Autumn is the time for the best fruits of the earth. By the end of August - beginning of September, melons ripen on melons. They are brought to the bazaars, where mountains of fragrant yellow fruits attract crowds of customers. There is probably no person who would say that he does not like the taste of ripe melon. Its beneficial properties are well known. But what about the seeds? We throw them without regret into the bin, but in vain. The medieval Persian scientist and doctor Ibn Sina (Avicenna) would have condemned us for this. In his treatises on medicine, he devoted much space to the usefulness of melon seeds. We offer you a closer look at this unusual medicine.
Microbiological composition and useful properties
Modern scholars have gone further than Ibn Sina and decomposed melon seeds into molecules. It turned out that 100 g of seeds contains: potassium (96 mg), sodium (26 mg), zinc (0.1 mg), magnesium (10 mg), calcium (8 mg), iron (1 mg) and copper (0 24 mg). In addition, they have many vitamins: C, PP, B6, B9 and A. Their fat is 77%, and the rest are proteins and carbohydrates.
A large amount of potassium is the first sign that melon seeds are most important for men. Potassium improves sperm quality and potency.
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is necessary for pregnant women for the proper development of the fetus.
Decoction from melon seeds helps to remove low-density cholesterol and lower blood sugar. This is an indicator of the need to introduce melon seeds into the diet of patients with diabetes.
Patients with cholecystitis suffering from pain in the gallbladder and obstruction of the ducts should also drink the decoction of melon seeds - this will save them from stagnant rancid bile.
The substances contained in melon seeds help the excretion of uric acid, which is the prevention of urolithiasis, and is also recommended for obesity.
Expectorant properties of seeds will be useful in case of respiratory disease.
Preparing seeds for a decoction
From ripe melon, you need to scrape seeds, rinse thoroughly and arrange for drying. Do not touch the fibers yet - they are easier to remove from dry seeds. Place the seeds on a baking sheet and place in a non-hot oven, leaving it ajar. Seeds must be periodically turned over and shaken. When they are completely dry, rub between the palms and separate the fibers. Dry the seeds at room temperature. Store in a glass jar, away from light and damp. Before preparing the infusion, you need to take the required amount of seeds and grind in a coffee grinder. Brew and drink the resulting powder in accordance with the following recommendations.
For therapeutic purposes, you can use fresh, ripe crushed seeds, but in no case overripe or started to germinate. In such seeds, a completely different ratio of trace elements.
Infusion for diabetics
The properties of melon seeds for patients with diabetes mellitus are obvious - the infusion of crushed seeds helps to lower the concentration of sugar in the blood and strengthens the body's resistance to other diseases often associated with diabetes.
To prepare the medicine, you need to grind the dried seeds in a coffee grinder (1 tbsp. Spoon), pour one glass of boiling water, let it brew a little, divide it into three portions and drink it during the day before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Infusion for problems in the genitourinary system
Whole melon seeds, you can fresh, are poured with hot water (for 1 cup of seeds - 3 liters of water) and left for 12 hours for infusion. This is usually done in the evening. The next day they filter and drink without restriction throughout the day.
Another recipe is more complicated. For it, you need to take 1 kg of raw seeds, pour boiling water and cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Then cool, strain and bottle. Keep refrigerated. Drink heated 100 ml three times a day.
Infusion for men with prostate inflammation
The benefits of melon seeds for men have been tested and confirmed many times. For urinary retention and pain, the following method is recommended: a tablespoon of crushed seeds should be poured with hot milk and put in a water bath for half an hour. The resulting jelly should be drunk three times a day, one glass each.
In addition, inflammation of the prostate gland is successfully treated in a simpler way. It is necessary to grind the seeds and eat one tablespoon in the morning, before meals, and in the evening, before going to bed.
When a feeling of heaviness appears in the lower hypochondrium (spleen), it is recommended to mix a little honey with the seeds. Melon seeds in combination with honey extremely increase and strengthen male sexual potency.
Infusion for colds
A debilitating dry cough with bronchitis will help cure melon milk. Seeds need to be slightly dried and freed from the hard shell. Place in a mortar and grind thoroughly with a small amount of water until a homogeneous porridge. In color, it resembles milk. Add honey to taste and drink two tablespoons several times a day before meals. One or two days are enough for the patient's condition to improve, sputum begins to stand out and the feeling of dryness and thirst disappears.
Infusion for patients with cholecystitis and pancreatitis
Melon seeds are an excellent choleretic agent. They can be brewed, pre-milled in a mortar, or you can just eat their kernels in raw form, like ordinary seeds.
A very effective drug is obtained from seeds and honey. For five parts of honey, one part of the ground seeds is taken, mixed and stored in the refrigerator. A single dose of admission is 1 tablespoon. You can drink it with tea or warm water. Take 10 minutes before meals.
The following remedy will help to clean the kidneys, pancreas and excretory ducts from stones and sand. Dry seeds (100 g) together with the shell need to be passed twice through a meat grinder with a fine mesh. Pour with hot milk (1 liter) Insist a day, and the next day, eat the resulting jelly at a time.
The drug, prepared in a slightly different way, has the same effect. Grind 1 cup of seeds in a coffee grinder, mix with a glass of oily hot milk and leave for two hours. Drink 100 ml every morning.
Melon medicine, being a strong diuretic, relieves pain and burning sensation when urinating.
Infusion for cosmetic procedures
Are melon seeds useful in cosmetology? Yes, of course. They can be called a universal means of beauty, as they are useful for people of different ages and sex. Regular drinking of ground seeds insisted on milk or water has a truly magical effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails.
A melon seed tonic whitens the skin, gives it a beautiful shade and makes it more elastic. Two or three tablespoons of the seed powder should be poured with a glass of hot water and boiled for 3 minutes. Leave under natural conditions until cool. Wipe face and body in the morning and evening.
Remarkably strengthens the nails of the melon jelly bath. Three tablespoons of ground seeds need to be poured with water and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. Then remove from the stove. When it cools down to a pleasant temperature, lower your hands in jelly for 20 minutes. After the specified time, remove your hands, wipe with a cloth and grease with cosmetic oil. This procedure is recommended to be done before bedtime, at night. By morning, the hands will look brilliant, almost like a queen.
For cosmetic purposes, it is worth making oil from melon seeds. It is inexpensive and very simple. You need to take any refined vegetable oil, pour them with crushed seeds and put in a dark warm place for a couple of weeks. Then strain and use as directed. Seeds do not need to be ground - just crush with a pestle in a ceramic mortar. Shredded in this way, they are easily separated from the oil.
Contraindications and Cautions
The beneficial properties of melon seeds are quite obvious, but can everyone recommend them for consumption? Unfortunately, as with all medicines, they have contraindications.
Decoctions of seeds increase the secretion of gastric juice and bile, so they should not be eaten on an empty stomach. And always combine with honey or milk.
In pregnant women, excessive intake of decoctions of seeds can cause toxicosis, because they interfere with the removal of acetone from the body. In addition, they can trigger constipation. However, in small quantities, pregnant women should still eat them. Being a diuretic, melon seeds will prevent excessive weight gain and the occurrence of swelling. But consultation with a doctor is required.