Pumpkin seeds are often used in folk remedies to treat 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 are not a substitute for medication.
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 by external factors. Taking only isomers (alpha-tocopherol acetate, which is sold in pharmacies) leads to the destruction of the rest of its constituents and does not bring benefits to 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), among which beta-sitosterol is especially important. This substance prevents the uncontrolled proliferation of prostate cells, suppressing the activity of dihydrotestosterone.
- Minerals: iron (in 100g almost 100% of the daily value), copper, selenium, potassium, cobalt, zinc.
- B vitamin complex
- Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (omega-6, linoleic, oleic).
- Chlorophyll is a substance with pronounced antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative (regenerating) properties. In bacterial prostatitis, it is taken in pill form.
Zinc is especially important for prostate health because it regulates the activity of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone under the influence of which the prostate cells begin to grow (development of hyperplasia). The prostate contains more zinc than any other organ. With their deficiency, the cell membranes of the glands become vulnerable and local immunity decreases.
Regular intake of pumpkin seeds helps to prevent the exacerbation of chronic prostatitis. Immune protection is increased 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 should not be overused. This product has several contraindications:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Gallstones.
- Diarrhea of various origins. Pumpkin seeds have a mild laxative effect.
- Worsening of gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, acidity.
- Pancreatitis.
- Individual intolerance.
Pumpkin seeds should not be discarded if the faeces are slightly loose in the first few days. Digestion will soon return to normal.
Recipes
Pumpkin seeds for prostatitis can be used in several ways. The simplest recipe is 50 raw pieces daily. The oil extracted from them is also useful (there is no point in putting pressure on them at home - it is laborious and economically inadequate). The main thing is not to subject the seeds to heat treatment. Heating will deprive the product of many of its beneficial properties and turn some of them into toxins (such as honey) - most vitamins will be lost, oils will oxidize.
Pumpkin balls
Pumpkin balls are a healthy and easy dessert to make. Revenue:
- Grind 500 g of seeds;
- Mix with 300 g of honey (medium density);
- Refrigerate until solid;
- Make cherry-sized balls.
The resulting sweets are stored in the refrigerator. For the prevention of prostatitis and during 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
The pumpkin and honey paste is a lazy variant of honey balls. To cook, you also need to grind 500 g of seeds, mix with 300 g of honey and place in the refrigerator. You can add nuts to the recipe.
Have a teaspoon of pasta before breakfast and dinner. The course is 3-4 weeks.
Pumpkin flour
Pumpkin flour is made by grinding the seeds in a blender. In this way, the product is digested more quickly and easier to digest. Take a teaspoon before breakfast and dinner. The course lasts one and a half months.
Pumpkin flour adheres 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 and water in a 1: 1 ratio.
There is a special method of cleaning the body: for three weeks in the morning on an empty stomach, take two tablespoons of pumpkin seed flour and the same amount of kefir.
With garlic
Taking pumpkin seeds with garlic (more about using garlic for prostatitis) solves several problems at once:
- Improved prostate function.
- Purification of blood vessels.
- Getting rid of helminths.
Culinary recipe: grind 200 g of seeds, 6 cloves of garlic in a blender, add two tablespoons of honey. Insist 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 beneficial for prostatitis, but also effective for cleaning the liver.
How to cook:grind 200 g of pumpkin seeds, add 200 g of olive oil, flaxseed oil or sesame seeds, heat slightly in a water bath and leave for two hours. Take a teaspoon three times a day for three weeks.
Tortillas
Pumpkin seed cakes are suitable for fasting therapy, which is very helpful in alleviating the symptoms of chronic prostatitis.Recipe:
- Grind 100 g of seeds in a blender, add 50 g of cocoa powder, a teaspoon of sugar;
- Stir until smooth;
- Divide the resulting dough into 12 parts;
- Form the cakes, place in the refrigerator.
During the course of treatment (12 days), you need to eat a flat cake in the morning on an empty stomach and then follow 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 of each of the following components:
- Pumpkin seeds.
- Flax and hemp seeds.
- Blackberry leaves.
- Elder flowers, St. John's wort, linden.
Pour 50 g of chamomile into the mixture. Pour 500 ml of boiling water over four tablespoons of the collection, leave for two hours. Divide the entire volume into four doses and drink throughout the day.
Recipe number 2: take a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds, black poplar buds, rosehips, ginseng root and goldenrod herb, pour 250 ml of boiling water, keep in a water bath for 15 minutes (without boiling)). Drink a cool 100 ml drink and strain it twice a day. The course of treatment is three weeks.
Salads
Pumpkin seeds can be used not only to make sweet desserts, but also for healthy snacks. Salads with the addition of seeds are part of the menu for various forms of prostatitis.
Autumn salad
Ingredients:
- 50 g of raw carrots;
- 50 g of raw pumpkin pulp;
- A tablespoon of pumpkin seeds;
- A tablespoon of sour cream.
Grate the vegetables on a coarse grater, mix with the seeds and season with the cream.
With spinach
Spinach salad is not recommended for men with calculous prostatitis. Ingredients:
- 50 g 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 and add the seeds. Mix lemon juice with rosemary, thyme and olive oil, leave for 10 minutes, season the salad.
Beet
Components:
- 600 g of cooked beets.
- 50 g of pumpkin seeds.
- 150 g of cream.
- Two tablespoons of grated fresh horseradish root.
- One teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Salt to taste.
Cut the beets into arbitrary slices and add the seeds. Sauce: mix the cream, horseradish, salt and cinnamon.
How to choose seeds
Characteristics of quality pumpkin seeds suitable for the treatment of prostatitis:
- Raw (not fried);
- No splinters, stains, traces of mold;
- Not wet, very dry;
- No salt or other additives;
- Free of foreign odors.
Store the seeds in a sealed glass jar placed in the refrigerator (fats oxidized at room temperature spoil the product). The maximum storage time is 2 months.
Medical evaluations
Doctors consider pumpkin seeds to be a useful product and its medicinal properties are not only applicable 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, receives special attention from specialists. This substance relaxes the vascular walls and expands the lumen of the canal. For a man, this means good blood circulation and a confident 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 usually prescribe pumpkin seed oil preparations: suppositories and capsules. These funds have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and regenerative effect.
Male reviews
“Periodically like pumpkin seeds for the general strengthening of the body, as well as for the prevention of prostatitis. I love them since childhood, so apparently, I don't suffer from inflammation of the prostate, 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 the additional vitamin complexes. He said that simultaneous reception with seeds threatens hypervitaminosis. I ate the mixture for a month, now after six months I don't notice the symptoms of prostatitis. Now I am starting a new preventive course ”.
Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds are a valuable product, but they must be consumed in the dosage. If there is an individual intolerance in the form of severe prolonged diarrhea, skin rashes, reception should be stopped. In the absence of negative reactions from the body, the seeds can be replaced by pumpkin seed oil, in which the concentration of nutrients is much higher.