Pumpkin is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. An unobtrusive plant that grows in almost all countries, belongs to the dietary products. Widely used in cooking, pharmaceuticals, cosmetology, folk medicine.
Chemical composition and beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds
Seeds are the most useful, they contain a large amount of useful substances:
- Vitamins: A, B, C, K, PP, E.
- Acids: folic, pantothenic.
- Essential amino acids: arginine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, treonine.
- Unsaturated fatty acids: arachidonic, oleic, linolenic.
- Saturated fatty acids: arachidonic, myristic.
- Minerals: Ca, K, Mg, P, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se.
- Flavonoids.
- Glycosides.
- Ethereum.
- Sterolet.
- Pectin.
The caloric content is quite large and reaches 541 kcal per 100 grams.
Folic acid, which is part of the composition, prevents the development of neural tube pathologies in the fetus, strengthens blood vessels.
Zinc improves cerebral circulation, increases the body's defenses.
Iron increases the level of hemoglobin, improves blood count.
Magnesium and potassium strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Organic acids remove toxins, cleanse the blood of free radicals and prevent their formation.
Due to its rich chemical composition, pumpkin seeds have the following beneficial properties:
- Lower cholesterol levels.
- Regulate the production of hormones.
- Helps to cope with depression and nervous conditions.
- Prevention of stone formation in the urinary system.
- They treat constipation.
- Improving cerebral circulation.
- Improve memory.
- They remove toxins, toxins, allergens from the body.
- They have an antiparasitic effect.
- Strengthen hair, relieve dryness.
- Strengthen the joints.
- Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissue.
- Help to cope with nausea, toxicosis of pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
The seeds have been used since ancient times to treat and prevent the following diseases:
- Invasion of worms.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Cystitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis.
- Fatigue.
- Bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Depression, insomnia.
- Constipation.
- Dermatitis, wounds, scratches, 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 violations of the urinary system, they are safe for pregnant women.
Decoctions from the nuclei remove free radicals and heavy metal salts from the 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 disease.
Regular consumption of seeds helps to 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 ingredients.
Use with caution in overweight people, as this product has a lot of calories.
Excessive eating 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 pumpkin includes the amino acid cucurbitin, which adversely affects helminths, causes paralysis, as a result of which they detach from the intestinal wall and are excreted from the human body naturally.
For the treatment of helminthic invasion of the nucleus, the pumpkin is consumed raw, from which a decoction or infusion is prepared.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to use the seeds together with the bark. Adults should eat up to 300 grams of seeds, children under 10 years - 150-200 grams, under 10 years - 70-100 grams.
Seeds mixed with milk have a good therapeutic effect. For preparation, it is necessary to grind 100 grams of raw materials in a powder state, pour a glass of warm milk, take 2-3 tablespoons before breakfast.
Boiling has a cleansing effect. To prepare it, you need to grind a handful of seeds in a powder state, pour a glass of hot water, boil in a water bath, cool. Pass the obtained liquid through a sieve, take it in the morning before breakfast. Be sure to take a laxative after taking it. The admission course is not more than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help remove helminths, but also boost immunity and protect the body. To prepare, you need to pour 200 grams of raw material in 50 ml of cold 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 grains, grind 4 cloves of garlic, add 2 tablespoons of honey. Take the resulting medicine in a tablespoon before breakfast. The course of treatment is 7 days.
Pumpkin seeds are a storehouse of beneficial substances, their benefits to the human body are enormous. In folk medicine, they are used to treat pathologies of the urinary system, cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis, bronchitis, perfectly cope with insomnia, depression, anxiety, help in recovery 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.