Pumpkins and squash in herbal medicine

Pumpkin and squash
Photo of pumpkins and squash provided by Wiki Media.

 

Pumpkins and squash, while not considered medicinal herbs, are very healing to our bodies. You can protect against nutritional deficiencies by adding more pumpkin, squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes to your diet.

Orange and yellow vegetables provide large amounts of vitamins, minerals, healthy fiber, and antioxidants to the body.

They also keep the digestive system in top-notch shape, provide benefits to the urinary system, and help protect the prostate.

A healing diet

Everyone should really load up on pumpkin, squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes when they come into season. These orange vegetables are super foods with lots of live enzymes that provide energy for fighting off heath problems.

Pumpkin seeds for getting rid of parasites

While on the subject of pumpkins, I want to mention pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds help protect us from parasites. They also can help get rid of worms and other critters that happen to invade our bodies.

Pumpkin seeds contain lots of very high quality oil that works to heal and protect or immune systems and more. They are especially good for prostate problems and the urinary system.


Cutting pumpkin for pies
Preparing pumpkins for pie on Payne Mountain Farms

 

Pumpkins and scientific findings

Pumpkin contains proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, tryptophan, vitamins, minerals,and many other beneficial substances.

Research shows that pumpkin is useful for improving fertility, wound healing, fighting inflammation, and more.

In Mexico and China, pumpkin has been studied in relation to treating diabetes. It is reported that regular consumption of pumpkin can lower glucose levels and reduce kidney damage.

Regular consumption of pumpkin seeds has been shown to reduce the rate of cancer especially breast, rectal, prostate, and lung cancer.

Scientific studies prove that pumpkin seeds are effective in the treatment of high cholesterol. Pumpkin seeds work to reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. This is good news for anyone with cardiovascular disease.

Pumpkin seeds, with their high levels of antioxidants, can retard the progression of hypertension. They are also excellent remedies for parasites and worms.

In a study done on pumpkin leaves and seeds, it was found that they are useful in the treatment of depression.

A diet rich in pumpkin and squash also helps the liver.

Pumpkin can reduce the harmful effects caused by using artificial sweeteners like aspartame. It can also help arthritis, ulcers, and the heart.

Pumpkin pie

One of the healthiest desserts on the Thanksgiving table, pumpkin pie contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and other warming spices.

Pumpkin pie is one of my favorite things and it makes a delicious, healthy choice for dessert. Lower in calories and fat than most desserts, pumpkin pie is packed full of nutrients that help protect us from viral infections, and also shorten duration of winter colds.

pumpkin pie
Photo of a slice of pumpkin pie provided by Wiki Media.

Pumpkin pie recipe

This is a delicious recipe that can be used for pie with a crust or alone as a custard.

Roasted pumpkin and squash are delicious and easy to prepare. Just peel, cut into pieces, season, and bake until tender. If you don't have fresh pumpkin, canned pumpkin works, too. If using canned pumpkin, start with step 5.

  1. Cut one small pie pumpkin in half and remove the seeds and stringy pulp.
  2. Place upside down in an oven proof dish and bake until tender.
  3. Pour off liquid.
  4. Cool, remove tough outer skin, and mash like potatoes (an electric mixer works great).
  5. Measure 2 cups of fresh (or canned) pumpkin.
  6. Add 2 eggs
  7. Add a half teaspoon of salt
  8. Add a cup of sugar
  9. Add 1/2 cup of evaporated milk (or half and half)
  10. Add a splash of vanilla flavoring
  11. Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  12. Ass 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
  13. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
  14. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice
  15. Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
  16. Stir well and bake at 350 degrees in a pie shell or buttered casserole dish until set like Jell-O (about 40 minutes).
  17. Serve with whipped cream for dessert, or plain as a side dish. When using as a side dish, cut sugar in half.

 

Choose pumpkin pie for dessert instead of cream pies, cakes, pastries, and ice cream. You will get a nutritional boost, consume fewer calories, and enjoy a delicious treat.

 

There are lots of good recipes on the internet that feature orange vegetables. Visit Good Housekeeping to get the Easiest Ever Pumpkin Soup recipe.

*Do not consume warming spices like cinnamon and cloves if you have ulcers. Always consult with your healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking other medicines.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9182978/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746528/

 

Blessings to you and yours!

Thanks so much for reading my blog. Jan.

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