Pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America. Seeds from related plants have been found in Mexico dating back over 7000 years to 5500 B.C. Native Americans used pumpkins as a staple in their diets for centuries and for food and medicines. They also flattened strips of pumpkin, dried them and made mats. Early settlers ate pumpkin as a staple in their diet. Colonist filled a hollowed out shell with milk, honey, and spices, then baked it in hot ashes. This is considered the origin of the pumpkin pie. After discovering the health benefits of pumpkins, the era of producing pumpkin seed oil has started.
Pumpkin seed oil is a great healthy choice to spice up your life and bring an amazing taste to your food. Pumpkin seed oil was given as a royal medication in various parts in the history of mankind. Today modern medicinal practices even use the inclusion of pumpkin seed oil and their extracts to bring effect of their creations.
To obtain the pumpkin seed oil, the seeds are removed from the pumpkin, mostly manually. The seeds are ten cleaned by washing and left to dry. Upon drying, the seeds are left for cold pressing procedure. The resultant oil is dark/green to black in color. This is then stored in bottles for use.
It has been scientifically proven that pumpkin seed oil regulates blood cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of heart ailments.It contains essential fatty acids (Omega-6 and Omega-9), which works to normalize the blood cholesterol level in the body, reduce the blood pressure and prevent the occurrence of hypertension. It contains fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin E and K), which works to build up the body’s resistance against free radicals and bleeding problems. Pumpkin seed oil is a very good source of anti-oxidant vitamin E. It prevents tissue cells from the free radical mediated oxidant injury. Pumpkin kernels are an also excellent source of B-complex group of vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) and folates. These vitamins work as co-factors for various enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism in the human body.Furthermore, it contains very good levels of essential minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.
Taken together, it’s clear that pumpkin seed oil has significant benefits for skin health and skin care. With powerful antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, it appears that adding pumpkin seed oil to your skin care regimen will help you retain moisture, maintain normal cell structure, and keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
Characteristics and uses:
• Culinaryuses;
• Helps improve the kidneys function;
• Prevents hair loss;
• Helps prevent osteoporosis;
• Skin care;
• Diabetes;
• Increase breast milk supply.
