- 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.