The popular name for the Pumpkin:
Gentle pumpkin, dork.
Description of the Pumpkin:
The pumpkin family includes several types of plants, such as squash, courgettes, melons and watermelons. Pumpkins are characterised by their large, juicy fruits, which come in many varieties and sizes.
Here are some general characteristics of pumpkins:
Plant Description: pumpkin is an annual plant that spreads on the ground with its long, creeping or running stems. The leaves are large and heart-shaped, usually green in colour, but may be yellowish or greyish. The pumpkins may often be hairy or spiny.
Inflorescence: Pumpkin flowers are large and yellow, often growing at the end of the stems of the plant. The flowers have a unique sex characteristic; there are male and female flowers. Male flowers are more common, while female flowers have a small, bulging pistil.
Natural Environment and Cultivation: Pumpkins are widely grown on almost all continents, mostly in warm climates. Plants grow well in rich, loose soil and in warm, sunny locations. Pumpkins are usually grown by direct seeding or by planting.
Fruit: Pumpkins are grown in a variety of sizes and shapes, from small ornamental varieties to large varieties for food. The fruit is hard-skinned and usually green or orange in colour, although other colours are possible. Inside is soft, juicy, yellow or orange flesh covered with seeds.
How to collect the herb Pumpkin?
The seeds of the pumpkin are used for medicinal purposes.
Active ingredients of Pumpkin:
Phytosterols, including delta-7-sterol, tocopherol, rarer amino acids such as the worm-killing kukurbitin, trace elements such as selenium, manganese, copper and zinc, fatty oil.
The seeds in the fruit are rich in protein and essential fatty acids, but also contain phytosterol, vitamin E, selenium, manganese, copper and zinc.
Use of the Pumpkin:
The medicinal properties of pumpkins are really great, so we’ll talk about them now. Nowadays, pumpkin seeds are mainly used to relieve urinary difficulties in cases of benign prostate enlargement. In addition, sterols affect the formation and storage of dihydrotestosterone, which is responsible for prostate enlargement. In the past, in folk medicine, the (uncertain) effect of the seeds was exploited as a vermifuge in high doses (200-400 g! ). However, it was not uncommon for them to be used as a simple aphrodisiac. Its homeopathic preparations are used to treat nausea and vomiting.
Other benefits of pumpkin include
The benefits of most pumpkins, and therefore of cooking pumpkin, include.
Fortified nutrients: Pumpkin is low in calories but rich in vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin’s vitamins include vitamins A, C and E, as well as potassium and magnesium.
High in fibre: Pumpkin is rich in fibre, which aids digestion, reduces hunger and helps maintain a healthy body weight.
Cardiovascular health: the potassium in pumpkin can help regulate blood pressure, which can contribute to cardiovascular health.
Immune system support: the vitamin A content in pumpkin can boost the immune system and help protect the body from oxidative stress.
The effect of Pumpkin on faeces
Pumpkin can affect the stool in several ways
Fibre content: the fibre in pumpkin can help stimulate bowel movements and relieve constipation. Pumpkin’s effect on the liver is also beneficial due to its high fibre content.
Water content: Pumpkin’s high water content may help to facilitate bowel movements and maintain soft stools. This can be particularly important in preventing or relieving constipation. The effect of pumpkin on the skin can be beneficial due to its high water content and moisturising properties.
Prebiotics: the prebiotics found in pumpkin feed the good bacteria in the gut, which can contribute to healthy digestion and improve stool texture.
Vitamins and minerals: the vitamins and minerals found in pumpkin, such as vitamins A, C, E and potassium, are important for digestive processes and overall health. These substances may indirectly affect bowel movements.
Medicinal products made from pumpkin seeds are available in pharmacies and herbal shops.
Pumpkin seed oil plays an important role in reducing blood cholesterol levels due to its linoleic acid content. Nowadays its oil is used in marinades and often in salad dressings. However, it is also used to make drinking juices. Speaking of which, if you want to drink some of these juices, you can make your own homemade smoothies using pumpkin. In this case, it is worth taking care that the pumpkin content is not too high, as it is usually only used as a filling ingredient.
