21 Amazing Benefits Of Pumpkin For Skin, Hair And Health

Pumpkin is a vegetable that belongs to
the Cucurbita family which also includes squash, muskmelons and watermelons. It has gained immense popularity in the Unite States, particularly due to pumpkin pie and mainly for carving purposes during
Halloween. Its shape varies from oblong to oblate and the skin is thick, smooth, and slightly ribbed. The color of the inside flesh
varies from pale to dark green and orange to red. The edible seeds are present at the core of the pumpkin.
Pumpkins are winter squashes that are believed to have their origin in North America.
A pumpkin generally weighs about 4 to 8 kg
while the largest species of pumpkin can
weigh up to 34 kg. When cooked, pumpkin
has a mild, sweet flavour. An interesting fact
about pumpkins is that they are monoecious
plants, which means that they have both
male and female flowers on the same plant.
The female flower can be identified by the
small ovary at the bottom of the petals.
Pumpkins are mostly used for making soups
and pies. Pumpkin pie forms an important
traditional part of the Thanksgiving meal in
the United States. Being highly nutritious,
raw pumpkin is often juiced. This drink
provides various health benefits. Besides
being used as food, pumpkin is also used for
recreational purposes. For instance, it is
carved to make Jack-o’-lantern for Halloween
Night. Pumpkin is also known as ‘Kaddu’ in
Hindi, ‘Gummadi Kayi’ in Telugu, ‘Purangikkai’
in Tamil, ‘Mathanga’ in Malayalam,
‘Kumbalakai’ in Kannada, ‘Kolum’ in Gujarati,
‘Lal Bhopla’ in Marathi, and ‘Kumra’ in
Bengali.

Table Of Contents Pumpkin Skin Benefits

Pumpkin Hair Benefits
Health Benefits of Pumpkins
How to Select and Store?
Tips for Usage (Cooking / Eating):
Pumpkin Skin Benefits
Benefits of pumpkin is for all skin types,
particularly environmentally damaged or
sensitive skin. Here are the benefits of pumpkin for skin.
1. Treatment of Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, you can try a face pack
by mixing 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree
with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Apply
this on damp face and leave till it dries or up
to 30 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water
and then rinse with cold water. After this, you
can apply an appropriate moisturizer meant
for your skin type.
2. Treatment of Dry Skin
For dry skin, mix 2 teaspoons cooked or
canned pumpkin puree with ½ teaspoon
honey, ¼ teaspoon milk and ¼ teaspoon
heavy whipping cream. Apply this evenly on
your face avoiding the eye area let it settle
for 10-15 minutes. This mask exfoliates,
nourishes and conditions your skin. Rinse off
with warm water and apply a moisturizer
meant for your skin type.
3. Anti-ageing Benefits
Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin C which
is a powerful antioxidant and also contains
beta-carotene which helps to reverse UV
damage and improve skin texture. It helps to
promote the production of collagen, thus
improving your skin tone and elasticity. It
protects the skin from radical damage which
is responsible for causing wrinkles and even
skin cancer.
4. Treatment of Dark Spots
To fade dark spots, prepare a face pack by
mixing 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree, 1
teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil. Apply this mixture
on damp face for 30 minutes or until it dries
and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Pumpkin Hair Benefits
Besides its benefits in skincare, pumpkin
offers several benefits for your hair, thanks
to its rich nutritional value. As we all know,
hair follicles require adequate supply of
nutrients for their optimal growth and health.
Pumpkin is beneficial for your hair in the
following ways.
7. Promotes Hair Growth
Pumpkin is a rich source of minerals
including potassium and zinc. Potassium
helps in keeping hair healthy and improve re-
growth. Zinc helps maintain collagen and
thus play an important role in promoting
healthy hair. It also contains folate, an
important B vitamin that stimulates hair
growth by improving blood circulation.
8. Great Conditioner for Dry Hair
If you have dry hair, you can prepare a
simple hair conditioner using pumpkin. All
you need to do is mix 2 cups of chopped and
cooked pumpkin with 1 tablespoon coconut
oil, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon
yoghurt. Make a puree with the mixture of
pumpkin and yogurt in a food processor or
blender. Then add coconut oil and honey to
make a smooth mixture. Apply it to damp
shampooed hair, wear a plastic shower cap
and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse off
thoroughly and style as usual.
Health Benefits of Pumpkins
This brightly colored, “cheerful looking”
vegetable is rich in plenty of nutrients,
making it a very valuable vegetable from the
health perspective. It is a good source of
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, flavonoids
and antioxidants such as xanthin, carotenes
and leutin. It is also a good source of B
complex vitamins like folate, niacin,
pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and thiamin.
Mineral wise, it is rich in iron, copper,
potassium, calcium and phosphorus. The
health benefits of pumpkin include:
9. Low in Calories
Pumpkin is a very low calorie vegetable. 100
grams of pumpkin provide only 26 calories.
Most of the dieticians recommend pumpkin in
their weight reduction programs.
10. Rich Source of Beta Carotene
The distinctive bright orange color of
pumpkin indicates that it is a rich source of
beta carotene. People who eat a diet rich in
beta carotene are less likely to develop
cancer. Beta-Cryptoxanthin and carotenoids
in pumpkin decrease the risk of lung cancer
in smokers.
11. Reduces Asthma Attacks
The antioxidant properties of pumpkin protect
the respiratory system from infections,
reducing the asthma attacks.
12. Rich Source of Potassium
Potassium is an important mineral required
for proper functioning of the heart and
muscles. One serving of pumpkin provides
around 550 g of potassium, making it one of
the highest sources of potassium. You can
add pumpkin to your post workout snack or
meal for the extra potassium boost.
13. Reduces Risk of Heart Diseases
Pumpkin helps to get rid of build-up of
arterial deposits, thereby reducing the risk of
heart diseases and strokes. The high amount
of antioxidants in pumpkin also prevents
atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries). It
minimizes the risk of high blood pressure.
Pumpkin also has a high amount of
phytosterol, which is very similar to human
cholesterol. It normalizes the cholesterol to a
healthy level.
14. Boosts Immune System
Pumpkin provides ample amounts of
magnesium for maintaining muscle function
and boosting the immune system. It boosts
the immune system by increasing the
production of white blood cells in the body.
This builds a resistance to various kinds of
infections like cold, flu and fever.
15. Prevents Peptic Ulcer
Pumpkin is an amazing detoxifying food. It is
an innate diuretic, which is useful for flushing
out toxins and wastes from the body. The
medicinal properties of pumpkin calm the
gastrointestinal tract to prevent peptic ulcer.
16. Rich Source of Fiber
Pumpkin is a rich source of fiber. 1 cup of
cooked pumpkin contains 3 grams of fiber,
about 11 percent of your recommended daily
intake of fiber. This aids in digestion and
prevents constipation. It also keeps the
stomach full for longer periods of time.
17. Reduces Stress and Depression
Lack of tryptophan in the body often leads to
depression. Pumpkin is rich in L-tryptophan,
an amino-acid which reduces depression and
stress. The sedative properties of pumpkin
are very effective in curing insomnia.
18. Rich Source of Vitamin A
Pumpkin is an excellent source of Vitamin A.
This nutrient is required to keep the eye
healthy and maintain good vision. Zea-
xanthin in pumpkin has UV rays filtering
actions in the retina of the eyes. This
protects from the age-related macular
diseases in the elderly.
19. Prevents Inflammatory Diseases
Regular consumption of pumpkin also
reduces the risk of developing inflammatory
diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
20. Protects Against Prostate Cancer
The high content of carotenoids and zinc in
pumpkin protects against prostate cancer. It
prevents the enlargement of prostrate and
over stimulation of the male hormones that
cause prostate problems.
21. Rich Source of Vitamin K
Pumpkin is one of the best sources of
Vitamin K. It contains around 40% of the
daily recommended dose. Vitamin K is very
beneficial for the health of bones and heart.
Vitamin C in pumpkin is needed for proper
growth and repair of the tissues in the body.
One serving of pumpkins provides 20% of the
daily recommended dosage.
How to Select and Store?
Selection: Pumpkins are available in various
shapes, sizes and colors. They can grow up
to 100 pounds but the smallest ones with
tender flesh are most suitable for consuming.
The first step is to check the stem of the
pumpkin. Squeeze the stem to ensure that it
is solid and firmly attached. A soft stem
indicates that the pumpkin is not fresh and
will not last long. Examine the entire pumpkin
for soft spots and if you find any soft spot,
move on to the next one. The stem gives
character to the pumpkin. Hence, it should
not be lifted by its stem as it is more likely
to break.
As far as the color is concerned, it should be
uniform. Patches of green indicate that the
pumpkin was not ripe when picked and is not
likely to ripen further. The shape of the
pumpkin depends upon your personal
preference.
Select those pumpkins which are free from
blemishes, bruises and dents as these might
cause the pumpkins to rot quickly. Look
closely at the bottom of the pumpkin for
molds and pinholes. Molds on the pumpkin
indicate that it is already rotting while the
pinholes indicate that the insects have
started to eat the pumpkin and it is not likely
to last long. The pumpkins should be small
and heavy for their size as they have tender
and more flavorful flesh.
Storage: Pumpkins should be kept in a
cool, dark, dry and well ventilated
place, preferably an attic or spare room
at a temperature of 45 to 60 degrees
F. Pumpkins can last up to a month
and can be refrigerated for up to 3
months. Cooked pumpkin can be
stored up to 16 months in frozen or
canned form.
To increase their shelf life, the skin of the
pumpkins should be washed in chlorine
solution prepared by adding a tablespoon of
chlorine bleach to a gallon of water. This will
disinfect the skin and discourage the
formation of molds and rot. Dry immediately
to prevent spoilage. If any mold is visible,
wipe it off with vegetable oil.
Tips for Usage (Cooking /
Eating):
Pumpkins can be a great addition to both
savoury dishes and desserts since there are
numerous ways of cooking these squashes.
Pumpkins are needed to be cut into chunks
before proceeding to prepare them. Since
they have tough skins, they are needed to be
cut with a strong knife. Pumpkin should be
kept on a thick tea towel and then cut into
halves. If the skin is extremely thick, the
knife should be hammered in with a rolling
pin. After cutting the first side, the pumpkin
should be turned around to cut the other side
until it is split into two. The seeds should be
scooped out and the pumpkin can be cut into
quarters. You can cut the pumpkins into
chunks or wedges depending upon the
requirement of the recipe. The skin should be
peeled off until you want to roast it.
Pumpkins can be used in various ways some
of which are given below.
1. Pumpkins should always be cooked at
medium temperatures because high
temperature can cause their flesh to become
stringy. In case your pumpkin becomes
stringy while cooking, you can beat the pulp
with an electric mixer on high speed for about
10 seconds and then switch to low speed for
about 60 seconds. Strings should be wrapped
around the beaters to facilitate easy removal.
2. Cooked mashed pumpkins can be used in
cake and muffin recipes to impart moisture
and texture. Shelled pumpkin seeds can be a
healthy alternative to pine nuts in many
recipes.
3. For making pumpkin pies, you can either
use homemade pureed pumpkin or canned
ones. It is advisable to bake rather than
steam or boil pumpkin in order to alleviate
excess moisture. It should be mashed and
drained through cheesecloth before being
used in pies.
4. Roasted pumpkin is a delicious dish for
any occasion. For this purpose, pre heat the
oven at 210 degrees. Cut a half fresh
pumpkin into desired sized pieces. Place the
pumpkin on a baking dish with some oil
drizzled on top and mix with a metal spoon
to coat well. Sprinkle salt, pepper and
rosemary over the pumpkin and place it in
the oven. Take the dish out after half an
hour, mix the pumpkin and place it in the
oven for another half an hour or till it
becomes soft and brown.
5. Pumpkin seeds known as pepitas can be
roasted and enjoyed as snacks. You can
prepare a sweet and salty snack using these
seeds. Pre Heat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Spreading out the seeds on a baking sheet,
bake until dry for about 50 to 60 minutes.
Now increase the oven temperature to 350
degrees F. Taking out the dish, toss the
seeds with butter, sugar, salt and cinnamon
in a bowl. Now return the seeds to the baking
sheet, tossing occasionally until golden brown
for 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Pumpkin seed oil is an important by
product of pumpkin seeds. This oil can be
mixed with other oils for cooking, salad
dressings and other purposes due to its
strong flavor and color.
7. You can prepare a delicious soup by
combining pumpkin and leek. All you need to
do is heat the oil in a large saucepan over
medium heat. Then add leeks, celery and
garlic, cook until they become soft, for about
25 minutes. Stir in 1 ¾ teaspoons salt and ¼
teaspoon pepper. Ladle the soup into a
blender and blend until it is smooth. Pour it
in a bowl and top with rosemary.
8. Pumpkin chips are a healthy alternative to
potato chips. Heat about 1 ½ inches of
peanut oil in a soup pot over medium to high
heat. Gently add the pumpkin slices and
sauté for 3 minutes or until they turn golden.
The chips on being ready will begin to float
on the top. Carefully remove the chips from
the oil with the help of a slotted spoon and
place them on a paper towel-lined platter.
Season them with salt and serve.
9. Sautéed pumpkins is a delicious dish for
autumn. Heat 2 tablespoons butter over
medium heat in a large skillet and add about
1 ½ pounds of seeded, peeled and cut
pumpkin chunks. Then stir pieces to coat
well. Cover the skillet, cook until the pumpkin
chunks turn soft, mixing occasionally. Now
uncover the skillet and sauté for 15 minutes
or until the pumpkin is golden brown and
fork-tender. The sautéed pumpkin can be
seasoned with salt and pepper and drizzled
with maple syrup. It should be served warm.
10. You can prepare the delicious pumpkin
bread by combining canned pumpkin puree
with whole wheat flour. For this purpose, pre
heat the oven to 350 degrees F and coat two
loaf pans with cooking spray. Mix all-purpose
flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking
powder and salt in a large bowl. In another
large bowl, whisk egg whites, brown sugar,
pumpkin puree and oil. Add this pumpkin
mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.
Spread the batter into the prepared pans and
smoothen the top. Bake the loaves until their
tops turn golden brown for about 50-60
minutes. Turn the loaves out on to a wire
rack to cool completely. Your pumpkin bread
is ready.
Pumpkin is definitely a wonder vegetable with
some delicious recipes to choose from. And
also a few advantages for hair and body. Get
creative and dazzle your holiday guests with
our best pumpkin recipes, including starters,
soups and sweet pumpkin treats. Or try some
of the face or hair packs.