The benefits and harms of pumpkin seed oil
Pumpkin seed oil is made from pumpkin seeds using the cold-pressed method. It tastes bitter, with bright nutty notes in the aroma. The color can be almost black, dark green, dark yellow, or have a reddish tint.
The composition of the product
The rich chemical composition of pumpkin seed oil makes it a remedy for many diseases and a concentration of natural benefits for the body.
It contains:
- vitamins A, E, F, C, P, T, K and group B;
- essential oils;
- selenium;
- sterols;
- triglycerides;
- phospholipids;
- pectins;
- iron;
- zinc;
- polyunsaturated acids;
- a nicotinic acid;
- rutin;
- tocopherols.
The calorie content of the product per 100 g is about 900 kcal. The content of BJU for the same weight: proteins 0 g, fats 99.5 g, carbohydrates 0.5 g.
When heated, most of its medicinal properties are lost, so it is used raw.
Beneficial features
Depending on the way you use pumpkin seed oil, it helps with a wide variety of problems, including:
- psoriasis;
- adenoma;
- cholecystitis;
- glossitis;
This product normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas and gallbladder, helps to reduce stomach acidity and improves brain function. It does not contain cholesterol, but it is rich in healthy fats.
It is used in cosmetology to create masks for the face and hair: as a base for home cosmetics, and as a vitamin supplement in store creams. Hair becomes stronger with it, hair loss decreases, and a natural gloss appears on them.
What is good for women
Pumpkin seed oil tampons and compresses are used for problems in the field of gynecology: thrush and erosion.
When unrefined oil is taken, the menstrual cycle is restored, the risk of uterine oncology is reduced, and fertility is improved.
Regular use in cosmetology helps to improve the condition of the skin: the pores on the nose and in the T-zone are narrowed, wrinkles are reduced, the complexion is evened out.
It is also useful to lubricate the cuticles, heels and scars with it: the beneficial substances in the composition soften rough skin. For these purposes, it is worth choosing a product of light shades.
What is good for men
Pumpkin seed oil has a beneficial effect on the prostate gland, relieves irritation from the walls of the bladder and normalizes the urinary system.
It has a good effect on male potency by regulating the hormonal system.
It is also useful for hemorrhoids: in this case, the product is simultaneously taken orally and the anal passage is lubricated. It is recommended to do this in the morning.
How to use in treatment
In addition to the traditional dressing of salads and cold dishes in cooking, the beneficial properties of pumpkin oil make it possible to use it as a folk medicine. It is used in several ways:
- drink;
- soak compresses and tampons with it;
- do enemas with him.
The rich chemical composition allows this product to be used for many ailments.The method of application changes depending on the ailment.
How to drink
To prevent vitamin deficiency and normalize the secretion of hormones, it is useful to arrange for yourself a course of taking pumpkin seed oil twice a year.
There are two ways you can drink it medicinally.
- Once. It is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. In folk medicine, this option is one of the best in the treatment of constipation.
- Repeatedly throughout the day. Time of use - one hour before meals or after meals, after 2 hours. Do not drink with water, as the properties of the product will appear less. If, after taking it, belching or heartburn occurs, the butter is seized with a small piece of bread or washed down with sour juice.
There are special instructions for the treatment of certain diseases.
- Cystitis. Take 10 drops three times a day. The course is 4 weeks.
- Pulmonary diseases. 5 to 10 drops, 3 times a day for a month.
- With complex therapy aimed at restoring the liver, lowering cholesterol and reducing obesity, natural oil is taken twice a day, 1 tsp. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
- Heartburn. They drink regardless of meals. 2 tsp help in 10 minutes.
- Hepatitis, cholecystitis. 2 tsp three times a day one hour before meals. The full course of treatment will require 600 to 900 ml of the product.
- Cholelithiasis. Take 1 tsp, mixing it with fresh grapefruit or lemon juice in a 2: 1 ratio. If, during treatment, pain occurs, provoked by the movement of stones, then the dosage is reduced to 0.5 tsp. and advise on the further procedure with the attending physician. The full course will require about 2 liters of the product.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system. To strengthen it, the product is consumed in 1 tsp. three times a day, the course is 600 ml of the product and is carried out twice a year.
- Alcohol intoxication, hangover. 5 tsp will help to cope with malaise.
- Allergy to food, flowers and medicines. 1 tsp three times a day. Supplemented with microclysters. The period of the procedures is until the allergic reaction subsides.
- Defeat by helminths. Take 30-50 ml of the product once on an empty stomach.
- Kidney disease. 1 tsp twice a day will strengthen the urinary system. 500 ml is enough for the course.
Enemas
Oil enemas are placed after the usual ones and have a small volume: about 50 ml. They are used for:
- constipation;
- colitis;
- cracks in the rectum;
- proktyte.
To obtain microclysters, you need to take about 30-40 ml of warm water and pour 1 tablespoon of oil into it. Everything is whipped into an emulsion, after which an enema is given. The procedure is performed daily for 2 weeks and is repeated after a month's break.
Tampons and compresses
Tampons are moistened in pumpkin seed oil and applied to the affected area for no more than 30 minutes. It is important to make sure that there are no open wounds or scratches on the mucous membranes and on the skin. Compresses are used once.
Indications for use:
- Thrush. Before use, you must be examined by a gynecologist.
- Acne. A tampon soaked in oil is applied for 3-5 minutes to the inflamed skin. If it is not possible to keep it, acne is simply lubricated and washed off after 10 minutes.
- Insect bites. The substances contained in pumpkin seed oil reduce swelling and relieve itching.
- Diathesis, psoriasis and fungus. Zinc in the composition of the product blocks the further spread of the disease, the skin is hydrated and becomes stronger. The cracking of the epidermis is reduced, with regular use, peeling disappears.
- Gingivitis, periodontitis. Compresses are applied to the affected areas, twice or thrice a day.
- Cervical erosion. An oil swab is inserted into the vagina at night. The procedure is repeated daily for 3 weeks. To improve the results, additionally take 1 tsp orally in the morning and in the evening.
- Skin lesions, including burns, cuts and other wounds. A dressing soaked in oil is applied to the damaged skin. It changes once or twice a day.
Harm and contraindications
With high sensitivity of the skin and a tendency to allergies, pumpkin oil can do considerable harm: provoke the appearance of rashes and acne on the body.
This product is contraindicated for diabetics.
Also, people with gallstone disease should treat it with caution: although it is used as a medicine against this ailment, it also provokes the movement of stones. It must be used after a medical consultation.
For children, it is not recommended to take it before the age of 14. It is better to simply introduce this product into the daily menu of the child. The initial dosage is 1 tsp per day, then it is adjusted to 2-3 tbsp.
You should not try to immediately give the child a large amount: this will not bring any benefit, but it can provoke the appearance of allergies and cause other harm to health.
At the same time, you can use the product for the treatment of diaper rash from the first days of life, there will be no harm from this. But an allergic test is done first. For this:
- A drop is applied to the child's wrist.
- The skin reaction is checked after an hour or two. If there is an allergy, the product is not used.
How to choose a good oil
Earlier, the king of Austria at the legislative level classified the method of making natural pumpkin oil. In those days, there was no doubt about the quality of this product: the crown was responsible for it. Now, in the age of industry, anything can be counterfeited, so it is important to learn how to define artificial.
In total, there are 8 criteria that help in choosing high-quality vegetable oil from pumpkin seeds.
- Shelf life. It cannot exceed one year.
- Color. Varies from emerald to reddish red. Should be homogeneous.
- Taste. Usually has nutty notes and not too much bitterness. An overly bitter product is spoiled.
- Sediment. If the oil is not filtered in production, then a precipitate will form in it. Usually it looks like a small cloudy suspension, which happens even in a very high-quality product.
- Bottle. It is best if it is made of tinted glass.
- The country of manufacture. Traditionally, the best suppliers of the product are Austria, Styria and Slovenia. Austrian products are leading among others. In Russia, they are made on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory and Altai.
- Quality marks. The most preferred signs are “organic”, “unfiltered” and “raw pressed”. Most of all useful substances are stored in such oil.
- The oil must be unrefined, cold pressed. Refined loses its taste, its color and smell change.
Naturally, the composition indicated on the label should contain only one name: 100% pumpkin seed oil. Any additives call into question the usefulness and naturalness of the product.
Manufacturers
The healing product can be purchased at several places:
- At the pharmacy. Among the medicines, you can find pumpkin seed oil in capsules, which is used as a dietary supplement. This form is most convenient if you need to take it several times a day. Another plus is the presence of instructions in the box: you will always have an appointment diagram at your fingertips.
- At the manufacturer, on the website or directly at the production site, if possible.
- At the grocery store. Usually, the choice is not so great, but you can find at least one linseed and pumpkin oil on the shelves. The edible oils found in stores are safe to consume and use in medical treatments.
- In the Internet. It is here that you can find the lowest prices for the product and choose the manufacturer you like. One of the most popular resources where people buy cold-pressed products is iherb. The oil in capsules is in the dietary supplements section. The main advantage of online shopping is the ability to receive an order from anywhere in the world.
Comparison of manufacturers is presented in the table:
Manufacturer | Country of Origin | Characteristics | Where is sold | approximate cost |
Gea | Slovenia | Amber brown, no bitterness, thick | Hypermarkets, online stores | from 600 rubles for 250 ml |
Kotanyi (Kotani) | Austria | Intense taste and aroma | Online store | from 1200 r for 500 ml |
Кurbiskernol | Styria | Unique color: changes from dark red to green | Online store | from 750 r for 250 ml |
The scents of life | Russia | Weak taste, liquid, light | Supermarkets | From 500 r for 250 ml |
Dial-export | Russia | No bitterness, dark | Online store, hypermarkets | From 250 rubles per 100 ml |
Realkaps | Russia | Dark capsules | Pharmacy | From 100 rubles for 60 capsules |
Organic life | Russia | Rich pumpkin aroma, dark oil | Online stores, hypermarkets | From 700 r for 250 ml |
Frank's Naturprodukte | Austria | Organic, nutty aroma and flavor, black | Online Stores | From 950 RUB for 250 ml |
Nefertiti | Egypt | Dark yellow or dark green in color | Online Stores | from 1000 r for 60 ml |
Kocbek | Slovenia | Dark, with a pronounced pumpkin flavor | Online Stores | From 800 r for 250 ml |
Hamlitsch | Austria | Organic, almost black, with a nutty flavor | Online Stores | From 600 r for 250 ml |
OleGut | Russia, Murmansk | Dark capsules | Pharmacies, online stores | From 70 r for 60 capsules |
Diveevo | Russia, the village of Diveevo | Red red, taste with bitterness | Online stores, pharmacies | from 250 rubles for 250 ml |
Pelzmann | Styria, Wagna | Emerald, viscous, nutty flavor and aroma | Online shops, premium supermarkets | from 590 rub for 250 ml |
The benefits of pumpkin oil for humans cannot be overstated. It helps to alleviate many diseases and to get a stronger and healthier body due to the high amount of vitamins in its composition.
However, it is important to remember about contraindications: for diabetics and those who suffer from gallstone disease and allergic reactions, this product can do great harm. Also, do not take it if the body reacts negatively to it with rashes and acne.