By Jason Levin

In the West, sunflowers have traditionally only been considered for their ornamental or nutritional value. However, further research and experimentation have uncovered a surprisingly wide range of potential applications. In truth, sunflowers have been harvested for a variety of reasons for thousands of years. It is widely believed that American Indians harvested sunflowers long before they harvested corn.

While those people from past generations could not have imagined the ways in which sunflowers would one day be used, they discovered their own uses for the plant. Their creativity and resourcefulness imply that they understood the plant's potential lay beyond purposes that were merely decorative or dietary. In this article, we'll provide a brief overview of how sunflowers are being used today.

Skin Care

The cosmetics industry has always gone to great lengths to promote a new crop of products. When sunflower oil was revealed to have a smoothing effect on the skin, manufacturers quickly explored how to include the oil in their formulations. Today, the oil that is extracted from sunflowers is used as a non-occlusive moisturizer for the face and body.

Consumption For Health

Sunflowers provide oil that contains a high level of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids, particularly omega-3's, offer a number of health benefits. They lower cholesterol and thereby, prevent heart disease. Plus, continuing research has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids can even lower blood pressure. Restaurants and food manufacturers have begun using sunflower oil to prepare foods, replacing other ingredients that contain much higher levels of unhealthy saturated fat.

Whether the seeds are eaten as a low-fat, high-protein snack, or the oil is used for cooking and baking, sunflowers continue to play a large role in our diets.

Industrial Uses

A lot of people would be surprised to learn that sunflowers are being used in various industrial and commercial settings. For example, scientists discovered several years ago that hydrogen could be produced from sunflower oil, offering a renewable energy source that was friendly to the environment. With the price of fuel escalating, the thought of using hydrogen powered engines (by way of sunflower oil) to propel our vehicles is tantalizing.

Other applications are either widely used or currently being explored. For example, using oils is necessary for the production of certain types of paints and plastics. However, oils that contain high levels of linolenic acid can affect the color of these compounds. Limited usage in production runs suggest that sunflower oil may be an alternative. Meanwhile, in countries where the price of sunflower oil is comparatively lower (i.e. countries throughout Eastern Europe), the oil has been used for years to produce soaps and various detergents.

Sunflowers are also used for coloring purposes. Once the seeds have been harvested and dehulled, they can be used to produce dyes. These dyes provide coloring for an assortment of products including textiles, baskets, and even bedding materials.

Looking For Answers

Scientists continue to explore different ways in which to leverage sunflowers' myriad industrial uses. They have tested the plant's efficacy in the production of lubricants and adhesives. They have experimented with them while creating fabric softeners and pesticides. Sunflowers were even used to help eliminate uranium from the soil following the Chernobyl disaster.

It is likely that researchers will uncover additional ways in which sunflowers can provide value to our lives. More than a nutritional snack, moisturizer, or source of essential fatty acids, sunflowers may become a powerful natural resource that outperforms alternatives at a lower price.

Order sunflowers online at the Sunflower Guy online store and deliver smiles to someone you care about.

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By John Yazo

Sunflowers like nothing better than the nutrient rich humus that can only be found in an organic garden. This type of natural organic fertile soil is what will have your plants thrive by producing a strong healthy plant with vibrant yellow flowers that will light up your yard and garden. Along with the beauty of these plants, they will create an environment to attract wildlife that will benefit you in a natural method of pest control and for you to enjoy the beauty of nature in your own yard.

There are many different varieties, sizes, color variations and shapes of sunflowers that you can choose from. They can be chosen for there beauty or to be harvested for bird feed and human consumption. Whichever variety you choose and for whatever purpose, you can be sure that they will be the highlight of your garden.

When choosing a variety it is best to make sure you choose one that produces a healthy strong stalk to support the flower size to withstand the threat of possible wind damage that could accrue. A plant that produces a good healthy strong stalk will prevent them for falling over, not only because of wind but also due to the weight that a large flower can have.

Sunflowers like full sunlight, a nutrient rich humus soil and also need to be planted where the flower is going to face east. They need to have between six to eight hours of direct sunlight to thrive and produce a large healthy flower. A soil that is full of organic rich nutrients is very important.

The root system of a sunflower will grow very quickly and require large amounts of nutrients at a steady basis. Without the proper maintenance of the soil a sunflower can deplete these nutrient needed for it to thrive a produce a strong healthy plant and flower. A weekly watering and feeding of a nutrient rich compost tea will keep the nutrients in the soil and improve the soil structure if your garden at the same time.

Sunflowers are a easy plant to grow with very little care. A good healthy organic nutrient rich soil is the key to growing sunflowers that will thrive and produce a vibrant flower that will brighten up your yard.

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

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By Gail Leino

Be sure to order your sunflower seeds while you can because when the heat of the summer gets here it’s going to be too late to start those sunflowers let alone find any seeds to plant in the ground. They’ll all ready be snatched up. Sunflowers are probably the best way to introduce your child to the idea of gardening. They are like big, yellow, giants that the kids can come outside everyday to measure and add the end of the summer they can save the heads of the sunflowers and dry them for the seeds. Sunflower seeds themselves are fun treats for the kids because you have to shell them in order to get at the seed meat inside. Kids also love that they are actually eating something fresh out of their own garden.

You can of course find all kinds of Sunflowers to put in your garden. There are dwarf sunflowers that only come up to your waist and the Sunflower Giants that grow up to eight feet tall! Imagine growing that in the yard! Your child will probably want the biggest, yellowest Sunflower that you can find, but be sure to keep in mind the space requirements when you make that purchase. The really tall Sunflower types tend to break in strong winds so you may need to place them in a wind sheltered area of the yard, but they are sunflowers so they will still need lots of light

Also the birds and other common animals love sunflower seeds, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for the creatures while you are growing them. Otherwise you may not have any seeds left at the end of the summer to harvest. Since this is a project for the kids make sure to take lots of photographs and keep some of the sunflower petals to put in a special keepsake album.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Huge selection of grower direct Flowers Delivered right to your door by local florists or by the flower grower.

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