Pumpkin belongs to the genus Cucurbita and is a vegetable popular for pumpkin pie that is made traditionally during the Thanksgiving meals in United States. There are different varieties of pumpkins and they also differ in color. You get yellow, brown, bright orange, gray and white pumpkins. White pumpkin is commonly found in England. Here they are used for carving and decoration purpose. Pumpkins are decorated for Halloween, where people carve a face on it and it is hollowed out to put lighted candles inside it. White pumpkins are also used instead of orange pumpkins in many recipes, which include pumpkin pies, soups and so on. It has health as well as skin and hair benefits.
Benefits of White Pumpkin for Skin:
Anti-acne treatment:
Vitamins E and T, which s more popularly known as torulitine, are found in white pumpkin. These are acne fighting vitamins. So, white pumpkin is an important ingredient in many of the anti-acne products that help you to treat acne, blemishes and breakouts. Rubbing the fleshy side of pumpkin on your face twice daily can help your skin fight against blemishes.
Big Anti-aging benefits:
White pumpkin is a rich source of Vitamins A, C and E. Zinc is also found in high amounts in this vegetable. All these help in providing you a healthy and glowing skin. They increase the production of collagen and help in preventing the signs of aging from appearing on the skin. Have a cup of pumpkin seeds daily and this will keep your skin well nourished and hydrated. It also helps in preventing wrinkles from appearing on your skin. The fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAS) make your skin bright and smooth.
Good for oily and dry skin:
Vitamin E present in pumpkin seeds help in regulating the secretion of sebum. White pumpkin is an important ingredient in skin toners, anti-acne masks and peels, and helps in reducing the size of pores and in controlling the production of excess oil. It also prevents the appearance of whiteheads and blackheads.
The natural enzyme present in white pumpkin helps in dissolving dry skin cells. It is used in many of the skin care products that are used to heal cracked hands and feet. If your heels are dry and cracked, take 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pure and mix it with 2 tablespoons of Vaseline. Apply it on your heels at night. Leave it overnight by wearing socks and then wash off next morning.
Natural skin exfoliator:
By adding white pumpkins to exfoliators and moisturizers, you can remove dead skin cells and enhance the production of new cells. Since it has small molecular structure, it can penetrate deep into the skin. Hence it is great for treating dull skin, pigmentation and aging skin.
Prevents damage to the skin before it starts:
Your skin gets damaged when it is exposed to various environmental conditions like the sun, pollution, dust and so on. White pumpkin can help in treating your damaged skin. Vitamin A in it helps in soothing your skin and making it soft and smooth. Vitamin C present in white pumpkin acts as a powerful antioxidant ad protects your skin from the harmful actions of the free radicals. Pumpkin facial masks, peels and moisturizers are excellent for nourishing your skin and keeping it healthy and beautiful.
Benefits of White Pumpkin for Hair:
Promotes hair growth naturally:
Vitamin A is good for your scalp and this vitamin is found in high quantities in Pumpkin. It is also rich in potassium, which helps in preventing hair loss and increasing the growth of hair.
Perfectly helpful for dry or damaged hair:
Apply pumpkin along with coconut, yogurt and honey and this will help in treating dry and damaged hair. So, make pumpkin a part of your regular hair care regime and this will keep your hair well nourished and hydrated.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of White Pumpkin:
Anti-inflammatory:
You can treat arthritis and joint inflammation by consuming the green seeds of white pumpkin as they have anti-inflammatory properties. You can treat inflammation of the intestine by having herbal decoction of pumpkin pulp.
Beneficial for asthma sufferers:
White pumpkins contain antioxidants that can prevent infections in the respiratory system. They also reverse the effects of free radicals and protect your respiratory system. So you can reduce as well as heal asthma by consuming white pumpkins regularly.
Better and Strong immune system:
White pumpkin is rich in nutrients that help in giving a boost to your immune system. These help in increasing the production of white blood cells and also enhance their performance. As a result, your body will be able to resist various kinds of infection and remain healthy.
Good at Lowering cholesterol:
White pumpkin is rich in phytosterols, which has the power to maintain normal levels of cholesterol in the body. As a result your body is protected from certain cancers.
Keeps your eyes healthy:
White pumpkins contain lutein and zeaxanthin in high amounts, which are essential for protecting your eyes from the damage caused by free radicals. They are also good for preventing cataract, macular degeneration and astigmatism. So, consume white pumpkin regularly and this will ensure that your eyes remain healthy, as it is a rich source of Vitamin A.
Prevent prostate cancer:
Pumpkin and its seeds are loaded with carotenoids and zinc. These can protect you from prostate cancer. They prevent the prostate from getting enlarged as well as provide you relief from various bladder problems associated with it.
Treatment of peptic ulcers:
White pumpkin has medicinal properties and this makes it very effective for soothing your gastrointestinal tract. As a result, it helps in healing digestive issues as well as peptic ulcers.
Works as Anti-depressant:
You suffer from depression when the level of tryptophan is lowered in your body. White pumpkin is a rich source of L-tryptophan, which is an amino acid that cannot be produced by the body. This compound helps in getting rid of depressed mood and makes you happy, providing you a sense of well-being.