Immy and I were preparing
a pumpkin to steam and I watched as she cut into it and carved away the goop
and seeds into the trash pile. I started to retrieve them and told her how the
pumpkin seed has an anthelmintic known as cucurbitacin found in them and this is
the same active ingredient found in deworming medicine. She replied, “OHHH! I
didn’t know! Every time I get a pumpkin, I won’t throw the seeds now. We don’t
have to buy tabs now”, (tabs are medicine and deworming tabs are not easily
available and expensive in the village, but oh so necessary). She was amazed and kept saying “thank-you for
teaching me”! I showed her how I prepare them by rinsing the seeds and roasting
them in a pan with some small oil and salt, until they are dry and crispy. Immy’s
family of 5 and I ate those seeds so quickly! They tasted really good! Other
people that walked by were inquiring about what we were cooking and we
explained to them about the cucurbitacin found in the pumpkin seed acts as a
natural de-wormer and how to prepare the seeds for eating. Most everyone seemed
so amazed and excited for the next time they get a pumpkin.
It really is amazing how knowledge has the power to
transform communities; who knows the impact this will have on the health of
Immy’s family and the surrounding community.
Props to my Pops for teaching me about anthelmintics and
cucurbitacin in the pumpkin seed last October
J
Arielle, I've just read your blog for the first time and I am sitting here SO encouraged. Like Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus I feel like you are sitting at his feet and recounting what He is telling you. I am not just encouraged, but exhorted/gently rebuked in the best way, challenged. I am praying for you! God's fingerprint is on what you are doing. Do you know how hard it is to raise money in this economy? I'm sure you do. But God is showing you what it means for Him to be miracle-provider. ~Nicole (Jayce's wife)
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