MEDICINAL PLANTS

It is a herbaceous plant with large scale, which can reach two meters in height and has a life of one year, during which grows, blossoms and bears seeds germinate the following year. For optimal development requires a large number of hours of sunshine and high humidity. It has triangular shaped leaves, rough to the touch. The fruit-popularly called "pipes", which form large, about two inches long and white, gray or black, depending on the variety concerned.

FLOWERING

Flowering occurs in summer months. This plant owes its peculiar name from the fact that moves its large inflorescence following the solar motion, so that at dawn the orientation toward the east and continues to turn as the day progresses, to be oriented toward the west, thus the rays incident normally on it. The heads are very large, which at times makes the stem bend by its own weight around a ligules are yellow elongated. Harvesting takes place when the seeds are ripe.

APPLICATIONS

It contains high amounts of linoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic and other unsaturated fatty acids, so that the seeds are used in diets used in individuals with high blood cholesterol, since it is proven that routinely administered is achieved a considerable reduction in the level of it. Also, the seeds have lecithin and caffeic acid, which gives some nutritional value. The flowers and leaves have some minerals like calcium and phosphorus, along with other products, why they are used as antipyretics, anticatarrhal ...

ADMINISTRATION

Sunflower oil. Regular employment food is highly recommended by the characteristics already mentioned as the cost is significantly lower than compared to other oils of similar characteristics, such as olive, although we must avoid excessive overheating of the recycling and so do not form harmful substances which can also taste.
Tincture of sunflower. Flowering tops are used, which intersect at the time, also be included, sliced, juicy areas of stem-but has no flowers, which are usually located at the top of the plant. Are selected equally flowery tops and stems until completing 100 grams, was added 900 milliliters of alcohol, letting it marinate for at least a week, and then proceed to a leak can take 50 drops of this liquid in the two main meals, with a little water. This preparation can be used as antipyretic.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Composite tubulifloras
HABITAT: Orchards
FLOWERING: Summer
PART USED: Flowering tops and seeds
CASTILIAN: Flor del sol
CATALAN: Mira-sol
BASQUE: Ekhilili

USES

Hypolipidemic Moderate, Antipyretic Moderate, Nutritional Leve.