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, 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 hemoglobin level, improves the blood formula.
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.
- Regulates hormone production.
- Helps to cope with depression and nervous states.
- 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.
- Strengthens hair, relieves dryness.
- Strengthens 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 illnesses.
- Cystitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Liver cirrhosis, cholecystitis.
- Exhaustion.
- Bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Depression, insomnia.
- Constipation.
- Dermatitis, wounds, abrasions, burns.
- Diabetes.
- Oncological diseases.
Pumpkin seeds are a good pest control agent, they are used to treat tapeworms.
They have a slight diuretic effect, therefore they are recommended for use in violation of the urinary system, they are safe for pregnant women.
Decoctions of the nuclei remove free radicals and salts of heavy metals from the cells, it is an excellent antitumor agent.
The fatty acids that are in their composition lower cholesterol levels, prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques, therefore 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 to the use of 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.
Overeating can lead to a buildup 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 negatively affects helminths, causes paralysis, as a result of which they break off from the intestinal walls and are naturally excreted from the human body.
For the treatment of helminthic invasion of the kernel, pumpkin is eaten raw, a decoction or infusion is prepared from it.
For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to use the seeds with the peel. Adults should 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 the preparation it is necessary to grind 100 grams of raw materials to a powdery state, pour a glass of hot 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. Strain the resulting liquid through a sieve, take in the morning before breakfast. Be sure to drink a laxative after taking it. The admission course does not exceed 5 days.
Honey pumpkin seeds 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 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 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 kernels, chop 4 cloves of garlic, add 2 tablespoons of honey. Take the obtained 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 enormous. 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 quickly recover after surgery and preventthe development of cancer. In official medicine, they are used to treat helminthic invasion, they have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms and trematodes.