A to Z Herbarium: Sunflower

Herbs-Pablo

Sunflower

Fertility, Wishes, Health, Wisdom

Sunflower

Women wishing to conceive should apparently eat sunflower seeds. A necklace made out of the seeds will protect against smallpox.

If you cut a sunflower at sunset while making a wish, then the wish is supposed to come true before the following sunset. This apparently will only work within reason—so no wishing for 5 million puppies or anything like that.

If you sleep with a sunflower under the bed, then you will be able to see the truth in a matter. To become virtuous, anoint yourself with juice pressed from sunflower stems. (Seems like cheating…)

Growing sunflowers in the garden will ward away pests and bring good luck to the gardener.

Interestingly, sunflower seeds are a good source of folate, which helps in the production of new cells. This is important in pregnancies for the growth and development of the fetus. So perhaps this is where the lore of women trying to conceive eating sunflower seeds comes from.

The seeds also have a high amount of vitamin E, which helps in reducing inflammation throughout the body, which can, in turn, lead to improved cardiovascular health. Sunflower oil is also anti-inflammatory which is beneficial for certain skin ailments. It also promotes strong, healthy skin.

Sunflower seeds can be ground into a butter that can be used as a substitute for peanut butter for people with nut allergies. Or to eat just because it’s tasty.

 

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encylopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham, 2016, Llewellyn Publications

Dr. Axe

Dermatology Times

Organic Facts

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below

Sophie Duncan - 6 years ago

I have never tried sunflower seed butter, but it sounds like it might be nice 🙂
Sophie
Sophie’s Thoughts & Fumbles – Dragon Diaries

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    It’s really yummy. It’s my second favorite, right after almond butter. 🙂

    Reply
Deborah Weber - 6 years ago

What a wonderful array of goodness via sunflowers. I’ve always loved them because they attract a host of goldfinch at summer’s end – all that yellow gold brightening the world.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They are lovely, but I must admit I find them slightly intimidating. They get REAL big! 😀

    Reply
Nick Wilford - 6 years ago

Highly versatile, those sunflowers. You shouldn’t have conditions on wishes, though – where’s the fun in that!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I know, right? They’re wishes! Who wants to be reasonable? 😉

    Reply
Djinnia - 6 years ago

I love sunflowers. They grow really well here. I thunk they are a happy plant. I am amazed of the benefits of their seeds and oil. Moms can’t complain too much about munching on them now. Of course unsalted is better. I prefer mine already shelled. I hate spitting out mess.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Once upon a time, I used to eat sunflower shells along with the seeds so I wouldn’t have to spit them out.

    Don’t judge me. 😛

    Reply
Hilary Melton-Butcher - 6 years ago

Hi Sara – interesting facts about the sunflower – it’s not often we get conceiving and smallpox in the same paragraph! I’m sure sunflower seeds have wonderful properties for us… sunflower butter sounds good – cheers Hilary

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/s-for-sheep.html

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Haha, I’m glad I managed to bring that unlikely combination together. 😉

    Reply
Molly of Molly's Canopy - 6 years ago

When I visit upstate New York, I am always happy the year the farmers plant sunflowers instead of corn. There is even a sunflower maze! Such amazing flowers. Thanks for the historic detail.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Ooh, a sunflower maze sounds fun! 😀 Thanks for stopping by!

    Reply
susan scott - 6 years ago

the sunflower makes me smile! How can it not? I love sunflower seeds as as a snack sometimes ..

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Yes, one must definitely smile around sunny sunflowers! 😀

    Reply
Shari - 6 years ago

I love sunflowers! We plant them every year in our garden and I can remember my grandparents planting them every year in theirs. I didn’t know all those interesting qualities about the sunflower though, thank you for sharing.

Stopping by from A to Z: S for Strange Games
Shari

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I love that you’ve carried on the sunflower tradition! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

    Reply
lorigg - 6 years ago

Sunflower seeds and sunflower butter on toast are two snacks I enjoy. I also make sure I have at least one sunflower in my garden each year because the big yellow flower is like a big smile to everyone who passes by. Plus the sunflowers bring birds to sing in my garden. Thank you for sharing the science and the lore behind sunflowers.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Your garden sounds lovely. 🙂 I also enjoy the seeds and sunflower butter!

    Reply
Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine - 6 years ago

It won’t grant a wish for 5 millinon puppies? AWWWWW. *Dreams shattered* 😉

~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Not from sunflowers at any rate. Maybe dandelions will make it happen. 😉

    Reply
Sage - 6 years ago

I’ve eaten my share of sunflower seeds and according to this, should continue eating them.

http://sagecoveredhills.blogspot.com/2017/04/s-is-for-summer-constellations-scorpius.html

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They are good and good for you! 🙂

    Reply
JazzFeathers - 6 years ago

Sunflowers are awesome flawers. I love their colours and I love that they want to face the sun.
I also like their seeds very much, though I’v enever tried the butter.

@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    The butter is delicious. Tastes like the seeds, only a bit more intense. 🙂

    Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Me too! 😀

    Reply
Arti - 6 years ago

I love sunflowers and sunflower seeds.
This year, I had a whole bunch of them growing in my garden. Maybe, that’s why the tomatoes and chillies and spinach did so well. Lucky me:)
T is for Tavaa Toast

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Must be indeed. 😀

    Reply
Morgan - 6 years ago

I need to get my sunflowers growing! I mean, I do live in Kansas and all.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    It’s your duty to grow sunflowers! 😉

    Reply
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