Pumpkins are nourishing and healing. The flesh is used (canned, pure pumpkin without spices or puree made at home from cooked flesh) to regulate the bowels of  dogs.  Adding a quarter cup for very large dogs, two tablespoons for medium size and one tablespoon for small dogs to each feeding will balance the digestive system, relieving constipation or diarrhea.

 

Pumpkin flesh is full of beta-carotene and enzymes. It can be fed to  horses, cubed and added to mashes (raw), 2 to 3 cups daily. The enzymes that fresh, raw foods provide are essential to the health of all species. Enzymes are used by the body for digestion, joint health, brain function and detoxification.

 

Pumpkin Seeds support  human prostate health and are anti-parasitic. The seeds contain 30% fixed/volatile oils; starches, protein, and an anti-parasite property from a resin that is also supported by a physical "scraping" clean effect from the hulls of the seeds. Pumpkin seeds can be brewed as an infusion and used for tea for people or dogs, as a drench for horses to strengthen the renal system. Use fresh seeds for brewing; buy the dry seeds at a health food market or dry them yourself to add to salads, soups, yogurt (unsalted), etc.

 

 

To dry the seeds yourself, soak them in warm water and use your hands to remove the fibers and flesh from the seeds. Place the seeds on cookie sheets or on drying screens and keep them in a hot, dry place until no moisture remains (I've used my car on a sunny day or the oven on 300 degrees). Store them in airtight containers. The pretty green seeds can be added to bread dough, muffins, cake batter, "meatless" meatloafs (or meatloafs if you eat animal flesh) and fruit dishes (unsalted seeds). You can soak your seeds in salted water before drying if you want the salt (use Celtic or Crystal, healthy salts). Pumpkin seeds are the main addition to herbal or "natural" deworming compounds for people and small animals. Natural dewormers for horses contain Diatomaceous Earth (do not inhale it or get it in anyone's eyes!), wormwood, garlic, etc. - pumpkin seeds are not the equine choice because the amount needed to "de-worm" such a large herbivore could possibly cause an impaction.

 

The FDA has not approved any of these statements and we do not diagnose or prescribe for you or your animals. We hope you enjoy this information and remember, consult a holistic health practitioner in cases of injury or illness. Pumpkins have nourishing, health supporting properties - so don't toss that jack-o-lantern or the seeds!!*

 

*don't use any pumpkin or melons for ingestion it there is mold present