The native land of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is Northern America. Apparently, for the first time the sunflower has been cultivated by tribes of North American Indians. There are archaeological evidences that sunflower was cultivated on territories of present states of Arizona and New Mexico approximately in 3000 year B.C. Some archaeologists believe that the sunflower has been cultivated even before the wheat.

To the Europe the sunflower was delivered by the Spanish conquerors of America approximately in 1500 year. Originally, the plant was used as decorative asset, and sometimes in medicine.

For the first time in Europe exactly English people have thought about production of oil from sunflower. There is the English patent from 1716 that describes this process. The basic usage of oily sunflower is receiving the sunflower oil from it, which then is used for cooking and for technical needs. Besides, from seeds of sunflower margarine is produced, as well as they are used as a raw material in paint and varnish production and in soap-producing industry.

Nucleous of sunflower is rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins and polysaturated fatty acids having high food and biological value.

Nucleous of sunflower seeds have high biological value. They contain proteins, carbohydrates (from which more than half - food fibres), amino acids, lipids, polynonsaturated fats, vitamins B, D, Е, РР, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Sunflower seeds help to normalise metabolism of fats, decrease the level of cholesterol in the organism, and warn oxidizing processes of polynonsaturated fat acids, detain development of the atherosclerosis, have anticancerogenic effect, and participate in protection of an organism against influence of radiation energy. Besides, they possess approximately the same curative properties as nuts, which strengthen integument and mucous membranes.

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