The efficacy and function of sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are very familiar to everyone. They have a long history and are very effective in regulating the body and treating diseases. They are a good choice for health preservation. Let’s take a look together.

[Other names] Tiankuizi (Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica), Tiankuizi (Illustrated Guide to Chinese Medicinal Plants).

[Source] The seeds of sunflower, a plant of the Asteraceae family .

[Original form] Sunflower (Illustrated Catalogue of Plant Names and Realities), also known as: Zhangju, Passionflower, Yanghua (Collection of Flowers), Yizhangju (Illustrated Catalogue of Plant Names and Realities), grass sunflower, sunflower, sunflower, sunflower, and sunflower.

[Habitat distribution] It is cultivated in all parts of my country.

[Chemical composition] The seeds contain about 50% fatty oil, 70% of which are linoleic acid, as well as phospholipids, β-sitosterol and other sterols. The total phospholipids have the effect of preventing lipidemia and hypercholesterolemia in rats. Sunflower oil, especially its linoleic acid portion, can inhibit the formation of experimental thrombi in rats, which is said to be due to increased synthesis of prostaglandin E and inhibition of platelet adhesion. The lipoprotein part of the seeds contains components that inhibit testis. When rats were fed with it as a protein source for 3 months, it caused testicular atrophy. Most of the sugars in the seed kernel (58%) are soluble monosaccharides, disaccharides and trisaccharides. It does not contain starch, but contains organic acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, caffeic acid and β-carotene. The seed shell mainly contains cellulose, lignin, pentosan, and also contains 5.17% oil (of which 2.96% is wax) and 4% protein. The seeds also contain calcium magnesium phytate and 3,4-benzopyrene.

[Pharmacological action] The total phospholipids part of the seeds has a preventive effect on acute hyperlipidemia and chronic hypercholesterolemia in animals, but the therapeutic effect is not significant. When healthy people on an empty stomach take crude sunflower oil orally, there is a brief increase in free fatty esters and cholesterol in their blood. However, after taking animal fat or egg yolk, blood cholesterol remains at a high level 5 hours later. For young women, using sunflower oil as cooking oil (for 7 days) can slightly lower blood cholesterol, but not as much as rice bran oil. If sunflower oil is added to the feed, it can enhance the immune response of rabbits (tuberculin test). If sunflower oil is heated to high temperature (110-300℃) and fed to rats, it can cause liver degeneration or enhance liver fibrosis in rabbits; it can also enhance the carcinogenic effect of certain carcinogens in rats. The dried whole herb decoction is steamed and then powdered to make an ointment, which can be applied topically to accelerate the healing of injuries.

【Functions and indications】 Treat bloody dysentery and pus in carbuncle.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 0.5 to 1 liang. For external use: mash and apply oil.

[Additional prescription] To treat bloody dysentery: one ounce of sunflower seeds. Boil water and simmer for one hour, then add rock sugar. (Fujian Folk Herbs)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From Wang Lianshi's "Book of Collecting Medicinal Herbs"

Regarding the sunflower seeds introduced in the article, I hope everyone can learn more about the relevant information in daily life, so that they can correctly treat the disease when facing it.