Pumpkin is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family.An unpretentious plant that grows in almost all countries and is classified as a food product.Widely used in cooking, pharmaceuticals, cosmetology and folk medicine.
Chemical composition and beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds
Seeds bring the greatest benefit;It contains a large number of useful substances:
- Vitamins: A, B, C, K, PP, E.
- Acids: folic, pantothenate.
- 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.
- Ether.
- Sterols.
- Pectin.
Its 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 pathology in the fetus and strengthens blood vessels.
Zinc improves brain circulation and improves 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 its rich chemical composition, pumpkin seeds have the following beneficial properties:
- Reduces cholesterol levels.
- Regulates hormone production.
- Helps to overcome depression and nervous conditions.
- Prevents the formation of stones in the urinary system.
- Treats constipation.
- Improves brain circulation.
- Improve memory.
- Removes waste products, toxins, and allergens from the body.
- They have an antiparasitic effect.
- Strengthens hair and relieves dryness.
- Strengthens joints.
- Accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissue.
- Helps overcome 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 attack.
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Cystitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Liver cirrhosis, cholecystitis.
- tiredness
- 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 disturbed;it is safe for pregnant women.
Boiling from the nucleus removes free radicals and heavy metal salts from cells;this is an excellent antitumor agent.
The fatty acids contained in it lower cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques, so it is recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular disease.
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 disease.
- Allergic reactions and individual intolerance to components.
Use with caution for overweight people, as this product is high in calories.
Eating too much can cause the accumulation of salt in the joints, which can lead to the development of gout.
Use for helminthic attacks
Pumpkin contains the amino acid cucurbitin, which has a negative effect on helminths, causing paralysis, as a result of which it is detached from the intestinal wall and removed from the human body naturally.
To treat helminthic attacks on seeds, pumpkin is eaten raw, and a decoction or infusion is prepared from it.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to take the seeds together with the skin.Adults need to eat up to 300 grams of seeds, children under the age of 10 years - 150-200 grams, under the age of 10 years 70-100 grams.
Seeds mixed with milk have a good healing effect.To prepare, you need to grind 100 grams of raw material into a powder, pour a glass of warm milk, take 2-3 spoons before breakfast.
Boiling has a cleansing effect.To prepare it, you need to 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 filter and take it in the morning before breakfast.After taking it, be sure to drink a laxative.Entry course is no more than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help get rid of helminths, but also increase immunity and body defense.To prepare, you need to pour 200 grams of raw material into 50 ml of cold water, add 50 grams of liquid honey, and mix.Take a spoonful 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 grain, chop 4 cloves of garlic, add 2 spoons of honey.Take the resulting product one spoonful before breakfast.The course of treatment is 7 days.
Pumpkin seeds are a storehouse of useful ingredients;their benefits for the human body are enormous.In folk medicine, they are used to treat pathologies of the urinary system, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, bronchitis, they overcome insomnia, depression, anxiety, help in a short time to recover after surgery, and prevent the development of cancer.In official medicine it is used to treat helminthic attacks;they have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms and trematodes.