Pumpkin is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family.An unpretentious plant that grows in almost all countries and is classified as a dietary product.Widely used in cooking, pharmaceuticals, cosmetology and folk medicine.
Chemical composition and beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds
Seeds bring the greatest benefits;they contain a large amount of useful substances:
- Vitamins: A, B, C, K, PP, E.
- Acids: folic, pantothenic.
- Essential amino acids: arginine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine.
- Unsaturated fatty acids: arachidonic, oleic, linolenic.
- Saturated fatty acids: arachidic, myristic.
- Minerals: Ca, K, Mg, P, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se.
- Flavonoids.
- Glycosides.
- Ethers.
- Sterols.
- Pectins.
The calorie content is quite high and amounts to 541 kcal per 100 grams.
Folic acid, included in the composition, prevents the development of neural tube pathologies in the fetus and strengthens blood vessels.
Zinc improves cerebral circulation and increases the body's defenses.
Iron increases hemoglobin levels and improves blood formula.
Magnesium and potassium strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Organic acids remove waste and toxins, cleanse the blood of free radicals and prevent their formation.
Due to their rich chemical composition, pumpkin seeds have the following beneficial properties:
- Reduces cholesterol levels.
- Regulate hormone production.
- Helps to deal with depression and nervous problems.
- Prevents the formation of stones in the urinary system.
- Treat constipation.
- Improves cerebral circulation.
- Improves memory.
- Removes waste, toxins and allergens from the body.
- They have an antiparasitic effect.
- Strengthens hair and relieves dryness.
- Strengthen joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- Helps to cope with nausea and toxicosis in pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
Since ancient times, seeds have been used to treat and prevent the following diseases:
- Worm infestation.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Cystitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Liver cirrhosis, cholecystitis.
- Exhaustion.
- Bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Depression, insomnia.
- Constipation.
- Dermatitis, wounds, abrasions, burns.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Oncological diseases.
Pumpkin seeds are a good antiparasitic agent and are used to treat tapeworms.
They have a mild diuretic effect, therefore they are recommended for use in case of disorders of the urinary system;they are safe for pregnant women.
Core decoctions remove free radicals and heavy metal salts from cells;this is an excellent antitumor agent.
Fatty acids contain lower cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques, which is why they are recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Regular consumption of seeds can help you get rid of insomnia and depression.
There are several contraindications to consuming pumpkin seeds, including:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Intestinal diseases.
- Allergic reaction and individual intolerance to components.
Use with caution for overweight people as this product is high in calories.
Eating too much can lead to salt buildup in the joints, which can lead to the development of gout.
Use for helminthic infestation
Pumpkin contains the amino acid cucurbitin, which has a negative effect on helminths, causing paralysis, as a result of which they detach from the intestinal walls and are naturally eliminated from the human body.
To treat helminthic infestation of grains, pumpkin is consumed raw and a decoction or infusion is prepared from it.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to consume the seeds together with the shell.Adults need to eat up to 300 grams of seeds, children under 10 years old - 150-200 grams, under 10 years old 70-100 grams.
Seeds mixed with milk have a good healing effect.To prepare, you need to grind 100 grams of raw materials into powder, pour a glass of warm milk, take 2-3 tablespoons before breakfast.
The decoction has a cleansing effect.To prepare it, you need to grind a handful of seeds into powder, add a glass of hot water, bring to a boil in a water bath and cool.Pass the resulting liquid through a sieve and drink it in the morning, before breakfast.After taking it, drink a laxative.The admission course is no more than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help eliminate helminths, but also increase the body's immunity and defenses.To prepare, you need to put 200 grams of raw materials in 50 ml of ice water, add 50 grams of liquid honey and mix.Take a tablespoon on an empty stomach;after taking it, it is recommended to take a laxative or do an enema.The course of treatment is 5-7 days.
To treat helminthiasis, you can use pumpkin seeds mixed with garlic and honey.You need 200 grams of peeled kernels, chop 4 cloves of garlic and add 2 tablespoons of honey.Take the resulting product one tablespoon before breakfast.The course of treatment is 7 days.
Pumpkin seeds are a storehouse of useful substances;its benefits to the human body are extremely enormous.In folk medicine, they are used to treat pathologies of the urinary system, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, bronchitis, they cope well with insomnia, depression, anxiety, help to recover after surgery in a short time and prevent the development of cancer.In official medicine they are used to treat helminthic infestations;they have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms and trematodes.