What are the ingredients in black seed oil?
Black Seed Oil contains thymoquinone, an antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory compound. Extracted from the seeds of black cumin, it has been used to treat illnesses for more than 2000 years.
What are the benefits of black pepper oil?
Black Pepper Essential Oil Health Benefits
- Improves Digestion. ...
- Relieves Spasms. ...
- Eliminates Excess Gas. ...
- Cleans Excretory System. ...
- Reduces Arthritis Pain. ...
- Increases Urination. ...
- Detoxifies Body. ...
- Treats Bacterial Infections. ...
How to grow my own black oil sunflower seeds?
Steps for growing sunflowers
- Buy seeds at the local garden center or nursery. If you want to plant more than just black oil, get ones known for producing an abundance of seeds. ...
- Plant them in the spring, after the last frost, in a sunny location. ...
- Water them as needed — once a day for the first week or two, then once a week thereafter. ...
- They flower in 60 or so days. ...
What are some examples of black seeds?
When it comes to keeping the stories of seeds, Mitchell uses rice as an example. While Asian rice is most ubiquitous in the United States now, she said West African rice—which was grown and domesticated for generations—was the first to be introduced to the Americas.
See more
What can you do with black sunflower seeds?
Sunflower seeds can also be sprinkled directly on the ground for ground-feeding birds, and dried sunflower heads can be purchased for birds to pluck the seeds directly from a "natural" feeder. Black oil sunflower seeds can be fed as whole seeds and birds will crack the hulls to get at the nutritious meat.
What is the difference between sunflower seeds and black oil sunflower seeds?
The black oil seeds (“oilers”) have very thin shells, easy for virtually all seed-eating birds to crack open, and the kernels within have a high fat content, extremely valuable for most winter birds. Striped sunflower seeds have a thicker shell, much harder for House Sparrows and blackbirds to crack open.
What is black oil sunflower used for?
Black Oil Sunflower is an open-pollinated sunflower variety that is primarily used for sunflower seed or sunflower oil production. It can also be very effective when used as a warm-season cover crop. These are really easy to grow on any scale, whether it be a raised bed or a few acres.
Are black sunflower seeds good for humans?
Black oil sunflower seeds are some of the most beneficial sunflower microgreens. Not only are they one of the cheapest sprouts available, but they also hold an impressive nutritional value. High in calcium, potassium, and essential vitamins, these organic sprouts are chock-full of microgreens health benefits.
Do all birds eat black oil sunflower seeds?
While birds will devour all three, black oil sunflower seeds are the best buy. They are smaller than gray and striped sunflower seeds, contain the highest percentage of oil (40 percent) and have the thinnest hulls. Ideally, 75 percent of the seeds offered to birds at your feeders should be black oil sunflower seeds.
What kind of birds does black oil sunflower seeds attract?
Black-Oil sunflower seed attracts Northern Cardinals, Tufted titmice, Mourning doves, Gray catbirds, Evening grosbeaks, Boat-tailed and Common grackles, Bushtits, House finches, Pine siskins, Black-billed magpies and all species of chickadees, nuthatches, and jays - just to name a few.
Should I feed my chickens black oil sunflower seeds?
Chickens in particular enjoy black oil sunflower seeds and there are many pros associated with their consumption. Whether fed as part of regular meals or given as treats, chickens will readily devour sunflower seeds, or even the whole sunflowers themselves if given the chance.
Why is black oil sunflower seed so expensive?
The adjustment includes less vegetable oil and more sunflower oil, thus reducing the trans fat content of their foods. This means that black sunflower seeds, used to make sunflower oil and feed the birds, have become highly demanded, driving up the price.
Do black oil sunflower seeds go bad?
Many seeds have high oil contents, and when that oil goes bad it will generate a sharp, rancid smell. Moldy and musty odors also indicate spoiled birdseed.
Why you should not eat sunflower seeds?
Side effects of Sunflower Seeds: Consuming too much may lead to weight gain. Sunflower seeds contain traces of cadmium. Eating too many seeds can be harmful to our kidneys. Eating contaminated sprouted seeds may lead to bacterial infection (Salmonella).
What happens if you eat sunflower seeds everyday?
Studies suggest that people who eat 1 ounce (30 grams) of sunflower seeds daily as part of a healthy diet may reduce fasting blood sugar by about 10% within six months, compared to a healthy diet alone ( 7 , 18).
Do sunflower seeds make you poop?
Sunflower seeds Improves Gastrointestinal Health As mentioned, sunflower seeds are high in dietary fiber. This fiber bulks up the stool and facilitates the peristaltic movement of the intestines, thus optimizing the digestive process.
Here's what you need to know about this popular bird seed, from which birds like to eat it to how to grow your own
Here's what you need to know about this popular bird seed, from which birds like to eat it to how to grow your own.
What Are Black Oil Sunflower Seeds?
Black oil sunflower seeds come from a cultivar (or modified version) of the sunflower plant Helianthus annuus. They’re an annual crop, used primarily for making cooking oil and as wild bird food.
What Birds Eat Black Oil Sunflower Seeds?
In general, most seed-eating birds are attracted to black oil sunflower seeds. These include:
What Feeders Work Best for Black Oil Sunflower Seeds?
Hopper, tube and tray feeders all work well for black oil sunflower seeds, as long as their holes are large enough for the birds to extract the seed.
How To Grow Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Growing sunflowers is easy throughout most of North America, except places with short summers (they die at the first frost) or lots of humidity.
How To Preserve and Handle Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Because black oil sunflower seed has a high oil content, eventually it will go rancid and become unappealing to birds. The more heat and humidity in your area, the shorter it will stay fresh.
Why are black sunflower seeds good for birds?
This black oil sunflower seed has more meat than a regular sunflower seed and the outer husk is softer so even smaller birds can crack into the seed. It is rated the number one food for wild birds by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The high oil content in Black Peredovik sunflower seeds is important to birds in winter as they will spread the oil on their feathers, increasing buoyancy and keeping them dry and warm.
Why is sunflower oil so popular?
Sunflower oil is low in saturated fats and doesn’t have a strong taste. It is growing in popularity due to its heart healthy reputation.
Why are black peredovik sunflowers good for birds?
The high oil content in Black Peredovik sunflower seeds is important to birds in winter as they will spread the oil on their feathers, increasing buoyancy and keeping them dry and warm.
What are confection sunflower seeds?
Confection sunflowers produce seeds that are large gray and black striped seeds that are sold for snacks. They are sold either in the shell, roasted or salted, or shelled for salads and baking. Numerous varieties are used for confection seeds but primarily the Black Peredovic sunflower is grown for oil seed.
What happens when a sunflower matures?
When the sunflower head matures, the flowers become seeds. These sunflower seeds can be a variety of shades but having all black ones is rare.
When do sunflower seeds turn into seeds?
The flowers in the center turn into seed when the plant is almost done for the season. Black oil sunflower seeds are the favorite for feeding wild birds and for making sunflower oil.
Can you grow black sunflower seeds for oil?
There are always a few brown or striped sunflower seeds and these cultivars are not grown for oil as is the Black Peredovic sunflower. Even the common or native sunflowers can produce black seeds mixed in with the other colors. These will go first if you leave the sunflower head out for food.
Why do people eat black oil sunflower seeds?
There are some reasons why black oil sunflower seeds could help prevent Alzheimer and dementia, the first thing is because it is packed with antioxidants. Second, it could reduce the inflammation that could be the root of Alzheimer and dementia. Third, black oil sunflower seeds are rich of mineral especially Zinc that is great for brain and nervous system.
Where do black oil sunflower seeds come from?
It is one of the varieties of sunflower commonly found in America and according to some studies, sunflower is actually native to North America though today you could find sunflower around the world.
What is the vitamin E in black oil?
Vitamin E found in black oil sunflower seeds are also well known as gamma-tocopherol. It is a potent antioxidant that could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties also protect the heart from stroke and heart attack. Helps Balance Cholesterol Level.
Is sunflower seed a bird seed?
Surprisingly, though sunflower seeds are now popular as healthy snack but initially sunflowers were used as birdseed and even until now, sunflower is closely related to ham ster or guinea pig. Well, aside from that sunflowers also bring a lot of health benefits for human.
Is black oil good for you?
As food rich of antioxidants, black oil sunflower seeds are excellent immunity booster. You could add it to your salad or breakfast oat to provide you one layer of protection, especially from viral infection.
Does black oil help with high blood pressure?
Some studies have been conducted to find out the close correlation between consuming black oil sunflower seeds with the reduction of symptoms of high blood pressure and the result is really amazing.
Do black oil sunflower seeds help with diabetes?
It means, you could reduce the risk of diabetes by balancing the blood sugar level. As mentioned above, black oil sunflower seeds are packed with vitamin E. It is a common knowledge that one of the health benefits of vitamin E is to promote healthy skin.
What are black sunflower seeds?
Black oil sunflower seeds are about 28 percent fat and 25 percent fiber. This makes them incredibly filling. These seeds also have 15 percent protein, iron, potassium, and vitamins A, B, and E. They also contain calcium. In short, black oil sunflower seeds are highly nutritious. The seeds are very nourishing and filling to birds, animals that burn up a lot of energy while flying. Black oil sunflower seeds are used to make sunflower oil because they have such a high natural oil content.
How to store black oil sunflower seeds?
Store your black oil sunflower seeds in a cool, dry place if you aren’t going to put them all out at once.
What is the difference between black sunflower seeds and striped sunflower seeds?
Black oil sunflower seed has a meatier texture and flavor than a striped sunflower seed. These seeds have a higher oil content than striped sunflower seeds. Black oil sunflower seeds have more calories and nutritional value as a result, which makes them highly prized by birds. The shells of these seeds are thin and easy for birds to crack, allowing them to access the prize inside.
What is the name of the seeds that crack when you eat them?
You’ve probably eaten sunflower seeds before, or you’ve seen someone else eating them. The most common kind of sunflower seed you purchase for eating have grayish-black outer shells that are very easy to crack with small, grayish kernels inside. These are known as striped sunflower seeds because the shells are sort of mottled, almost striped. But there are many other types of sunflower seed, including black oil sunflower seeds.
Where do sunflower seeds come from?
All sunflower seeds come from the common sunflower plant, the Helianthus annuus. Sunflowers come in a huge variety of sizes and colors. But all the seeds that are commercially available come from the standard sunflower, the one you probably picture when you think of sunflowers. This is a tall, beautiful flower with large, yellow blossoms with big, brown seed heads at the center.
What birds like black iol seeds?
If you’re a bird lover of any kind, stock up on black iol sunflower seeds! These seeds attract a huge variety of backyard birds. The list includes large grosbeak species, including northern cardinals, along with Eurasian collared-doves, like mourning doves. Titmice, including the tufted titmouse, love these seeds.
What bird seed attracts birds?
This is the most popular bird seed out there, attracting many different species of birds. If you fill your garden bird feeder with black oil sunflower seed, you’ll see lots of different feathered friends do by for a visit. But what is black oil sunflower seed and besides being delicious to birds, what else does it do?
Why are black sunflowers so popular?
One of the largest reasons black oil sunflowers are well known is because of their seeds. These seeds have a large amount of oil in them, especially compared to other sunflower seeds. They have. a high concentration of oil and also provide ample amounts of protein.
How big is a black oil sunflower?
They are large in size, as the average sunflower reaches three feet in height. Black oil sunflowers can reach up to ten feet, meaning some are more than three times larger than other varieties.
Why do birds eat black oil sunflowers?
The second reason to grow Black Oil Sunflowers is for their seeds. These seeds are commonly used to feed wild birds and to feed backyard chickens, as they provide lots of valuable nutrients. They can improve the health of songbirds and your poultry as they are high in protein and have been shown to increase weight.
How much water do black oil sunflowers need?
Black Oil Sunflowers do not need a lot of water from their gardeners. In fact, they only need one inch of water per week. If you live in a rainy area, then you will likely not have to water them at all and can just let nature take care of it. However, if you live in an area that is particularly hot, then more water may be required. While they are drought-tolerant, they do grow best when they aren’t limited by lack of water.
How many flowers does a black oil sunflower have?
Black oil sunflowers produce one flower, meaning they are not branching. They only produce one, beautiful flower per stalk. The flower itself is usually about twelve inches across.
Is it safe to eat black oil sunflower seeds?
While black oil sunflower seeds are edible, you will want to wash them first. These seed s are not commonly used for human consumption so they are not typically packaged in a way that is safe for people to eat.
What is black oil sunflower seed?
A black oil sunflower seed can be rather skinny or a little plump. These oily seeds are pure, dark black and have a shell that may chip or crack during storage in the large bulk bag. It’s relatively easy for birds of all sizes to break the shell to access the seed. The internal nut of the black oil sunflower seed is tan or light brown and looks much like a sunflower kernel you might see in your favorite trail mix, although these are more preferred for feeding wildlife.
What Kinds of Birds Eat Black Oil Sunflower Seeds?
Black oil sunflower seed birdseed is an excellent choice for wildlife diversity, as quite a few different birds enjoy these seeds. Most backyard birds, including Mourning Doves, Northern Cardinals, Jays, chickadees, and nuthatches eat black oil sunflower seeds. As one of the most popular kinds of birdseed, it’s also suitable for black-billed magpies, tufted titmice, house finches, and evening grosbeaks, among many others. Apparently, these seeds are also great for chickens!
Can you harvest black oil sunflowers?
Once you snip a few sunflower stems, expect to see new growth coming from the leaf nodes! If you harvest flowers or deadhead black oil sunflowers soon enough in the season, you may enjoy a cut-and-come-again flower harvest.
Can birds eat seeds?
High protein and high oil content make these seeds a healthy choice for wild birds. So many different backyard birds will enjoy the seeds, not to mention squirrels and rodents, if they can get to them.
Are Black Oil Sunflower Seeds Edible?
That being said, black oil sunflower seeds are edible, technically. You’d want to wash them very well, although if you’re growing them yourself, you may just wish to plant some of the striped ones for your own snacks and leaves these for the birds.
What is black oil sunflower?
Black oil sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are cultivars that contain more oil in their black seeds than the familiar gray and gray- or black-striped seeds. Generally, these high-oil sunflowers are grown for their seeds, which are processed to make sunflower oil, and for bird feed.
How to keep sunflowers from weeding?
This helps support the tall stems and heavy seed heads. A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the sunflowers, pulled 4 inches away from the stems, helps discourage weeds and reduces evaporation of water from the soil.
How to grow sunflowers indoors?
In cooler climates where the summer is short, you can plant your sunflowers indoors, 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost date. Use biodegradable paper or peat pots and fill them with damp seed-starting mix. Press the seeds into the mix, then cover the pots with plastic wrap until the seedlings appear in seven to 10 days. Remove the plastic wrap and put the pots in a brightly lit spot or 4 to 6 inches under a grow light or fluorescent light fixture. Tear off the upper part of the paper or peat pot so it is not exposed to the air, then plant the sunflower, pot and all, in the garden after all chance of frost is past.
How far apart should I plant sunflower seeds?
The University of Minnesota Extension recommends planting the seeds 1 inch deep and 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on the height of the mature sunflower. 'Hopi Black Dye' grows 6 to 10 feet tall and should be planted 24 inches apart. Space rows 24 to 36 inches apart.
How to harvest seedheads for winter?
Rub two dry seedheads together over a bucket or bowl to harvest the seed and store it for winter. Alternatively, store seedheads the way they are and put them on out for your feathered garden guests as-is.
How long does it take to harvest a sunflower seed?
Alternately, you can succession-plant some of the seeds in your garden and use the rest for micro greens. Harvest the tender sunflower greens in a week to two weeks, when each seedling has two fat leaves. Seeds for the Russian heirloom black 'Peredovik' sunflower are available as conventional and organic.
When are sunflowers ready to harvest?
The sunflowers are ready to harvest when the flower petals begin to fall off and the back of the large flower head turns yellow and brown. The stalk weakens and the seed head droops. Cut the seed head free with anvil pruners. To save sunflower seeds for birds, allow the heads to dry in a warm, dry location.
Varieties
Diet
- Without question, black oil sunflower seed is the most popular seed among a wide variety of backyard birds, and most birds will at least sample the seeds even if they prefer other foods. Birds that regularly eat sunflower seeds include: In addition to these birds, all species of jays, chickadees, sparrows, and nuthatches will eagerly eat sunflower seeds, as will downy, hairy, aco…
Preparation
- Sunflower seeds are best offered in hopper, platform, or tray feeders, since the seeds are too large for many tube and mesh feeders. Sunflower seeds can also be sprinkled directly on the ground for ground-feeding birds, and dried sunflower heads can be purchased for birds to pluck the seeds directly from a natural feeder.
Cultivation
- Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep and 8-12 inches apart in loose soil and full sun. For the best results, plant sunflower seeds only when the spring is warm and all danger of frost is past. Staggering plantings over several weeks will allow plants to mature at different times and ensure an ongoing supply of ready-to-eat birdseed. Sunflowers can be planted in all types of soil, and supplemental …
Management
- Weeds should be controlled near sunflowers when the plants are very young, but once sunflowers grow several inches tall they will rapidly become established and weeds are no longer a concern. When stalks grow taller than three feet, stakes may be needed to ensure they do not topple over during high winds, storms, or when the seed heads become heavy.
Use
- Sunflower seeds will ripen in the fall as the seed heads turn downward and the inner flowers shrivel. If you plan to store seeds for refilling feeders later, you should cover the heads with fine, sturdy mesh to prevent birds from feasting prematurely, or they can be left on the stalks for birds to enjoy directly. To store the seeds, cut the flower heads off each stalk to dry. When the heads …