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 provide the most benefits;They contain a huge amount of useful substances:
- Vitamins: A, B, C, K, PP, E.
- Acid: folic, pantothenic.
- Essential amino acids: Arginine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine.
- Unsaturated fatty acids: arachidonic, oleic, linoleic.
- Saturated fatty acids: arachidic, myristic.
- Minerals: Ca, K, Mg, P, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se.
- Flavonoids.
- Glycosides.
- Ether.
- Sterols.
- Pectin.
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 deformities in the fetus and strengthens blood vessels.
Zinc improves cerebral circulation and increases body defense.
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.
- Control the production of hormones.
- Helps deal with depression and nervous conditions.
- Prevents formation of stones in the urinary system.
- Treat constipation.
- Improves cerebral circulation.
- Improves memory.
- Removes waste, toxins and allergens from the body.
- These have anti-parasitic effect.
- Strengthens hair and provides relief from dryness.
- Strengthen joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- Helps pregnant women deal with nausea and toxicosis.
Indications and contraindications for use
The seeds have been used since ancient times for the treatment and prevention of the following diseases:
- Worm infection.
- Heart disease.
- 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, so they are recommended for use when the urinary system is disrupted;They are safe for pregnant women.
The decoction removes free radicals and heavy metal salts from cells;It is an excellent antitumor agent.
The fatty acids they contain reduce cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques, so they are recommended for people suffering from heart diseases.
By regular consumption of seeds you can get rid of insomnia and depression.
There are several contraindications to the consumption of pumpkin seeds, these include:
- stomach ulcers.
- bowel disease.
- Allergic reaction and individual intolerance to the components.
Use caution for overweight people, as this product is high in calories.
Overeating can cause salt to accumulate in the joints, leading to the development of gout.
Use for worm 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 pinworm infestation, pumpkins are eaten raw, and a decoction or infusion is prepared from them.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to consume the seeds along with the peel.Adults need to eat up to 300 grams of seeds, children under 10 years of age - 150-200 grams, children under 10 years of age - 70-100 grams.
Seeds mixed with milk have a good effect on healing.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, pour a glass of hot water, boil in a water bath and cool.Strain the resulting liquid through a strainer and take it in the morning before breakfast.After taking this, definitely drink laxative medicine.The course of admission does not exceed 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help in getting rid of stomach worms but also increase the immunity and defense of the body.To prepare, you need to pour 200 grams of raw materials in 50 ml of cold water, add 50 grams of liquid honey and mix.Take one tablespoon on an empty stomach;After taking it, it is advised to take laxative or 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 cloves, 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 for the human body are extremely immense.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 in a short time after surgery and prevent the development of cancer.In official medicine they are used to treat worm infections;They have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms and trematodes.