Pumpkin is an annual plant with twining stems, lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and large orange fruits, probably native to North America, now found worldwide.
• A fast-growing vine and a Squash family vegetable that creeps along the surface in a similar fashion like that of other Cucurbitaceae family vegetables and fruits (such as Cucumber, Squash, Cantaloupes, etc.)
Reasons to Eat Canned Pumpkin
1) Canned pumpkin provides the highest concentration of carotenoids of all foods. Carotenoids are special plant-based anti-oxidants that keeps the heart, eyes and skin healthy, while lowering our cancer risk.
2) Canned pumpkin is fantastic for weight control because it is high in fiber and low in calories.
3) Its cheap, quick and convenient to use.
Plant Description
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
Usable Parts
Parts Used: fruits seeds & pulp.
• It is harvested in autumn.
Directions of Preparation
Recommended Dosage
Its Active Constituents:
• Pumpkin pulp contain
• Pumpkin is excellent in Vitamin A, Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene.
• Pumpkin is very good in Potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, Vitamin E.
• Pumpkin has average trace of Iron, Copper, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Lutein + Zeaxanthin.
• Rich in Carotenoids and therefore an excellent source of Vitamin A (7050 IU per 1/2 cup = 140% DV).
• Very high in Potassium (Potassium heavyweight), Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene.
• Storehouse of many anti-oxidant Vitamins (such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E).
• Its seeds contain
• Fixed oil (30–50%), which is mostly linoleic acid (43–56%) and oleic acid (24–38%),
• Protein (31–51%),
• Sterols,
• Cucurbitin,
• Vitamin E,
• Minerals (4–5%),
• Significant levels of Iron,
• Zinc,
• Selenium.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin
Bones
• Increased consumption of high-Potassium Fruits and Vegetables like Pumpkin reduces the net acid content of the diet and may help preserve Bone mineral density (Calcium in the Bones).
• When we eat a highly acid diet, the body has to buffer that acid, and it does this by mobilizing alkaline Calcium salts from the Bones in order to neutralize the acids consumed in the diet.
Foods & Bones
Cancer & Tumor Prevention
• It boast the anti-oxidant Beta-Carotene, which may play a role in Cancer Prevention (National Cancer Institute).
Foods & Cancer
Cardiovascular System
• Regular intake of Pumpkin help protect against Hypertension as increased Potassium may increase the amount of Sodium excreted from the body.
• Increased Potassium intake decrease risk of Stroke and blood pressures.
Foods & Cardiovascular System
Eye
• Vitamin A (found Pumpkin) is also an essential vitamin for good visual sight, while its Zeaxanthin (a natural anti-oxidant) content which has UV (ultra-violet) rays filtering actions in the macula lutea in retina of the Eyes helps offer protection against age-related macular disease in the Elderly.
Foods & Eye
Immune System
• Its an excellent source of many natural Poly-phenolic Flavonoid compounds (such as alpha- Carotenes, Beta-Carotenes, cryptoxanthin, Lutein and Zeaxanthin) of which Carotenes convert into Vitamin A inside the body.
Foods & Immune System
Men Health
• Pumpkin intake slows down the growth of the Prostate and modulates the activity of the detrusor muscle.
• Moreover, it has Anti-Inflammatory and anti-androgen effects which are useful for BPH.
Foods & Men Health
Skin Health
• Free-radical-neutralizing powers of the Carotenoids in Pumpkin can help keep the Skin wrinkle-free.
• It contain Vitamin A which is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and is required by the body for maintaining the integrity of Skin and mucusa.
• Its Fruit pulp can be applied as a poultice or plaster for Burns.
Foods & Skin Health
The Brain & Nervous System
• Pumpkin Seeds are rich in Tryptophan (an Amino Acids) which is important in production of serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter that helps in boosting our mood).
Foods & Nervous System
Weight Management
• Its an often-overlooked source of Fiber, but with 3g per one-cup serving and only 49 calories, it can keep you feeling full for longer on fewer calories. A Fiber-rich diet seems to help people eat less.
Foods & Weight Management
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Pumpkin
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Pumpkin
The Most Important Natural Herbs Used in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Rye Grass Pollen
• Rye Grass Pollen (Secale cereale) – it increases the levels of zinc, inhibit 5 alpha-reductase, promote the apoptosis in the epithelial cells of the prostate, facilitate the contraction of bladder muscles, and relaxes the smooth muscle.
Saw Palmetto
• Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) – improves the BPH symptoms, especially the urge to urinate, due to its Anti-Inflammatory and anti-androgenic potential.
Stinging Nettle
• Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) – works in aromatase (an enzyme which also appears to stimulate the sex Hormone-binding Protein), resulting in a lower concentration of testosterone in the Prostate, thus leading to the reduction of the gland and the symptoms.
Pumpkin
• Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) – slows down the growth of the Prostate and also modulates the activity of the detrusor muscle. Moreover, it has Anti-Inflammatory and anti-androgen effects which are useful for BPH.
Turmeric
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – a potent anti-oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory (against prostaglandins and leukotrienes) which works fantastically to reduce swelling and pain in the Prostate, thus improves the quality of life and symptoms of patients with BPH, Prostatitis, and chronic pelvic pain.
African Wild Potato
• African Wild Potato (Hypoxis rooperi) – it has Beta-Sitosterol (a substance that displays important Anti-Inflammatory and anti-androgenic activity that improve the symptoms of BPH) similar to Rye Grass Pollen.
Green Tea
• Green Tea – reduces the size of the Prostate, due to an Anti-Inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential.
