What is the benefit of Pumpkin and Bottle Gourd ?

 What is the benefit of Pumpkin and Bottle Gourd ?

 

Names

1. In Quran it is called as YAQTEEN ) (يقطي )means a plant without branches) means it is creeper.

2. In English it is called as Pumpkin.

3. In common language it is called as Kaddu.

4. In Hadees, Pumpkin is called as Kar'a (القرع) and Dubba (الدبِء) .

5. Round Pumpkin is called Dubba & elongated Pumpkin is called as Kar’a.

Consideration: -

Many scholars consider bottle gourd (dudhi) as Dubba & Kar’a, but many consider pumpkin (Kaddu), we can consider both pumpkin & bottle gourd, but pumpkin refers stronger than bottle gourd. Bottle gourd is lauki (Dudhi). So we should eat both & both are considered as Sunnah, Though Allah Ta’ala knows better.

Quranic reference of it: -

1. In Chapter 37 (Sura) As-Saffat verse no. 139 to 146. In these verses the story of Prophet Yunus AS is told & Yaqteen is mentioned as climbers like tree

Translation: & We caused to grow over him a tree, a gourd.

Prophet ﷺ’s guidance about Pumpkin: -

A Feast: -

1. Narrated Anas Bin Malik  ؓ that, a tailor invited Rasoolullah ﷺ to a meal which he had prepared. I went with Rasoolullah ﷺ to that meal & the tailor served Rasoolullah ﷺ with barley bread ( خُبْزًا مِْ شَّعِ ير ) & soup of round pumpkin (بَِّءالد ) & cured meat. I saw Rasoolullah ﷺ picking the pieces of gourd from around the dish & since then I have kept on liking round pumpkin (بَِّءالد ).

[Bukhari: 5439; Book. 70; English vol. 7; Book. 65; Hadees. 350]

Nabi ﷺ had a slave (gulam) to who (respected) Nabi ﷺ had freed this slave became a tailor & invited (respected) Nabi ﷺ for a feast.

 

Liking of Pumpkin: -

2. Hazrat Anas Bin Malik  ؓ says that Nabi ﷺ liked (حب ) long pumpkin

“(القرع) very much.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3427; Book. 29, English vol. 4; Book. 29; Hadees. 3302]

 

Dubba (Pumpkin) used to increase the food: -

3. Narrated by Hakim Bin Jabir  ؓ that his father said: “I entered upon Nabi ﷺ in his house & He  had some of round pumpkin (بَِّءالد ), I asked ‘What is this?’ Nabi ﷺ replied ‘This is long pumpkin ( الْقَّرْعُ ), it is round pumpkin (بَِّءالد ) we augment our food with it”.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3429; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3304]

4. Jabir Bin Taariq  ؓ says that "I attended the assembly of Rasoolullah ﷺ & I observed, they were busy cutting round pumpkin (بَِّءالد )into pieces, I inquired 'What shall be made of this', He replied, It will be added in our food.

[Shama’il Muhammadiya: 161; Book. 26, English Book. 25, Hadees. 152]

 

Benefits & merits of Pumpkin: -

5. Hazrat Anas Bin Malik  ؓ says that Nabi ﷺ said that round pumpkin (بَِّء

الد ) increases the intelligence, brain function & increases brain strength.

[Kanz al-Ummal: 28277]

6. Hazrat Ataa Bin Ribah  ؓ says that Rasoolullah ﷺ said that long pumpkin )القرع( is present for you, which increases the intelligence & strengthens the brain )الدماغ( .

[Shobul Imaan: 5547]

7. Hazrat Wasila  ؓ says that Nabi ﷺ said that long pumpkin القرع( ) is present for you, which increases the intelligence )الدماغ( & lentils (masoor daal) العدس( ) is also present for you, which was eaten by more than 70 Prophet of Allah Ta’ala.

[Tabraani: 152]

8. Hazrat A'isha رضي الله عنها said to father of Hazrat Hisham Bin Arwah  ؓ that Nabi ﷺ said to her that whenever you cook dry meat add round pumpkin ) بَِّء

الد ( in it because it strengthens the heart which is effected with ( قلب الْزي ) inferior complex.

[Ibne Qayyim vol. 1; page. 308]

9. Hazrat Abu Talut  ؓ says that I went to Hazrat Anas Bin Malik  ؓ & he was eating long pumpkin )القرع( & he said long pumpkin )القرع( is from such a plant to which I like very much because it is loved very much by Rasoolullah ﷺ.

[Tirmizi: 1849; Book. 25; English vol. no. 3; Book. 23, Hadees. 1849]

 

About Nabiz: -

10. Sumamah Bin Hazn Al-Qushairi ( اَُّمَّةُثُ بُْ حَّزْن ) said: "I met A’isha رضي الله عنها

& asked her about Nabiz, She said, 'The delegation of 'Abdul-Qais came to Rasoolullah ﷺ & asked in which vessels they should soak (fruits - to make Nabiz). Nabi ﷺ forbade them to soak (fruits) in round pumpkin (بَِّءالد ), Naqir, Muqayyar & Hantam.

[An-Nasa’i: 5638; Book. 51; English vol. 6; Book no. 51, Hadees no. 5641]

11. Hazrat Abu Hurairah  ؓ said, Nabi ﷺ forbade soaking (fruits) in round pumpkin (بَِّءالد ) & Muzaffat" (containers for make Nabiz).

[An-Nasa’i: 5630; Book. 51; English vol. 6; Book. 51, Hadees. 5633]

(Nabiz is, dates, grapes or dried grapes soaked in water overnight & the syrup is drank, this Nabiz converts into alcohol so it is not allowed to prepare nabiz in pumpkin, green container & etc, as people use to do at that time) (Please refer lesson no. 10 Dates)

 

Raw pumpkin contents: -

Energy, Vitamin A, beta-carotene, lutein & zeaxanthin Thiamine (vit.B1), Riboflavin (vit.B2), Niacin (vit.B3), Pantothenic acid (vit.B5), Pyridoxine (vit.B6), Folate (vit.B9), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, carbohydrates & etc.

 

Scientific benefits of pumpkin: -

1. It is amongst the low calories vegetable. 100 g of it provides just 26 calories & contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; It is rich in dietary fiber, anti-oxidants elements, minerals, vitamins like vitamin-A, vitamin-C & vitamin-E, it Improves vision due to Vitamin A (retinol).

2. It helps in control of cholesterol & weight. It is also an excellent source of many natural poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds such as alpha & beta carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lutein & zea-xanthin, carotenes convert into vitamin A inside the body.

3. Zea-xanthin is a natural anti-oxidant which has UV (ultra-violet) rays filtering actions in the macula lutea in retina of the eyes. Thus, it helps protect from "age-related macular disease" (ARMD) in the elderly.

4. It is a good source of B-complex group of vitamins like folic acid, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin & pantothenic acid.

5. It is also rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium & phosphorus. Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber & mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which are good for heart health.

6. In addition, the seeds are concentrated sources of protein, minerals & health-benefiting vitamins.

7. For instance, 100 g of pumpkin seeds provide 559 calories, 30 g of protein, 110% RDA of iron, 4987 mg of niacin (31% RDA), selenium (17% of RDA), zinc (71%) etc., but no cholesterol. Further, the seeds are an excellent source of health promoting amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted into GABA in the brain.

8. Pumpkin juice is a juice extracted from raw pumpkins. Its juice has several health benefits due to which it can be used as a healthy substitute for carbonated drinks.

9. Pumpkin has a high content of vitamin D as well as minerals like copper, iron & phosphorus. Juicing is a suitable way to obtain these nutritional benefits of pumpkin.

10. This juice is highly regarded by vegetarians because of its delicious taste & versatility of use.

11. It is also used as an active ingredient in many sweets & pharmaceutical preparations.

12. It has Magnesium which is good for heart. It helps in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) formation (the energy molecules of our body) & it increases pumping action of our heart, proper bone & tooth formation, relaxes the blood vessels & brings proper bowel function.

13. Magnesium has been shown to benefit your blood pressure & help prevent sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack & stroke.

14. Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of zinc & it is important for our body in many ways, increases immunity, cell growth & division, sleep, mood, your senses of taste & smell, eye & skin health, insulin regulation & male sexual function. Helps in colds & flu, chronic fatigue, depression, acne, low birth weight babies, learning problems & poor school performance in children.

15. Pumpkin seeds are one of the best sources of plant-based omega-3s (alpha-linolenic acid or ALA). We all need ALA; however, ALA has to be converted in our body into essential omega-3 fats EPA & DHA.

16. Pumpkin seeds are important natural food for men’s health because of high zinc content, which is important for prostate health.

17. Pumpkin seed extracts & oil are used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate). Research suggests that both pumpkin seed oil & pumpkin seeds are beneficial in supporting prostate health.

18. Pumpkin seeds may help improve insulin regulation & help prevent diabetic & decreases oxidative stress.

19. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in natural phytoestrogens & studies suggest it may lead to a significant increase in good “HDL” cholesterol along with decreases in blood pressure, hot flashes, headaches, joint pains & other menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

20. Pumpkin seeds are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants & fibers, & provide benefits for heart & liver health, particularly when mixed with flax seeds.

21. Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of tryptophan, an amino acid (protein building block) that our body converts into serotonin, which in turn is converted into melatonin, the “sleep hormone.

22. Eating pumpkin seeds a few hours before bed, along with a carbohydrate like a small piece of fruit, may be especially beneficial for providing your body the tryptophan needed for your melatonin & serotonin production to help promote a restful night’s sleep.

23. Pumpkin seed oil has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects especially in arthritis, without the side effects.

 

What’s the best way to consume pumpkin seeds?

1. Pumpkin seeds should be eaten raw, but should be fresh & should soaked in water & than keep them in oven or roast them on a low heat (At not more than 170 degrees F heat or 75 degrees Celsius), sprinkled with Himalayan or other natural salt, for about 15-20 minutes).

 

Scientific benefits of bottle gourd & its uses: -

1. Bottle gourd contains 92% of water & the remaining is easily digestible fiber. So it is the easily digestive food.

2. The glucose & sugar related compounds are nearly nil in the bottle gourd. So it the one of the food option for the diabetic patients.

3. Bottle gourd is the one of the body heat control food. It keeps your body temperature at normal level.

4. Bottle gourd juice is widely used for the weight loss. Take the fresh bottle gourd & peel the skin of the veggie & make the bottle gourd into small pieces. Take those pieces into juicer & make them as juice. Filter the juice from the waste. This bottle gourd juice helps to reduce the weight.

5. Bottle gourd helps to reduce the blood sugar levels. Take the bottle gourd in the daily diet or to make the habit of drinking the bottle gourd juice daily helps a lot to the diabetic patients.

6. It helps in reducing inflammations of liver & kidneys.

7. This bottle gourd juice is also helpful in treating diarrhea. Take bottle gourd juice with a pinch of the salt this will heal diarrhea.

8. It is the best food for the person suffering from constipation. The water & fiber in the bottle gourd make the digestive system free & active & relief constipation.

9. Sesame oil mixed with the bottle gourd in the equal amounts & applied on hair & scalp, before going to bed, helps to have good sleep. It is one of the remedy for the insomnia (lack of sleeps).

10. Bottle gourd helps to treat the urinary tract infection. Take the fresh bottle gourd juice & squeeze the fresh lime in it & mix both & take it orally. It is a best remedy for the urinary infections.

 

Content of bottle gourd (dudhi): -

Water, Energy, Protein, Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, calcium, Vitamin C, B1, B2, B6.

Science & Hadees regarding Squash (pumpkin): -

Squash is among the vegetables mentioned by Nabi ﷺ. Hadees from Bukhari quotes that Ibn Malik said, "A tailor invited the Prophet ﷺ to a meal that he had prepared & I went along with the Prophet ﷺ. The tailor presented barley bread & soup containing gourd & cured meat. I saw the Prophet ﷺ picking the pieces of gourd from around the dish & since then I have kept on liking gourd.

 

Dexter L. Morris, MD, PhD, vice chairman & associate professor in the department of emergency medicine at the University Of Northern Carolina School Of Medicine says that “Squash & gourd contain such a rich array of vitamins & minerals & other compounds that scientists have just begun to map its healing power." However, they have managed to come to at least a few conclusions & one is that squash is one of the richest sources of vitamin C & beta-carotene (25% & 66% respectively). Scientists have found that people who have more vitamin C in the diets over time have fewer lung ailments as the vitamin gets transported to the lining of the lung & serves as an antioxidant. Also read scientific benefits.

 

In Hadees it is mentioned it increases the brain function & intelligence: -

For instance, 100 g of pumpkin seeds provide 559 calories, 30 g of protein, 110% RDA of iron, 4987 mg of niacin (31% RDA), selenium (17% of RDA), zinc (71%) etc., but no cholesterol. Further, the seeds are an excellent source of health promoting amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted to GABA in the brain; tryptophan is needed for melatonin & serotonin production to help promote a restful night’s sleep. It also prevent stroke.

 

In Hadees it is mentioned it strengthens the heart, reduces inferior complex: -

It has Magnesium which is good for heart. It helps in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) formation (the energy molecules of our body) & it increases pumping action of our heart, proper bone & tooth formation, relaxes the blood vessels & brings proper bowel function. Magnesium has been shown to benefit your blood pressure & help prevent sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack & stroke. Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber & mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which are good for heart health.

Nabi ﷺ liked pumpkin, it should be added in food, it increases the brain function & intelligence, strengthens the heart, reduces inferior complex, it was eat by previous Prophets also. We are not allowed to prepare Nabiz in it. (Nabiz is when dates or raisins are soaked in water overnight & the syrup is drank)