Pumpkin is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. An unpretentious plant that grows in almost all countries, belongs to dietary products. Widely used in cooking, pharmaceuticals, cosmetology, traditional 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 calorie content is quite large and amounts 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 the level of hemoglobin, improves the blood formula.
Magnesium and potassium strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Organic acids remove toxins, cleanse the blood of free radicals, prevent their formation.
Due to the rich chemical composition, pumpkin seeds have the following beneficial properties:
- Reduce cholesterol levels.
- Regulate the production of hormones.
- Helps to cope 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 antiparasitic effect.
- Strengthen hair, relieve dryness.
- Strengthen joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- Help to cope with nausea, toxicosis of pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
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.
Decoctions from the nuclei remove free radicals and salts of heavy metals from cells, this is an excellent antitumor agent.
The fatty acids that make up their 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 a number of contraindications for the use of pumpkin seeds, these include:
- 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.
Overeating can lead to the accumulation of salts in the joints, which can lead to the development of gout.
Application for helminthic invasion
The composition of the pumpkin includes the amino acid cucurbitin, 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, the pumpkin is consumed raw, a decoction or infusion is prepared from them.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to use 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 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 to a powder state, pour a glass of hot water, bring to a boil in a water bath, cool. Pass the resulting liquid through a sieve, take in the morning before breakfast. Be sure to drink a laxative after taking it. The course of admission is not more than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help get rid of helminths, but also increase immunity and body defenses. To prepare, you need to pour 200 grams of raw materials into 50 ml of chilled water, add 50 grams of liquid honey, mix. Take a tablespoon on an empty stomach, after taking it is recommended to take a laxative or make 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 kernels, mince 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 huge. In folk medicine, they are used to treat pathologies of the urinary system, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, bronchitis, they perfectly cope 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.