The origin of the pumpkin it is not clear: some of the species undoubtedly come from South America, and were only known by Europeans after the conquest of the New Continent. Other species, already known to the Greeks and Romans, would come from southern Asia instead. However in ancient times this vegetable did not enjoy great prestige, and was commonly considered a food suitable only for the lowest plebs.
The pumpkin it began to be commonly cultivated in Europe only from the XNUMXth century, when it was imported, in its perennial varieties, by Spaniards and Portuguese. As soon as the pumpkin was introduced in Europe, it struck the imagination more for its strange shape than for its possible use in food.
However, the long famines of those years soon brought down these prejudices, and little by little the pumpkin began to be appreciated even by the wealthiest social classes.
The therapeutic properties of the pumpkin are mainly concentrated in its semi. Their action vermifuge, devoid of the slightest toxicity, makes them an excellent remedy against pinworms e tapeworm, both for children and for wasted people.
Pumpkin pulp, thanks to its emollient action, is effective for soothing various acute diseases of the digestive tract such as enteritis, dysentery and as a diuretic.
Its content of protidi, carbs, Vitamins (A, B1, B2, C, PP) e I left minerals (potassio, magnesio, cloro, calcio, zolfo, sodio e ferro) la rendono preziosa per l numerosi disturbi.
In case of hypertrophy of the prostate it is advisable to consume peeled pumpkin seeds in good quantity and with a constant periodicity.
For external use, pumpkin, thanks to its emollient action, proves to be a good remedy against pains of various origins with burning sensation: to benefit from it, crush and apply the pumpkin pulp on the painful parts.
In cosmetics pumpkin pulp can be used to prepare a good emollient mask for normal or dry skin, as well as a mask for red and irritated skin: crush the pulp and reduce it into a broth with a little honey; apply it on the skin, keep it for 20-30 minutes, then rinse. It can be repeated several times a day.
