Bright orange pumpkins are synonymous with Autumn. Indigenous to North America, Native Americans used it both as a food and a medicine.
As the fire of Summer dims, our digestive systems need a little boost and the bright orange colour and associated cartenoids help our systems adjust to the new season (more on this in coming posts). Orange is also the colour of the second chakra, which governs the digestive system, so eating foods that are orange can help to balance and nourish.
What's in a pumpkin?
Pumpkins are high in antioxidants, like cartenoids, which help to neutralise free radicals -- the molecules that attack cell membranes, leaving them more vulnerable to damage. In addition, the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which scavenge free radicals in the lens of the eye are also present in large quantities.
They are packed with iron, zinc, and fiber. Iron, of course, is needed by red blood cells and is an excellent vegetarian source of this mineral. Zinc boosts the immune system and has been shown to be beneficial to joints and bones. And fiber is important for the whole digestive system.
But there are other parts of the pumpkin that are beneficial to us. The seeds are very high in protein; one ounce of seeds provides about seven grams of protein. They also contain copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. Their oil is high in phytosterols, plant-based fatty acids that are chemically so like cholesterol that they can replace it in the human body, so contributing to the reduction of blood cholesterol levels.
Pumpkin seed oil is also high in essential fatty acids (EFAs). EFAs have many benefits, among them the maintenance of healthy blood vessels and nerves and the lubrication of all tissues, including the skin. This oil also contains vitamin A, which (among other things) helps keep our eyes healthy and stimulates the T cells of the immune system to help fight off infection. And it has vitamin E, which acts like lutein and zeaxanthin to get rid of free radicals.
So make a soup (add some ginger for added benefits) or steam some pumpkin with toasted sesame seeds, tamari and rice, or even bake a typical American pumpkin pie! Whichever way you take your pumpkin, enjoy!
