Sunflower

Latin name: Helianthus annus

Sanskrit/Indian name:  Adityabhakta

General information:

Sunflowers, which are revered for their nutritious seeds, are cultivated annually all over India. The essential oil extracted from Sunflower seeds is rich in minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. The oil is a cardioprotective, which promotes heart health. The oil is typically used in Indian cuisine.

Therapeutic constituents:

Sunflower oil contains vitamin E, phenolic acid, arginine, betaine and lignans, which are cardioprotective agents.

Key therapeutic benefits:

• Lignans, active therapeutic constituents present in Sunflower, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

• Sunflowers also contain vitamin E, which prevents cardiovascular diseases.