Welcome!
As we launch our new website, we’ve invited another trusted partner to help represent One Touch Wellness: The Sunflower. Because we are a multi-disciplinary company, it is only fitting that we chose one of the most practical and diverse flowers ever cultivated. The Sunflower was originally harvested by the Native Americans, well before they harvested corn, beans or squash. Necessity, creativity and resourcefulness have lead to the many uses of this beautifully expressive flower that can’t help but make one smile.
The Sunflower, which is both an attractive flower and a nutritious vegetable, has many uses including skin care, health consumption, industrial energy and more. It is a leading cash crop in North America, but cultivated throughout the world. No matter where they are grown, Sunflowers always point their blooms or face to the rising sun in the East, something that would be of benefit to all of us.
Sunflowers and Skin Care
Sunflower oil has an emollient effect on the skin and is used in many popular skin care formulations today. This non-occlusive and edible moisturizer is one of the oils used in our Infant Massage Instruction, but may also be infused into the face and body care ritual of any infant, child, or adult.
Sunflowers and Health Consumption
The oil extracted from the Sunflower contains a high level of essential fatty acids, including Omega 3’s, which offer a number of health benefits. They lower cholesterol and blood pressure, thereby, decreasing the risk for heart disease and strokes. Because of these health benefits, its neutral taste, its light color, and its ability to withstand high cooking temperatures, restaurants and food manufacturers have begun using sunflower oil to prepare foods, replacing other ingredients that contain much higher levels of unhealthy saturated fat. We can do the same in our own kitchens. Sunflower seeds are a low-fat, high-protein snack and can be eaten by the handful, used as a dish topping, or included in a myriad of recipes.
Sunflowers as Sustainable Energy
One may be surprised to learn that sunflowers are being used in various industrial and commercial settings. Several years ago, scientists discovered that hydrogen could be produced from sunflower oil, offering a renewable energy source that was friendly to the environment. It burns 75% cleaner than petroleum based diesel. It is highly lubricating, reducing wear and tear on engine parts. The by-product of this biodesel is glycerin, which can be used in the manufacture of soap or hundreds of other products. With the price of fuel escalating, the thought of using hydrogen powered engines- by way of sunflower oil- to propel our vehicles is delicious.
Sunflowers and the Environment
One of the most beneficial uses of sunflowers is in the removal of toxic waste from the environment. Utilizing an emerging technology called rhizofiltration, hydroponically grown plants are grown floating over water. Possessing extensive root systems, they are able to reach deep into sources of polluted water and extract large amounts of toxic metals, including uranium. Such a process has been utilized in the former Soviet Union to decontaminate water polluted as a result of the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The roots of floating rafts of sunflowers were able to extract 95% of the
radioactivity in the water caused by that accident.
Industrial Usage
Oil 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 suggests that sunflower oil may be an alternative. The United States is currently exploring its usage in lubricants, adhesives, soaps, detergents and fabric softeners. Yummy!
What This Means to Us
Sunflowers are beautiful, practical, hard-working and diverse. Sunflowers are easy to grow and resistant to many diseases. The Sunflower has traditionally been known to symbolize hope, loyalty, happiness and God’s love. Our hope is that you see similar qualities in every service and consultation that you receive from One Touch Wellness. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.
Stay In Touch,
Jada