Helianthus annuus

L.Compositae ,Common Sunflower

Names

Known as chimalati in Mexico, Marigold of Peru, Coronasolis, Sola Indianus,Chrysanthemum Peruvianum

History

The Common Sunflower is a native of Peru,introduced to Europe in the 16th c.It was revered by the Aztecs;priestesses wore crowns of Sunflowers, also carrying them in their hands

Grown for seed by Amerindians with maize (corn). Early belief had it that Sunflowers grown near the home protected the dwellers from Malaria.

The name Helianthus derives from the Greek helios (sun) and anthos (a flower).

During wartime, Sunflower cropping increases, the products of oil and seed becoming important. One bushel yields one gallon of oil. An average acre produces 50 bushels of viable seed.

Constituents

Unsaturated fixed oil (30%),albumin,lecithin,betaine,choline,plant:Potassium nitrate,Potassium carbonate,tannins;helianthitanic acid,a flavonic glycoside,quercimetrin.Inulin, Levulin, dextro-rotatory sugar,violet colouring matter.

Uses

cooking oil,trailmix,bread,coffeee sub,poultry feed;cattlefeed;sheepsfodder;soapmaking,candlemaking,wooldressing,pith used in life-saving appliances, moxa,

seeds:diuretic,expectorant,bronchial infection,laryngeal infection, pulmonary affection,coughs, colds, whooping cough.Tincture of Helianthus for Malarial fever;leaves in herb tobaccos.

Relief of Whooping Cough:

brown seeds in the oven and make into an infusion.

Relief of Malarial Fever

Leaves are spread upoin a bed covered with cloth and moistened with warm milk, then the patient is wrapped in it.

BRONCHIOECSTASIS

*chest medicine*;
Persistent and progressive dilation of bronchi or bronchioles as a consequence of inflammatory disease lung infections), obstruction (tumour) or abnormality (for example cystic fibrosis).
Symptoms include fetid breath and paroxysmal coughing, with the expectoration of mucopurulentmatter.
It may affect the bronchioles uniformly (cylindric bronchiectasis) or occur in irregular pockets (sacculated bronchiectasis) or the dilated bronchi may have terminal bulbous enlargements
(fusiform).Although rarely congenital, it is most often an acquired condition in childhood.

TINCTURE OF FLOWERS AND LEAVES IN COMBINATION WITH BALSAMICS.