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, folk medicine.
Chemical composition and useful properties of pumpkin seeds
Seeds are the most beneficial, they contain a large number 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 formula of the blood.
Magnesium and potassium strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Organic acids eliminate 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 the production of hormones.
- Helps to cope with depression and nervous states.
- Prevent the formation of stones in the urinary system.
- They treat constipation.
- Improve brain circulation.
- Improve memory.
- They remove toxins, toxins, allergens from the body.
- They have an antiparasitic effect.
- Strengthens hair, relieves dryness.
- Strengthen the joints.
- Accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- Helps 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:
- Invasion of worms.
- 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, therefore 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 reduce cholesterol levels, prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques, which is why they are recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Regular consumption of seeds helps eliminate insomnia and depression.
There are a number of contraindications to 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, since this product has a high caloric content.
Overeating can lead to salt buildup in the joints, which can lead to the development of gout.
Helminth invasion request
The composition of pumpkin includes the amino acid cucurbitin, which negatively affects helminths, causes paralysis, as a result of which they are shed from the intestinal walls and excreted from the human body naturally.
For the treatment of helminthic invasion of the core, pumpkin is consumed raw, a decoction or infusion is prepared from it.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to use the seeds together with the shell. 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.
The seeds mixed with milk have a good therapeutic effect. For the preparation, it is necessary to grind 100 grams of raw materials to a powder state, pour a glass of warm milk, take 2-3 tablespoons before breakfast.
The decoction has a purifying effect. To prepare it, you need to grind a handful of seeds to a powdery state, pour a glass of hot water, boil in a water bath and cool. Pass the resulting liquid through a strainer, drink in the morning before breakfast. Be sure to drink a laxative after taking it. The admission course is no more than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help get rid of helminths, but also increase the body's immunity and defenses. 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 tablespoon on an empty stomach, after taking it is recommended to drink 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 to the human body are extremely great. In folk medicine, they are used to treat pathologies of the urinary system, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, bronchitis, 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, have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms, trematodes.