Content
Melon seeds have been used in folk medicine for many centuries in a row. Many do not know that they are invaluable to humans. It is worth learning more about melon seeds and their use in medical practice.
Composition and calorie content of melon seeds
It is not for nothing that melon seeds have gained such popularity among folk remedies. Their composition is saturated with many rare and useful substances, which determine the unique healing properties of the product. Among them:
- rich spectrum of vitamins (B-groups, C, K, PP, A);
- no less diverse list of mineral compounds (Fe, Mg, K, Zn, I, Ca, P, Na, Se, Mn);
- pectin;
- fats;
- proteins.
The most significant concentration of B-group vitamins in melon seeds, which help to bring the nervous system in order. They also contain a lot of sodium, potassium, magnesium. The deficiency of these substances creates many difficulties with health and appearance. Disturbed digestion, chronic fatigue, problem skin and nails are far from the end of all the unpleasant symptoms that accompany such a state of the body.
The saturation of pectin makes melon seeds necessary for those people who live in megacities or ecologically unfavorable areas. Modern ecology, food quality, to put it mildly, leaves much to be desired. Pectin removes harmful substances from the body that are so saturated with the life around us: pesticides, salts of heavy metals, all kinds of poisons and toxins.
Despite the beneficial properties of melon seeds, they also have contraindications. The high fat content makes this product quite high in calories - 500 kcal per 100 g. Therefore, when taking melon seeds as a remedy, care must be taken not to affect the figure. Otherwise, the treatment will not be beneficial, because, as you know, being overweight is the source of most health and mood problems.
Is it possible to eat melon seeds
Melon seeds are recommended to eat for the purpose of healing and strengthening the body, its protective properties. But there are a number of cases when they are contraindicated for admission:
- ulcerative lesion of the gastrointestinal tract;
- high acidity of the stomach;
- individual intolerance to the product.
Melon seeds should never be mixed with alcohol. It is advisable not to use them together with milk of animal origin, honey.
How are melon seeds useful?
Melon seeds have a wide range of healing properties. Most often they are used in the form of an aqueous emulsion. The seeds should be thoroughly crushed in a mortar, after which warm boiled water is gradually added to them. The resulting mixture should be filtered through a homemade filter, which is a multi-layered piece of gauze. The concentrate obtained in this way is taken 1/2 cup each time before meals with:
- cough;
- urolithiasis;
- polluted intestines.
This medicine increases the amount of urine that is separated, has a healing effect on the liver, kidneys, urinary tract, and eliminates the burning sensation accompanying some diseases when urinating.
The drug cleans the liver and bile ducts, intestinal tract, pancreas. Reduces the risk of diabetes mellitus, eliminates many of its symptoms, and prevents the development of complications. The mineral elements contained in melon seeds act on the biliary tract, freeing them from stagnant secretions, relieve cholecystitis. Uric acid is removed, thereby preventing the formation of stones and sand in the urinary tract.
Raw materials exhibit therapeutic activity in many skin diseases: dermatitis, rashes of various origins. Helps to remove phlegm with bronchitis, serves as a good prevention of asthma. Regulates the content of fat in the blood, liver. This property is used in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Melon seeds serve as a good immunostimulant, strengthen and have a healing effect on the entire body.
Why are melon seeds useful for women
The high content of folic acid has a beneficial effect on the health of the female reproductive system. Due to its presence, melon seeds are beneficial during menopause. During menstruation, seeds will help normalize a woman's emotional background, relieve depression and irritability.
Can melon seeds during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Melon seeds are extremely useful for expectant mothers with a rich and varied composition. They contain such important elements for a pregnant woman and her fetus as folic acid, vitamins C, B-groups and many others. It is better to talk to a specialist about the benefits and dangers of melon seeds for women during pregnancy.
Ancient oriental medicine recommends taking 9 grams of hulled melon seeds to quickly increase the amount of human milk. If the expected increase in milk separation has not occurred, then the dose of seeds taken can be increased to 15 g.
The benefits of melon seeds for men
Since the time of Avicenna, melon seeds for men have been considered the most effective way to increase their libido. For this, it was recommended to take no more than 2 g of grains.
A significant concentration of zinc in melon seeds enhances potency, raises the quality of sperm, improves its mobility.
Can melon seeds for children
Sometimes melon seeds are recommended for children as well. Due to the essential content of folic acid, the drugs increase the capabilities of memory, intelligence, and help to concentrate. Thanks to these properties, they are especially useful for schoolchildren and students.
The use of melon seeds in traditional medicine
The benefits of melon seeds for the body are manifested in many ways. Taking a decoction of seeds to cleanse and heal the liver, you can simultaneously improve the condition of other body systems.
In medicinal recipes, raw materials are taken in dry, crushed form. The powder is used to prepare various forms of medicinal preparations usually used in folk medicine: milk from melon seeds, cocktails, water infusions and hot extracts. Do not fry the seeds, since heat treatment neutralizes most of the beneficial aspects of the raw material.
Sprouted melon seeds are not used in medical practice. In this form, they become inedible, as they acquire toxic properties, bitterness. The consumption of melon seeds is not recommended to be combined with the intake of alcoholic beverages.
To grind the seeds into powder at home and make something like flour out of them, you must resort to using a coffee grinder, a grinder for seasonings and spices. In order to cleanse the organs involved in digestion (liver, intestines), take a teaspoon of powder in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Melon oil
Melon oil, made from seeds, has significant healing potential. To get the full range of useful properties given by nature to this product, it is necessary to add it not during cooking, but in ready-made dishes.
With melon oil you can:
- get rid of stones in the urinary tract, including the kidneys;
- improve the condition and functionality of the liver;
- affect blood sugar levels;
- get rid of "bad" cholesterol;
- speed up metabolism;
- strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Recommended regimen: one tablespoon with food, three times throughout the day. The duration of treatment is 2-3 months.
For diseases of the upper respiratory tract
Melon seeds can be used to make nutritious and healthy drinks that will also taste good. To cleanse the lungs of viscous, hard-to-separate phlegm, there is a recipe based on raw grains and fibers taken from the core of the fruit.
Put the above ingredients in a blender bowl, add 0.5 liters of drinking water, a little honey or a sweetener. Beat everything at the highest speed so that the melon seeds are chopped as much as possible. You can add spices to add an interesting flavor. Take up to 5 times a day for a quarter of a glass.
Dried melon seeds are useful for bronchitis, a difficult cough to heal. Grind, mix with water (1: 8), stir thoroughly. Strain, lightly sweeten. Take cup five times a day.
With diseases of the genitourinary system
For urolithiasis, grind melon seeds and measure 3 tbsp. l. raw materials. Add a liter of milk and simmer for 4 minutes. Take a glass three times a day. Instead of cow's milk, it is good to use vegetable milk, for example, soy, rice, oatmeal, or any other.
To remove stones, boil 1 kg of melon seeds in 5 liters of water until a little more than half of the original volume remains. Cool, distribute in separate containers, put on the refrigerator shelf. Drink half a cup three times before meals.
The beneficial properties of melon seeds are also shown in the infusion. Pour a glass of melon powder overnight with 3 liters of chilled boiled water. Drink during the day, replacing water and other drinks with infusion. This remedy is also effective against worms.
With kidney stones
Cook a tablespoon of crushed melon seeds for 10 minutes in 0.25 liters of water. After cooling, strain, take half a cup twice a day for kidney disease as a diuretic. The broth also serves as a good cosmetic remedy for spots, freckles, acne.
For diseases of the prostate gland
For urination disorders in men and to improve the condition of the prostate gland, prepare a decoction with one tablespoon of melon seeds and a cup of vegetable milk.
For potency
To treat impotence, eat a teaspoon of melon powder one hour after each meal, 3-4 times throughout the day. Or another treatment option for the same problem. The daily intake of melon flour should be 100 g. It must be taken twice, before and after sleep. You can also eat a little honey to ease the strain on the spleen.
The beneficial properties of melon seeds are also useful for male infertility caused by insufficient sperm motility. It is necessary to regularly consume melon seeds in their natural form. This treatment option is also suitable for getting rid of prostate adenoma.
With diabetes mellitus
The benefits of melon milk from seeds are also necessary for diabetics. With this disease, steam one tablespoon of flour with a cup of water. Take on an empty stomach three times a day.
Beat in a blender 200 ml of water, a teaspoon of honey, melon seed powder. Take a cocktail up to 5 times a day for a half month.
With cholecystitis, pancreatitis
In the complex therapy of cholecystitis, an infusion is used, prepared from a teaspoon of powder and a glass of vegetable milk. Simmer the mixture over the fire for no more than 4 minutes. Apply three times a day for a week. To improve the outflow of bile, it is enough to dry the melon seeds in the fresh air and eat them. In addition, the product can improve the secretory activity of the pancreas.
Eating melon seeds is undesirable under the following conditions:
- increased secretion of gastric juice;
- spleen problems;
- the presence of toxicosis in pregnant women, since the seeds slow down the excretion of acetone.
Generally, melon seeds are very useful during pregnancy, but their quantity should not exceed 100 g per day. Otherwise, constipation and unpleasant symptoms in the stomach may develop, so a doctor's consultation is necessary.
The use of melon seeds in cosmetology
In cosmetology, melon broth is rightly called the "elixir of youth." Rejuvenation of the skin and other elements of appearance occurs due to the high content of zinc. The extracts obtained from the seeds strengthen the nail plates, give the hair shine and splendor.
Pour a tablespoon of melon seeds with a cup of boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. The result is something like cosmetic milk. They can wipe the skin, rinse the hair after washing, make therapeutic baths for hands and nails.
How to select, dry and store melon seeds
The benefits and contraindications of melon seeds largely depend on the quality of drying and storage. Thoroughly dried raw materials are well preserved. The whole spectrum of useful properties is possessed by grains of ripe melons.
Select seeds from the cut pulp, rinse them on a sieve under running water, drain excess water. Dry at a temperature not higher than + 35- + 40 degrees.
Under proper conditions, seeds can be stored for a very long time - up to 8 years, without losing their qualities. After the end of drying, they are distributed in paper, linen bags, sachets. Storing under-dried seeds in plastic bags will cause mold growth. Therefore, for long-term storage, sealed glass jars and bottles are often used.
Conclusion
Melon seeds in folk medicine are no less important than the pulp of a fruit. Therefore, one should not rush to throw away seemingly unnecessary seeds. Their beneficial properties are used to address many health problems.
