Wendy's Healing Compendium 88.22: The Sky-High Show-Off

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is that absolute unit of a plant that's been turning heads since Native Americans first domesticated its wild ass thousands of years ago. This towering beast has gone from humble prairie plant to worldwide superstar, showing up in everything from fancy oil to birdseed. Indigenous peoples weren't messing around when they figured out this plant could handle everything from food to medicine to industrial uses. What makes this plant extra badass is how it can clean up toxic soil while looking fabulous - it's been used to help clean up everything from nuclear waste to lead contamination. While other plants are staying close to the ground, this overachiever's out there reaching for the sky and following the sun like it's got something to prove.

Description

Sunflower shows up to the garden party with a stem thicker than your arm and leaves big enough to use as fans. The flower heads are straight-up showing off, sometimes getting bigger than your face and packed with enough seeds to feed half the neighborhood birds. Those stems can shoot up to 12 feet or more like they're trying to have a conversation with low-flying aircraft. The whole plant tracks the sun across the sky until the heavy flower head makes it settle facing east like it's permanently watching the sunrise.

Cultivation

Growing this giant isn't rocket science - it's more like growing a tree in fast forward. This plant will grow in almost any soil but rewards good fertility with heads bigger than dinner plates. Full sun is non-negotiable - don't even think about trying to grow it in shade. Plant after frost danger's past and stand back because these suckers can grow 6 inches a day when they're feeling motivated. Space them out unless you want them fighting for sun like siblings over the TV remote.

Medicinal Uses

Respiratory Support

The seeds have compounds that help your lungs chill out when they're being dramatic. Traditional healers used various parts for chest complaints.

Skin Health

The oil can tell skin inflammation to take a hike. It's particularly good at helping with dry, angry skin that needs some serious TLC.

Wound Healing

When your skin needs patching up, sunflower oil creates a barrier that helps keep things clean while promoting healing.

How to Use