinal properties

Annual sunflower (lat. Helianthus annuus) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It can reach a height of up to 2.5 meters, has an erect, dense stem and large heart-shaped leaves located on long petioles. Sunflowers bloom in July-August; the flowers are yellow, terminal and collected in a large basket that turns towards the sun. The fruit ripens in August-September, and it is an oblong ovoid achene of striped or black color.

Sunflower is widespread in the Soviet Union, in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part, less often in Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, Transcaucasia and semi-desert regions of the Southeast. It is a field oilseed crop that requires intense sunlight, moisture and nutrients in the soil. In favorable conditions, sunflower develops powerful roots, thick stems, large leaves and produces a good seed yield.

Sunflower seeds are used to produce vegetable oil, which is widely used in the food and cosmetic industries. The stems, leaves and immature heads serve as good feed for cattle. In England, young sunflower heads are used to make salads.

In addition, sunflower has medicinal properties. Flowers, leaves and mature achenes are used as medicinal raw materials. The leaves contain carotene, resinous substances, flavonoids and organic acids, and the flowers contain flavone glycoside, anthocyanins, choline, betaine, bitterness, phenolcarboxylic acids and alcohols. The seeds contain fatty oil, protein, carbohydrates, phytin, tannins, carotenoids, phospholipids, citric and tartaric acids, and some enzymes are found in the seed coats. The fatty oil contains glycerides of oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, arquinic and lignoceric acids.

Preparations made from sunflower relax the smooth muscles of internal organs, lower body temperature and stimulate appetite. A decoction of sunflower leaves is used for disorders of the digestive system, liver and gallbladder diseases, hypertension, bronchitis and cough. Flower infusion is used to treat flu, colds, sore throat, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. Sunflower seeds are used as a general tonic and antipyretic, as well as for diseases of the intestines and bladder.

However, when using sunflower for medicinal purposes, it should be taken into account that it can cause allergic reactions, so you should consult your doctor before use. It is also not recommended to consume large doses of sunflower, as this can lead to digestive disorders and other undesirable consequences.

Overall, annual sunflower is an important plant that has wide applications in various fields. Its medicinal properties may be useful in treating some diseases, but caution must be exercised not to consume it in large quantities without consulting a doctor.