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 traditional medicine.
Chemical composition and beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds
The seeds bring the greatest benefit;they contain a huge 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, which is 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 count.
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.
- Regulates hormone production.
- Helps to cope with depression and nervous disorders.
- 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.
- Strengthens joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- Helps to cope with nausea and toxicosis of pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
Since ancient times, the seeds have been used for the treatment and prevention of 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 slight diuretic effect, so their use is recommended if the urinary system is disturbed;they are safe for pregnant women.
Kernel decoctions remove free radicals and heavy metal salts from cells;it is an excellent antitumor agent.
The fatty acids contained in them lower cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques, therefore they are recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Regular consumption of seeds can help you get rid of insomnia and depression.
There are a number of contraindications to eating 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.
Overeating can cause salt buildup in the joints, which can lead to the development of gout.
Use in case of helminthic infestation
Pumpkin contains the amino acid cucurbitin, which has a negative effect on helminths, causing paralysis, as a result of which they break away from the intestinal walls and are eliminated naturally from the human body.
To treat helminthic infestation of grains, pumpkin is eaten raw and a decoction or infusion is prepared from it.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to consume the seeds with the skin.Adults should eat up to 300 grams of seeds, children under 10 years old - 150-200 grams, children 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 material into powder, pour a glass of hot milk and 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 leave to cool.Pass the resulting liquid through a sieve and take it in the morning before breakfast.After taking it, be sure to drink a laxative.The duration of admission does not exceed 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help get rid of helminths, but also increase the body's immunity and defenses.To prepare, you need to pour 200 grams of raw material into 50 ml of chilled water, add 50 grams of liquid honey and mix.Take one tablespoon on an empty stomach;after taking it, it is recommended to take a laxative or do an enema.The duration of treatment is 5 to 7 days.
To treat helminthiasis, you can use pumpkin seeds mixed with garlic and honey.You need 200 grams of peeled grains, chop 4 cloves of garlic, add 2 tablespoons of honey.Take the resulting product one tablespoon before breakfast.The duration of treatment is 7 days.
Pumpkin seeds are a storehouse of useful substances;their benefits for the human body are extremely enormous.In traditional medicine, they are used to treat pathologies of the urinary system, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, bronchitis, they cope well with insomnia, depression, anxiety, help in a short time to recover after surgery 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.