Pumpkin seeds are often found in folk remedies for the treatment of inflammation of the prostate.
This attention is justified by the peculiarities of the chemical composition of the product. It should be noted that pumpkin seeds for prostatitis are an auxiliary component of therapy, but they do not replace drugs.
Composition and useful properties
The main value of pumpkin seeds is the oil they contain, so they should be eaten raw. The main components of the composition:
- Gamma, delta and alpha-tocopherols (isomeric compounds that make up vitamin E) are powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by external factors. The intake of the isomers alone (alpha-tocopherol acetate, which is sold in pharmacies) leads to the destruction of the rest of its constituents and does not benefit the body. In pumpkin seeds, vitamin E is contained in its entirety in a well absorbed form. Regular intake of the product effectively restores and protects prostate cells.
- Phytosterols (plant hormones), of which beta-sitosterol is particularly important. This substance prevents the uncontrolled proliferation of prostate cells by suppressing the activity of dihydrotestosterone.
- Minerals: iron (in 100 g almost 100% of the daily value), copper, selenium, potassium, cobalt, zinc.
- Complex of B vitamins
- Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (omega-6, linoleic, oleic).
- Chlorophyll is a substance with strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative (regenerating) properties. With bacterial prostatitis, it is taken in pill form.
Zinc is particularly important for the health of the prostate gland, as it regulates the activity of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone under the influence of which prostate cells begin to grow (hyperplasia develops). The prostate contains more zinc than any other organ. With its deficiency, the cell membranes of the glands become vulnerable and local immunity decreases.
Regular intake of pumpkin seeds helps prevent the exacerbation of chronic prostatitis. Immune protection is improved at the cellular level, the tissues of the prostate again acquire the ability to resist the factors that cause inflammation. The seeds are also useful for prostate atrophy.
Damage
Pumpkin seeds shouldn't be overused. This product has a number of contraindications:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Gallstones.
- Diarrhea of various origins. Pumpkin seeds have a mild laxative effect.
- Aggravation of gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, acidity.
- Pancreatitis.
- Individual intolerance.
Pumpkin seeds should not be discarded if the stool is slightly loose in the first few days. Digestion will soon return to normal.
Recipes
Pumpkin seeds for prostatitis can be used in various forms. The simplest recipe is 50 raw pieces per day. Squeezed oil is also useful (it's not worth pushing it home - it's laborious and economically inexpedient). The important thing is not to subject the seeds to heat treatment. Heating will deprive the product of most of its beneficial properties and transform some of them into toxins (as in the case of honey): most of the vitamins will be lost, the oils will oxidize.
Pumpkin balls
Pumpkin balls are a healthy and easy-to-prepare dessert. Recipe:
- Grinds 500 g of seeds;
- Mix with 300 g of honey (medium density);
- Refrigerate until solid;
- Roll into cherry-sized balls.
The resulting candies are stored in the refrigerator. For the prevention of prostatitis and during its treatment, it is necessary to dissolve a ball in the morning on an empty stomach. The course lasts until the last candy.
Pumpkin and honey paste
Pumpkin and honey paste is a lazy variation of honey balls. To cook it is also necessary to grind 500 g of seeds, combine them with 300 g of honey and put them in the refrigerator. You can add nuts to the recipe.
Take a teaspoon of pasta before breakfast and dinner. The course lasts 3-4 weeks.
Pumpkin flour
Pumpkin flour is obtained by grinding the seeds in a blender. In this form, the product is digested faster and easier to digest. Take a teaspoon before breakfast and dinner. The course lasts a month and a half.
Pumpkin flour sticks to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, so it is inconvenient to use it in its pure form. It can be mixed with honey, milk, water in a 1: 1 ratio.
There is a special method of cleansing the body: for three weeks in the morning on an empty stomach, take two tablespoons of flour from pumpkin seeds and the same amount of kefir.
With garlic
Taking pumpkin seeds with garlic (learn more about using garlic for prostatitis) solves several problems at once:
- Improved prostate function.
- Purification of blood vessels.
- Get rid of helminths.
Cooking recipe: grind 200 g of seeds, 6 cloves of garlic in a blender, add two tablespoons of honey. Insist for 12 hours. Take one tablespoon once a day on an empty stomach. The course of treatment is 5 days.
With vegetable oil
Pumpkin seeds with oil are not only useful for prostatitis, but also effective for cleansing the liver.
How to cook:grind 200 g of pumpkin seeds, add 200 g of olive, linseed or sesame oil, heat slightly in a bain-marie, then leave to act for two hours. Take one teaspoon three times a day for three weeks.
Tortillas
Pumpkin seed pies are suitable for fasting therapy, which is very helpful in relieving the symptoms of chronic prostatitis.Recipe:
- Grind 100 g of seeds in a blender, add 50 g of cocoa powder, one teaspoon of sugar;
- Stir until smooth;
- Divide the resulting dough into 12 parts;
- Shape the cakes, put them in the refrigerator.
During the course of treatment (12 days), it is necessary to eat a focaccia in the morning on an empty stomach, then stick to a vegetarian diet.
Mixture to normalize urination
The mixture prepared according to the recipe below has anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, diuretic and analgesic effects. Suitable for acute prostatitis.
You will need 100 g each of the following components:
- Pumpkin seeds.
- Flax and hemp seeds.
- Blackberry leaves.
- Elderflower, St. John's wort, linden.
Pour 50 g of chamomile into the mixture. Pour 500 ml of boiling water on four tablespoons of collection, leave for two hours. Divide the entire resulting volume into four doses and drink throughout the day.
Recipe number 2: take a spoonful of pumpkin seeds, black poplar buds, wild rose, ginseng root and goldenrod, pour 250 ml of boiling water, hold in a water bath for 15 minutes (without boiling). Drink fresh and filtered 100ml of the drink twice a day. The course of treatment is three weeks.
Salads
Pumpkin seeds can be used to make not only sweets but also healthy snacks. Salads with the addition of seeds are included in the menu for various forms of prostatitis.
Autumn salad
Ingredients:
- 50 g of raw carrots;
- 50 g of raw pumpkin pulp;
- A spoonful of pumpkin seeds;
- A tablespoon of sour cream.
Grate vegetables on a coarse grater, mix with seeds, season with sour cream.
With spinach
Spinach salad is not recommended for men with calcareous prostatitis. Ingredients:
- 50 g each of pumpkin seeds, spinach, parsley.
- A carrot.
- A clove of garlic.
- 20 g of lemon juice.
- To taste: rosemary, thyme.
Grate the carrots on a coarse grater, chop the vegetables, add the seeds. Mix the lemon juice with the rosemary, thyme and oil, leave for 10 minutes, dress the salad.
Beetroot
Components:
- 600 g of boiled beets.
- 50 g of pumpkin seeds.
- 150 g of sour cream.
- Two tablespoons of freshly grated horseradish root.
- A teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Salt to taste.
Cut the beets into arbitrary slices, add the seeds. Seasoning: mix sour cream, horseradish, salt and cinnamon.
How to choose seeds
Characteristics of quality pumpkin seeds suitable for the treatment of prostatitis:
- Raw (not fried);
- Absence of chips, stains, traces of mold;
- Not wet, well dried;
- No salt or other additives;
- Free of extraneous odors.
Store the seeds in a sealed glass jar placed in the refrigerator (oxidized fats at room temperature will spoil the product). The maximum storage time is 2 months.
Reviews of doctors
Doctors consider pumpkin seeds a useful product, and its medicinal properties are applicable not only for the treatment of prostatitis. The substances contained in the seeds maintain the tone of blood vessels and skin, increase the body's immune defenses and prevent hypertension.
The amino acid L-arginine, essential for the production of nitric oxide, is particularly highlighted by specialists. This substance relaxes the vascular walls and expands the lumen of the canal. For a man, this means good blood circulation and a safe erection. There is more L-arginine in pumpkin seeds than in veal or milk (recognized leaders in the content of this amino acid).
For prostatitis, doctors often prescribe preparations based on pumpkin seed oil: suppositories and capsules. Such funds have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect.
Reviews of men
“I regularly eat pumpkin seeds for general body strengthening, as well as for the prevention of prostatitis. I've loved them since childhood, so apparently I don't suffer from prostate inflammation like most of my colleagues. "
“Pumpkin seeds mixed with honey were recommended to me by a doctor who was treating me for an exacerbation of chronic prostatitis. I immediately canceled additional vitamin complexes. He said that simultaneous reception with seeds threatens with hypervitaminosis. I ate the mixture for a month, now after six months I don't notice any symptoms of prostatitis. Now I start a new preventive course ”.
Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds are a valuable product, but they should be consumed in doses. If there is an individual intolerance in the form of severe and prolonged diarrhea, rashes, the reception should be stopped. In the absence of negative reactions from the body, the seeds can be replaced with pumpkin seed oil, in which the concentration of nutrients is much higher.