oh, to be loved by a sunflower..

sunflowers have long been a symbol of positivity, good cheer, optimism, or joy. :-) in addition to their stately beauty, they also offer us encouragement …. “stand tall, and face the sun”, in addition to being the subject of so much poetry and art. sunflowers were first cultivated in 3,000 b.c.

that is only the beginning . when the flower fades it leaves behind a large, sometimes huge gift of seeds, which are an obvious favorite to many beautiful songbirds, squirrels and chipmunks. I wonder if they realize the level of nutrition they provide? sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that help support our immune system. they are high in calcium, thiamine, healthy fats, vitamin B6 and folacin, which can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. more than likely, the critters don’t give all that a thought… they love them because they’re tasty and delicious! ;-)

sunflower oil also hosts a myriad of healthy benefits including greater energy levels. specifically, it is high in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid the body can’t create on it’s own. it promotes overall heart health, aids in digestion, lowers cholesterol , fights asthma and inflammation as it has high levels of omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin e and tocepherol compounds which help rid the body of free~radicals.

topically, sunflower oil is highly regarded for it’s many healing properties… beta carotene is an antioxidant that will improve the appearance of skin and hair, protecting the skin from premature aging. beneficial for treating eczema. sunflower oil can improve oral health, reducing plaque related gingivitis in addition to preventing the bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. the anti~inflammatory properties in sunflower oil, make it a great cooking choice to help relieve arthritis.