The sunflower is one of only four major crops of global importance native to the United States (blueberry, cranberry, and pecan are the other three).

Native Americans in the U.S. have been using wild sunflower for food and medicine for at least 8,000 years. Archeological evidence suggests that Native Americans began cultivating and improving the sunflower as early as 2300 B.C. Thus, sunflower cultivation may predate cultivation of the “Three Sisters” of corn, beans and squash.

 The seeds of sunflower were usually roasted and ground into a fine meal for baking or used to thicken soups and stews. “Seed-balls”, similar to peanut butter, made from sunflower butter made a convenient carry-along food for traveling. Roasted sunflower hulls were steeped in boiling water to make a coffee-like beverage. Dye was extracted from hulls and petals. Face paint was made from dried petals and pollen. Oil, extracted from the ground seeds by boiling, provided many tribes with cooking oil and hair treatment. Medicinal uses included everything from wart removal to snake bite treatment to sunstroke treatment.

When the colonists and explorers sent seed from the New World back to Europe, the sunflower was treated mainly as a curiosity and a garden flower. It was not used as an edible crop again until it reached Russia.

In Russia, the Holy Orthodox Church forbade the use of many foods, including many rich in oil, during Lent and Advent. The Russians eagerly accepted the sunflower as an oil source that could be eaten without breaking the laws of the church. Russians also enjoyed sunflowers as a snack food. In the past 50 years, Russians have bred sunflowers for high oil content and improved disease resistance.

The ‘Mammoth Russian’ has been offered by seed companies for at least 120 years. It is known by many names such as ‘Russian Giant’, ‘Tall Russian’, ‘Russian Greystripe’, or simply ‘Mammoth’. An ornamental variety that has survived is Helianthus debilis ‘Italian White’. The sunflower gets its name from the Greek words helios meaning sun and anthos meaning flower. There are some 67 species within the Helianthus genus. Most oilseed and ornamental sunflowers are Helianthus annuus.

Sunflowers are easy to grow if they have direct sun. Well-prepared, fertile soil will yield large flower heads and the meatiest seeds. Young seedlings can withstand light frosts so seeds can be planted before May 1st. Tall growing varieties should be thinned to stand 2 to 2 ½ feet apart in the garden and staked to help support the seedhead under windy conditions. There are wide assortments of old and new sunflower varieties available, surely one or more will find a way into your garden?

And Here are some Magickal uses for the Sunflower:

Old  wives  tales state to  protect against smallpox, one should wear sunflower seeds around one’s neck, either in a bag or strung like beads. If one cuts a sunflower at sunset their wish will come true. Sleeping with a sunflower under one’s bed will allow one to know the truth in any matter.
  Used traditionally in magick for Fertility, wishes, health, and wisdom, and is attuned to the Sun, and the element of fire.

• Sunflower is also a wonderful plant for reflection similar to marjoram, it is a classic plant that brings back memories of childhood and things that are lost, it can help to reclaim those emotions, and just gazing into their wonderful yellow and black bloom is enough for one to find a sort of fulfillment they may have lost a long time ago.
   
• This plant would be good to be planted for one who is about to leave on a journey for life, the person leaving should gaze into the live blooms, and watch them through the season writing down whatever may come to mind about the beauty of such plants. It can help in that respect to get rid of depression

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