BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!

Subject: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 03:22 PM

Since last December when my doc and I figured out I am allergic to most prescription diuretics, I've been having a hard time with my blood pressure and edema. Certain things seemed to help a little, but not enough, including hawthorn berry, dandelion root, and motherwort tinctures, as well as various teas. My doc, an enlightened soul, said he'd order me some magnets for my shoes if I'd like as he has a couple of patients who do well with them. I passed.

I started on co-enzyme Q-10 and flaxseed oil capsules about 4 and 2 weeks ago, respectively and, until last week, had my bp down to acceptable high-normal levels. Last week, it went way up and I thought it was just due to stress of the war starting and all. I still think that has something to do with it. It got so bad that for two days I took the dreaded diuretic, once again. Once again, I was wracked with pain and itching and couldn't sleep.

The next day, I was trying to remember what else was different that might have made it go up and lo and behold! I realised I'd had run out of pumpkin seeds! I'd been eating a handful a day for about a week or so, just because they tasted so good. So, I asked Rog to pick some up, started eating them, again 3-4 days ago, and my bp is lower and better than it ever was on the drugs!

I did some research and found that even respected medical insitutions such as Brigham & Women's hospital tout the efficacy of pumpkin seeds in treatment for cardiac health, bp, and other challenges, including men's prostates.

So, I've finally found something that works for me and no side effects! In fact, I've also lost four pounds since getting on them!! This is a major breakthrough for me as I seem to be especially sensitive to drugs, hate doing them, and can finally not fret so much over my bp!

Check them out, not the salty things you get at a mini-mart, but the sumptuious ones you can get at a health food store. My favs are flavourd with tamauri. Who knows? They may help you feel better, too, and you don't have to have high bp or any other ailments to benefit.

Vive la naturel!

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 03:24 PM

Diverticula Alert !!!

Pumpkin, Sesame, and Sunflower Seeds are all especially risky.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 03:29 PM

Ouch! Glad I don't have that problem!

Well, maybe the flaxseed oil would help?

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: Peg
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 04:56 PM

I use ground raw pumpkin seeds on my cat's food when she has a tapeworm. Works like a charm to expel parasites.

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 05:41 PM

Yes, Peg, that is another use I saw listed for them, in humans, also. In fact, one place said that imdigenous peoples have known about that for a long time.

Just a note, I didn't mean that pumpkins seeds will work like magic for anyone. Your mileage may vary.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: Allan C.
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 06:30 PM

I've been told they work best if they are removed from the pumpkin before swallowing.

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: MMario
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 07:14 PM

luv pepitas...

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 07:45 PM

Kat I'm happy to hear you have found something that is working for you! If you have ever studied Chinese healing, pumpkin and squash seeds have a neutral thermal nature. They influence the colon and spleen-pancreas. Not only diuretic but high in zinc and omega-3. Like flax, also high in omega-3 and 6. I have read that roasting will damage omega-3 fatty acids though. Just a reminder to you Kat, tamari is just a wheat-free soy sauce, high in sodium. About 940 mg. per Tbls. If it works for you, that's all that counts!
To your health! Peace. Rustic
PS- I have always had great blood pressure. I eat raw garlic every day and deep breathing exersises.

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 08:04 PM

Thanks, RR! I go to an acupuncturist and yes, have studied some TCM. I didn't know that about the pancreas and spleen, though; should help with the blood sugar getting low, too, I should think, then.

I did check the sodium on the seeds I get. They are pretty low, about 5% of the RDA, plus I don't use salt on anything else, so I am pretty careful.

I keep thinking I will get back into garlic, again, too, but it just doesn't *feel* right for me right now, despite all of its great properties. Have always done deep breathing which drives the docs nuts. They can't figure out how I can be on O2 for a leaky valve and still be able to draw and hold such deep breaths! It's pretty funny when they get out their meters and start measuring. Last time the gal kept saying "okay, you can breath out now" and I wasn't done breathing in!

Allandarlin'...very phunny!*bg*

Me, too, MMariosweetie...reminds me of that Kliban cat song:

Love to eat them pepitas
Pepitas what I love to eat
Bite they tiny heads off
Nibble on they tiny feet

Haha! Okay, well, the cat sings it about mousies!

Thanks, ya'll,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: Kaleea
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 03:33 AM

Punkin seeds? How 'bout poppy seeds? Can you tell me how to get--how to get some sesame seeds? Wouldn't peyote seeds be more fun? Oh, yeah, ummm, right, they're buttons, not seeds!

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 04:03 AM

LOL!!

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: sian, west wales
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 05:38 AM

Used to give my dog pumpkin seeds for his prostate problems. Seemed to work fine, at a fraction of the vet costs ...

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 05:42 AM

I've already had over 8" of my Sigmoid Colon removed because of Diverticulitis - so I think I'll give them a miss !

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 10:53 PM

My little laugh-puss...this is coming into the third season.

Confront your promises of the past.

Grow the garden.

Exercise more. (The World Health Organization WHO suggests ONE hour a day)

Take off the excess weight

Your salvation is much more than seeds.

Sincerely

Gargoyle

If not you.... who? If not now...when?

Subject: RE: BS: Pumpkin Seeds - alternative med!
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 12:25 AM

Ah, goylegargdarlin'...you do love me!

Since you asked: I have lost four pounds in the past week! I am exercising more on a new recumbent exercycle and walking the dog. You remember the border collie from hell, right?

I will grow the garden when my raised bed tables are built and placed close enough to the house for my O2 line to reach.

Now, remind me where the hell I said I was going to grow anything, three seasons ago? CRS has struck, even amongst us youngsters.

kataflutter


kat