Pumpkin is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Unpretentious plant that grows in almost all countries, belongs to the diet products. It is widely used in cooking, pharmacy, cosmetology, folk medicine.
Chemical composition and useful properties of pumpkin seeds
Seeds are the most useful, 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 high 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, strengthens blood vessels.
Zinc improves cerebral circulation, increases the body's defenses.
Iron increases the level of hemoglobin, improves blood formula.
Magnesium and potassium strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Organic acids remove toxins, clean the blood of free radicals and prevent their formation.
Due to its rich chemical composition, pumpkin seeds have the following useful properties:
- Lower your cholesterol.
- Regulates hormone production.
- Helps fight depression and nervousness.
- Prevents 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.
- Helps to solve nausea, toxicosis of pregnant women.
Indications and contraindications for use
The seeds have long been used to treat and prevent the following diseases:
- Worm invasion.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Cystitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis.
- Exhaustion.
- Bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Depression, insomnia.
- Prison.
- Dermatitis, wounds, scratches, burns.
- Diabetes.
- Oncological diseases.
Pumpkin seeds are a good remedy against parasites, 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 nucleus remove free radicals and salts of heavy metals 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, and are therefore 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, and these are:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Intestinal diseases.
- Allergic reaction and individual intolerance to components.
Use with caution in overweight people, as this product is high in calories.
Overeating can lead to the accumulation of salt 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, causing them to separate from the intestinal wall and be naturally excreted from the human body.
For the treatment of helminthic invasion of the core, pumpkins are consumed raw, from which a decoction or infusion is prepared.
For treatment and prevention, the use of seeds along with the bark is recommended. 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. To prepare, 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 into powder, pour a glass of hot water, boil in a water bath, cool. Strain the obtained liquid through a sieve, take it in the morning before breakfast. Be sure to drink a laxative after taking it. The course of admission is not longer than 5 days.
Pumpkin seeds with honey not only help get rid of helminths, but also increase immunity and body defenses. To prepare it is necessary to pour 200 grams of raw materials in 50 ml of chilled water, add 50 grams of liquid honey, stir. 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.
You can use pumpkin seeds mixed with garlic and honey to treat helminthiasis. You need 200 grams of peeled kernels, grind 4 cloves of garlic, add 2 tablespoons of honey. Take the obtained medicine per 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, perfectly cope with insomnia, depression, anxiety, help recover in a short time after surgery, prevent cancer. In official medicine they are used to treat helminthic invasion, have a negative effect on roundworms, tapeworms and trematodes.