Pumpkin is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. An unpretentious plant that grows in almost every country belongs to dietary products. Widely used in cooking, pharmaceuticals, cosmetology, folk medicine.
Chemical composition and useful properties of pumpkin seeds
Seeds are the most beneficial, 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 caloric content is quite large and is equivalent to 541 kcal per 100 grams.
Folic acid, which is part of the composition, prevents the development of pathologies of the neural tube in the fetus, strengthens blood vessels.
Zinc improves cerebral circulation, increases the body's defenses.
Iron increases hemoglobin level, improves blood formula.
Magnesium and potassium strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Organic acids remove toxins, cleanse the blood of free radicals and prevent their formation.
Due to the rich chemical composition, pumpkin seeds have the following beneficial properties:
- Reduce cholesterol levels.
- Regulate hormone production.
- Helps deal with depression and nervous conditions.
- Prevent the formation of stones in the urinary system.
- They treat constipation.
- Improve cerebral circulation.
- Improve memory.
- They remove toxins, toxins, allergens from the body.
- They have an anti-parasitic effect.
- Strengthen hair, relieve dryness.
- Strengthen the joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- Help to cope with nausea, toxicosis of pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
The seeds have been used since ancient times for the treatment and prevention of the following diseases:
- Worm invasion.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- cystitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis.
- Exhaustion.
- Bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Depression, insomnia.
- Constipation.
- Dermatitis, wounds, abrasions, burns.
- Diabetes.
- Oncological Diseases.
Pumpkin seeds are a good antiparasitic agent, they are used to treat tapeworms.
They have a mild diuretic effect, so they are recommended for use in violation of the urinary system, they are safe for pregnant women.
Core decoctions remove free radicals and heavy metal salts from cells, this is an excellent antitumor agent.
The fatty acids that make up its composition lower cholesterol levels, prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques, so they are recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Regular consumption of seeds helps to get rid of insomnia and depression.
There are several contraindications to using pumpkin seeds, including:
- Gastric ulcer.
- Intestinal diseases.
- Allergic reaction and individual intolerance to the components.
Use with caution in overweight people as this product is high in calories.
Eating too much can lead to salt buildup in the joints, which can lead to the development of gout.
Helminthic invasion application
The composition of pumpkin includes the amino acid cucurbitine, which negatively affects helminths, causes paralysis, as a result of which they detach from the intestinal walls and are excreted from the human body naturally.
For the treatment of helminthic invasion of the nucleus, pumpkin is consumed raw, a decoction or infusion is prepared from them.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to use the seeds together with the bark. 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 therapeutic effect. For preparation, it is necessary to grind 100 grams of raw materials to a powdery state, 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, bring to a boil in a water bath, cool. Pass the resulting liquid through a sieve, take it in the morning before breakfast. Be sure to drink a laxative after taking it. The admission course is not longer than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help to get rid of helminths, but also increase the body's immunity and defenses. To prepare, you need to pour 200 grams of raw materials into 50 ml of ice water, add 50 grams of liquid honey, 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.
For the treatment of 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 remedy in a 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 great. In folk medicine, they are used to treat pathologies of the urinary system, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, bronchitis, they perfectly deal 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 helminthic invasion, they have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms and trematodes.