Top 10 Healing Effects of Sunflowers

Not just for beautifying the scenery or as a food source, these flowers are known for their highly effective healing properties. In traditional Chinese medicine, sunflowers are sweet-tasting and have a balanced nature. They act to nourish vital energy, calm the mind, treat diarrhea, and clear vision. They are used to alleviate mental stress, nervous weakness, loss of appetite, headaches due to weakness, bloody diarrhea, and non-eruptive measles.

Especially noteworthy is the sunflower's ability to treat rooster cough. In Vietnam, sunflowers are rarely grown for seeds due to unfavorable weather conditions, so the seeds are often used as animal feed or in traditional medicine.

Women experiencing hormonal changes or individuals with excessive heat often suffer from internal heat. Those with acne, mouth ulcers, and discomfort due to inner heat can benefit from sunflower blossoms. Roast and grind sunflower blossoms into a fine powder, take 3g each time, three times a day.

Treating dribbling urine caused by internal heat: Use fresh sunflower stem roots 30g, steep in water for drinking. Note: Boil for only a few minutes; boiling too long may reduce effectiveness. Consume continuously for several days.

Sunflower blossom is a remedy for those with high blood pressure, low blood pressure, and individuals prone to headaches as instructed by the traditional medicine practitioner Pham Nhu Ta.

For high blood pressure:

• Use 100g of fresh sunflower leaves, 100g of fresh earthworm tattler, brew and extract the liquid for consumption.
• Use 50g of sunflower blossoms and 30g of dried sage, brew and extract the liquid for consumption.
• Use 50g of sunflower blossoms, 30g of dried bumblebee beard, boil with a little rock sugar to extract the liquid for consumption.
• Consume peeled sunflower seeds and drink 1 cup of celery juice every day.
• Take 15g of honeysuckle flowers, 15g of chrysanthemum flowers, 10g of chamomile, and 10g of elderflower, brew and drink throughout the day as a tea substitute.

For low blood pressure:

• Normal individuals consume 10-12g of salt per day; those with high blood pressure should consume less than 6g of salt per day; and individuals with low blood pressure should consume more than 12g of salt per day.
• Consume beverages that increase blood pressure, such as: Coffee (should drink 1-2 cups of strong coffee per day, but excessive coffee consumption can cause sleep disturbances and heart rhythm disorders); drink concentrated tea.

Boosting heart health: Consuming sunflower seeds is also beneficial for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Betaine in sunflower seeds helps limit the production of homocysteine - a sulfuric amino acid responsible for issues such as venous or arterial thrombosis, coronary artery disease, and more...

Sunflower seeds also contain arginine - an essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in strengthening the body's blood vessels and arteries.

Individuals with nearsightedness benefit from oil extracted from sunflower seeds, known for its effectiveness in improving eyesight and reducing myopia. For the elderly experiencing nocturnal urination or urinary retention, the core or root of the sunflower plant can be steeped to make a fast-acting solution.

Omega-6 helps protect the eyes and cells from degeneration. Since sunflower seed oil is rich in Omega-6, it is highly beneficial for individuals facing visual challenges.

Ringing ears refers to unwanted sounds originating from the auditory system or nearby organs, often inaudible to others. Most cases involve simple tones, but complex noises like ocean waves, cicadas, ringing bells, or rushing water can occur.

Ringing ears commonly affect individuals with low blood pressure, elderly people experiencing sudden standing, postpartum women, and those with vestibular disorders. Prolonged cases can lead to hearing difficulties and severe hearing impairment. A simple remedy involves using sunflower seed husks, 15g steeped in water for daily tea replacement.

You might not know, but sunflower seeds contain many anti-spasmodic minerals such as zinc, magnesium, along with vitamin B6. Therefore, they are considered a type of snack that effectively reduces menstrual cramps. Add sunflower seeds to your list of snacks during those monthly days of discomfort!

In Western herbal medicine, the manual of Traditional Chinese Medicine records: Use 30 - 60g of sunflower seeds, steep in water, mix with red sugar to drink throughout the day when women experience lower abdominal pain. It helps promote blood circulation, reduce pain, and keeps the skin rosy.

When you experience symptoms like: Aching, throbbing, fatigue in the lower back and waist, intense cramping pain, difficulty urinating, discolored urine with possible blood, and nausea. In the ancient book 'To Y Trung Thao' of traditional Chinese medicine, it is written: Use the core of the stem of the sunflower tree, about 1 meter in length, cut it short, brew the water and drink 1 cup daily, continuously for a week.

Magnesium is abundant in green fruits, brown rice, wheat, cashews, almonds, peanuts, and sunflower seeds, making it an excellent remedy for kidney stones and uric acid stones.

Nowadays, the number of people suffering from this disease is increasing rapidly due to the fast-paced modern lifestyle, where we often consume fast food, lack time for proper meals, or indulge in hot foods, which are all contributing factors to gastric ulcers. Innovate a dish using sunflower, not only introducing a new and delicious dish but also an incredibly effective remedy. Use a tray of sunflower seeds prepared with pork, add pepper to enhance the flavor of the soup.

In addition to treating gastric ulcers, sunflower also treats some related diseases:

• Gastric and intestinal ulcers: Sunflower root 15g, Tieu Hoi Huong 9g, brew and drink. Or sunflower flower heads 60g, brew and drink or simmer with pork stomach 1 piece for soup. Or sunflower root dried, ground into powder, take 2 times a day, each time 6g.
• Gastric bleeding: Sunflower flower heads 1 piece, brew and drink.
• Stomach cancer: Core of sunflower flower stem 4 - 6g, brew or infuse for daily tea.

Note: Pregnant women should not use medications derived from the sunflower tree as it may cause miscarriage.

Toothache is a common problem in young children, heavy alcohol consumers, frequent teeth whiteners, those with lost tooth enamel, or those with a sweet tooth. Bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugar into acid, which dissolves the enamel and dentin in saliva, forming cavities.

There are 2 ways to alleviate this condition:

• Method 1: Use sunflower heads, sun-dry or oven-dry them, stuff them into cigarette or pipe tobacco, smoke like regular cigarettes or tobacco pipes (folk remedy, choose a border).
• Method 2: Use a tray of sunflower seeds, Cau Ky Tu roots; each 10 - 15g, boil with chicken eggs, eat chicken eggs, and drink the medicinal water.