Pumpkin is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. An unpretentious plant that grows in almost all countries belongs to dietary products. Widely used in cooking, pharmacy, cosmetology, folk medicine.
Chemical composition and useful properties of pumpkin seeds
Seeds are the most beneficial, they contain a large 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: arachidic acid, myristic.
- Minerals: Ca, K, Mg, P, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se.
- flavonoids.
- glycosides.
- Ether.
- sterols.
- pectins.
The calorie content is quite large and is 541 kcal per 100 grams.
Folic acid, which is part of the composition, prevents the development of neural tube pathologies in the fetus and strengthens blood vessels.
Zinc improves cerebral circulation, increases the body's defenses.
Iron increases hemoglobin levels, 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:
- Lower cholesterol levels.
- Regulate the production of hormones.
- Helps with depression and nervous conditions.
- Prevent the formation of stones in the urinary system.
- They treat constipation.
- Improving cerebral blood flow.
- improve memory.
- They remove toxins, toxins and allergens from the body.
- They have an antiparasitic effect.
- Strengthen hair, relieve dryness.
- strengthen joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissue.
- Help with nausea, toxicosis of pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
Since ancient times, seeds have been used to treat and prevent the following diseases:
- worm invasion.
- 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, they are used to treat tapeworms.
They have a mild diuretic effect, so they are recommended for violations of the urinary system and are safe for pregnant women.
Decoctions from the nuclei remove free radicals and salts of heavy metals from the cells, this is an excellent antitumor agent.
The fatty acids that compose them lower cholesterol levels, prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques and are therefore recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Regular consumption of seeds will help get rid of insomnia and depression.
There are a number of contraindications to the use of pumpkin seeds, including:
- gastric ulcer.
- intestinal diseases.
- Allergic reaction and individual intolerance to the components.
Use with caution in overweight individuals as this product is very high in calories.
Overeating can cause salts to build up in the joints, which can lead to the development of gout.
Application for helminth invasion
The composition of the pumpkin includes the amino acid cucurbitin, which negatively affects helminths, causing paralysis, due to which they detach from the intestinal walls and are naturally excreted from the human body.
To treat the helminth invasion of the core, the pumpkin is eaten raw, a decoction or infusion is prepared from it.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to use the seeds together 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 therapeutic effect. For its preparation it is necessary to grind 100 grams of raw materials to a powder state, pour a glass of warm milk and take 2-3 tablespoons before breakfast.
The brew has a cleansing effect. To prepare it, you need to grind a handful of seeds to a powder state, pour a glass of hot water, bring to a boil in a water bath and allow to cool. Strain the resulting liquid through a sieve, take in the morning before breakfast. Be sure to drink a laxative after ingestion. Approval takes no more than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey will not only help get rid of helminths, but also strengthen immunity and the body's defenses. To prepare it, you need to pour 200 grams of raw materials into 50 ml of chilled water, add 50 grams of liquid honey and mix. Take a tablespoon on an empty stomach, after ingestion it is recommended to take a laxative or do an enema. The duration of treatment is 5-7 days.
To treat helminthiasis, you can use pumpkin seeds mixed with garlic and honey. You will need 200 grams of peeled seeds, chop 4 cloves of garlic and add 2 tablespoons of honey. Take the resulting remedy in a tablespoon before breakfast. The duration 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, insomnia, depression and anxiety, help to recover in a short time after surgery and prevent the development of cancer. In official medicine, they are used to treat helminths, they have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms and trematodes.