It is an annual herb, with a rough, hairy stem, 3 to 12 feet high, broad, coarselytoothed, rough leaves, 3 to 12 inches long, and circular heads of flowers, 3 to 6 inches. The flower-heads are composed of many small tubular flowers arranged compactly on a flattish disk: those in the outer row have long strap-shaped corollas, forming the rays of the composite flower.

Diuretic, expectorant; febrifuge, stomachic and nutitive (flower heads and seeds)

Floridata
Alternative Field Crop Manual
Sunflower- An American Native.
Plants for a Future
Herb & Supplement Encyclopedia

1,8-Cineole, alpha-amyrin, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, beta-carotene, beta-pinene, borneol, caffeic acid, camphene, camphor, chlorogenic acid, choline, cinnamic acid, citral, citric acid, eugenol, ferulic acid, gossypol, hispidulin, isoliquiritigenin, limonene, lupeol, lutein, menthol, oleanolic acid, quercetin, scopoletin, tocopherol and vanillin.

Employed in the treatment of bronchial, laryngeal and pulmonary affections, coughs and colds, also in whooping cough. The crushed leaves are used as a poultice on sores, swellings, snakebites and spider bites. A tea made from the flowers is used in the treatment of malaria and lung ailments. A decoction of the roots has been used as a warm wash on rheumatic aches and pains.

Sunflower seeds, meal and oil, taken as a part of a well balanced diet, does not cause any side effects.

Sharma PV. Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants.