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.Widespread in cooking, pharmaceutical products, cosmetology and folk medicine.
Chemical composition and beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds
The seeds provide the greatest benefit;they contain a huge amount of useful substances:
- Vitamins: A, B, C, K, PP, E.
- Acids: folic acid, pantothenic acid.
- Essential amino acids: arginine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine.
- Unsaturated fatty acids: arachidonic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid.
- Saturated fatty acids: arachidice, myristic.
- Minerals: Ca, K, Mg, P, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se.
- Flavonoids.
- Glycosides.
- Ether.
- Sterols.
- Pectins.
The calorie content is quite high and amounts to 541 kcal per100 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 the hemoglobin level and improves the blood formula.
Magnesium and potassium strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Organic acids remove waste and toxins, clean 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 the production of hormones.
- Helps cope with depression and nervous conditions.
- 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 the hair and relieves dryness.
- Strengthen the joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissue.
- Helps cope with nausea and toxicosis in pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
Since ancient times, seeds have been used for the treatment and prevention of the following diseases:
- Worm attack.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Cystitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Liver cirrhosis, cholecystitis.
- Exhaustion.
- Bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Depression, insomnia.
- Constipation.
- Dermatitis, wounds, skin 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, so they are recommended for use if the urinary system is disturbed;they are safe for pregnant women.
Decoction from kernels removes free radicals and heavy metal salts from cells;this is an excellent antitumor agent.
The fatty acids they contain lower cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques, so 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 consuming pumpkin seeds, these include:
- Ulcer.
- Intestinal diseases.
- Allergic reaction and individual intolerance to components.
Use with caution in overweight people as this product is high in calories.
Overeating can lead to salt build-up in the joints, which can lead to the development of arthritis.
Used for helminthic attacks
Pumpkin contains the amino acid cucurbitin, which has a negative effect on helminths, causing paralysis, as a result of which they are detached from the intestinal walls and eliminated naturally from the human body.
To treat helminthic infestation of the kernels, pumpkins are consumed raw and a decoction or infusion is prepared from them.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to consume the seeds together with the peel.Adults should eat up to 300 grams of seeds, children under 10 years - 150-200 grams, under 10 years 70-100 grams.
Seeds mixed with milk have a good healing effect.To prepare, grind 100 grams of raw material into a powder, pour a glass of warm milk, take 2-3 tablespoons before breakfast.
The decoction has a cleansing effect.To prepare it, grind a handful of seeds into a 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 take it in the morning before breakfast.After taking it, be sure to drink a laxative.The admission process is no more than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help get rid of helminths, but also increase the body's immunity and defenses.To prepare, pour 200 grams of raw material into 50 ml of cooled 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 make 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, 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;their benefits to the human body are extremely enormous.In folk medicine, they are used to treat pathologies of the urinary tract, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, bronchitis, they cope well with insomnia, depression, anxiety, help in a short time to recover from surgery and prevent the development of cancer.In official medicine, they are used to treat helminthic attacks;they have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms and trematodes.