Pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo L.

Pumpkin seed

  • Scientific name: Cucurbita pepo L.
  • Family: Cucurbitaceae
  • Pumpkin is an annual plant with short cycle grown commonly in the tropics between March and June. 
  • It is known from antiquity whose origins are lost in time. 
  • The pumpkin is very useful as food and its seeds are highly valued for their health benefits as an anthelmintic and contain 50% of a fatty oil composed by oleic acid and linoleic acid.
    It has a high content of carbohydrates, amino acids and vitamins B, C, D, E and K. It also contains minerals like calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
  • Other substances present in pumpkin are the glycoside (cucurbitin), albumin, lecithin, phytosterol and various resins.

Uses of pumpkin

Pumpkin seeds

  • Its preparation as an anthelmintic consist of mixing 100 – 200 g of peeled pumpkin seeds (without testa) with honey (up to 100 ml) and gradually taken over the course of 1 hour.
  • After 3 hours a laxative should be taken to expel parasites. It s very useful in removing the Taenia Solium and Taenia Saginata.
  • Another use of the pumpkin is as antiinflammatory for cystitis, prostatitis, in particular for preventing or treating prostate cancer and also for insomnia.
  • The pulp either raw or cooked is used as an emulsifier.
  • Oil extracted from pumpkin seeds is especially good for cancer, diabetes and heart disease
  • The seed has refreshing and soothing properties, is given as “seed milk” for nephritis and inflammation of the bladder and urethra.
  • A good remedy for burns is 30 g of pulp per liter of water and makes a porridge with the mix.