Helianthus annuus

Related Terms

Abbad el shams (Arabic - Egypt), almindelig solsikke (Danish), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), auringon ruusu (Finnish), auringonkukka (Finnish), ay?i?egi (Turkish), Corona-solis, engelse zonnebloem (Dutch), floarea soarelui (Romanian), gemeine Sonnenblume (German), gew?hnliche Sonnenblume (German), girasol (Spanish), girasole commune (Italian), girassol (Portuguese), hae ba ra gi (Korean), harilik p?evalill (Estonian), h?lianthe annuel (French), Helianthi annui oleum, Helianthus annuus, Helianthus annuus L., Helianthus annuus L. ssp. jaegeri (Heiser) Heiser, Helianthus annuus L. ssp. lenticularis (Douglas ex Lindl.) Cockerell, Helianthus annuus L. ssp. texanus Heiser, Helianthus annuus L. var. lenticularis (Douglas ex Lindl.) Steyerm., Helianthus annuus L. var. texanus (Heiser) Shinners, Helianthus aridus Rydb., Helianthus lenticularis Douglas ex Lindl., high-palmitic sunflower oil, himawari (Japanese), il?anthos (Greek), isoauringonkukka (Finnish), koujitsuki (Japanese), linoleic acid, marigold of Peru, mirasol (Filipino), n-6-polyunsaturated fatty acids, napraforg? (Hungarian), navadna soncnica (Slovene), NuSun?, oleic acid rich sunflower oil, Oleozon?, ozonized sunflower oil, podsolnechnik (Russian), podsolnechnik maslichnyi (Russian), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), slonecznik (Polish), slonecznik roczny (Polish), slonecznik zwyczajny (Polish), slunecnice rocn? (Czech), Sola Indianus, solros (Swedish), solsikke (Norwegian, Danish), solvendel (Norwegian), Sonnenblume (German), sp?ri ili?nthu (Greek), sunflower oil esters of plant sterols, sunflower oil triglyceride emulsion, sunflower seed oil, suraj mukhi (Hindi), tournesol (French), xiang ri ku (Chinese), zonnebloem (Dutch).

Background

Sunflower oil is derived from the seed of the sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus). Sunflower has been cultivated by Native Americans for centuries. They used the plant for dietary, medicinal, and decorative purposes.
Sunflower oil has been used historically as a topical anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, and it is taken by mouth to relieve constipation and ulcers and to treat infection. Recent evidence of high vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in sunflower oil has supported its possible role in reducing inflammation. In recent decades, sunflower oil has been recognized as a low-cholesterol cooking oil with a healthier fatty acid profile than many alternatives.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Clinical research indicates that the ozonized sunflower oil product Oleozon? is as effective as ketoconazole, an established therapy, for the treatment of tinea pedis. Further research is needed before a stronger conclusion can be made.

 B


Clinical research indicates that the ozonized sunflower oil product Oleozon? is as effective as ketoconazole, an established therapy, for the treatment of tinea pedis. Further research is needed before a stronger conclusion can be made.

 B


Limited research shows that sunflower oil reduced levels of fibrinogen and one of its breakdown products in patients with high blood levels of fibrinogen. Additional research is required before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research shows that sunflower oil reduced levels of fibrinogen and one of its breakdown products in patients with high blood levels of fibrinogen. Additional research is required before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil may not affect the levels of two markers of inflammation in breast milk, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Further clinical research is required before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil may not affect the levels of two markers of inflammation in breast milk, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Further clinical research is required before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil, which contains a high level of unsaturated fat, may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease risk factors, including blood cholesterol levels. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil, which contains a high level of unsaturated fat, may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease risk factors, including blood cholesterol levels. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Research suggests that sunflower oil may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Further research with large-scale, well-designed trials is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Research suggests that sunflower oil may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Further research with large-scale, well-designed trials is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil may improve glucose control and lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil may improve glucose control and lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil may help reduce blood levels of cholesterol. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil may help reduce blood levels of cholesterol. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that fats found in sunflower oil may not have an effect on the stability of atherosclerotic plaques (hardening of the arteries). Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 D


Limited research suggests that fats found in sunflower oil may not have an effect on the stability of atherosclerotic plaques (hardening of the arteries). Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 D


Research suggests that sunflower oil may not have an effect on blood pressure in patients diagnosed with high blood pressure. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.

 D


Research suggests that sunflower oil may not have an effect on blood pressure in patients diagnosed with high blood pressure. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.

 D


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil may have some effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 D


Limited research suggests that sunflower oil may have some effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 D


At this time, it appears that sunflower oil may not increase the level of vitamin A in blood or breast milk of pregnant or breastfeeding women.

 D


At this time, it appears that sunflower oil may not increase the level of vitamin A in blood or breast milk of pregnant or breastfeeding women.

 D
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Sunflower oil is often used as a placebo in clinical trials examining the effect of other oils.
For tinea pedis (athlete's foot), Oleozon?, a commercially available ozonized sunflower oil, has been applied to the affected area twice daily for six weeks.
For blood clotting disorders, 25 grams of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for four weeks.
For breast inflammation, a dose of 12 grams of oil has been taken by mouth daily during the third trimester of pregnancy and for three months postpartum.
For cardiovascular risk reduction, 15 grams of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks. A diet consisting of 20.3% monounsaturated fat (MUFA), rich in high oleic acid sunflower oil, has been used for five weeks. Six grams of sunflower oil has been used by mouth daily for 12 weeks.
For chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease, 30 milliliters of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth twice daily for three weeks.
For diabetes mellitus type 2, a dose of 30 milliliters of sunflower oil by has been taken mouth daily for two weeks.
For high cholesterol, a diet containing 30% fat in the form of NuSun?, commercially available mid-oleic acid sunflower oil, has been taken by mouth for four weeks. Replacement of 21.4 grams of olive oil with sunflower oil margarine by mouth has been used for four weeks. A dose of 45 grams of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks. A dose of 1.0-1.8 grams of plant sterols esterified to fatty acids from sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for 29 days.
For atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), six capsules, each containing one gram of sunflower oil, have been taken by mouth prior to surgery to clean out a clogged artery.
For high blood pressure, a dose of 30-40 grams of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for one year. Sixty grams of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for four weeks.
For obesity (excess body fat mass), a dose of three grams of high-oleic acid sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for 18 weeks.
For peripheral vascular disease, a dose of 7.57 grams of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth in a milk mixture twice daily for four months.
For ulcerative colitis, a dose of 500 milligrams of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for 12 months. Fifteen milliliters has been taken by mouth daily for six months.
For vitamin A deficiency, a dose of 12 grams of sunflower oil has been taken by mouth daily for six months.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Sunflower oil may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Sunflower oil may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Sunflower oil may also interact with agents that affect the immune system, cholesterol-lowering agents, drugs used for blood disorders, or weight loss agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Aguilera CM, Mesa MD, Ramirez-Tortosa MC, et al. Sunflower oil does not protect against LDL oxidation as virgin olive oil does in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Clin Nutr 2004;23(4):673-681.
Binkoski AE, Kris-Etherton PM, Wilson TA, et al. Balance of unsaturated fatty acids is important to a cholesterol-lowering diet: comparison of mid-oleic sunflower oil and olive oil on cardiovascular disease risk factors. J Am Diet Assoc 2005;105(7):1080-1086.
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Demonty I, Chan YM, Pelled D, et al. Fish-oil esters of plant sterols improve the lipid profile of dyslipidemic subjects more than do fish-oil or sunflower oil esters of plant sterols. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84(6):1534-1542.
Elmadfa I, Park E. Impact of diets with corn oil or olive/sunflower oils on DNA damage in healthy young men. Eur J Nutr 1999;38(6):286-292.
Ferrara LA, Raimondi AS, d'Episcopo L, et al. Olive oil and reduced need for antihypertensive medications. Arch Intern Med 2000;160(6):837-842.
Filteau SM, Lietz G, Mulokozi G, et al. Milk cytokines and subclinical breast inflammation in Tanzanian women: effects of dietary red palm oil or sunflower oil supplementation. Immunology 1999;97(4):595-600.
Higdon JV, Liu JJ, Du SH, et al. Supplementation of postmenopausal women with fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid is not associated with greater in vivo lipid peroxidation compared with oils rich in oleate and linoleate as assessed by plasma malondialdehyde and F(2)-isoprostanes. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72(3):714-722.
Hill AM, Buckley JD, Murphy KJ, et al. Combining fish-oil supplements with regular aerobic exercise improves body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85(5):1267-1274.
Kuriyan R, Gopinath N, Vaz M, et al. Use of rice bran oil in patients with hyperlipidaemia. Natl Med J India 2005;18(6):292-296.
Madigan C, Ryan M, Owens D, et al. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: higher levels of postprandial lipoprotein on a linoleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet compared with an oleic acid-rich olive oil diet. Diabetes Care 2000;23(10):1472-1477.
Perona JS, Canizares J, Montero E, et al. Virgin olive oil reduces blood pressure in hypertensive elderly subjects. Clin Nutr 2004;23(5):1113-1121.
Yago MD, Gonzalez V, Serrano P, et al. Effect of the type of dietary fat on biliary lipid composition and bile lithogenicity in humans with cholesterol gallstone disease. Nutrition 2005;21(3):339-347.