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Pumpkin-seed snack
The least dramatic recipe in the whole apothecary. A handful of raw pumpkin seeds. That is it.
The seeds must be raw and untoasted, and that is the only thing to be careful about. Toasting destroys cucurbitacin, the compound that works, and most seeds in the supermarket are toasted without it saying so clearly. Look for the ones still greyish-green and soft, not golden and crisp.
And let me say the same as with the garlic shot: if you suspect parasites, get a stool sample taken. Then you know what you are dealing with.
Ingredients
- A handful of raw, untoasted pumpkin seeds, about 30 g
Equipment
- Nothing. Perhaps a bowl.
Method
- 1
A handful of raw, unroasted pumpkin seeds daily.
Dosage
A handful daily, preferably on an empty stomach in the morning.
Chew them well. Whole seeds pass through largely unopened, and then they deliver nothing.
Drink a glass of water with them.
Shelf life
Raw seeds keep 3-6 months refrigerated in an airtight jar. They are high in fat and go rancid if kept warm.
Safety
If you suspect parasites, get a stool sample taken by your doctor. Actual intestinal worms are treated with medication that often works in a single dose, and it is not something to guess about for months.
Pumpkin seeds are high in fat and calories. A handful is a portion, not a bag.
They can cause wind and bloating at first if you are not used to them.
Allergy to pumpkin seeds exists, though rarely. Try a small amount first.
If you have trouble chewing, or have had bowel narrowing, grind the seeds rather than eating them whole.
Persistent abdominal pain, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, night-time itching around the anus, or fever belong with a doctor.
How the herbs work
Pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitacin, an amino-acid-like compound which in traditional and folk use has been employed against intestinal worms for centuries. It is thought to paralyse the worms'' musculature, so they lose their grip on the gut wall.
Cucurbitacin breaks down with heat. That is why the seeds must be raw. Toasted pumpkin seeds are a fine snack, but they are not this recipe.
The seeds are also rich in zinc, magnesium and iron, and zinc matters for the immune system.
The evidence is modest. There are a few small trials and long traditional use, but no large controlled studies. Treat them as a reasonable supplement, not a treatment.
The content here is general knowledge and folk herbal lore, not medical treatment. In illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding or alongside medication: always talk to your doctor first.