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
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 the blood formula.
Magnesium and potassium strengthens 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 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 hair and relieves dryness.
- Strengthen joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- Helps cope with nausea and toxicosis of pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
Since ancient times, 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 mild diuretic effect, so they are recommended for use if the urinary system is disrupted; they are safe for pregnant women.
Decoctions from nuclei remove 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 for consuming pumpkin seeds, these include:
- 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 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 eliminated from the human body naturally.
To treat helminthic infestation of the kernels, pumpkin is consumed 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 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 material to a 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 to 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 course of admission 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, you need to pour 200 grams of raw material into 50 ml of chilled 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, mince 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 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 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.