Rare Uses Of Pumpkin We Never Knew About Until Today

1. Keep insects out of the garden!

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Who knew that next time you carve a pumpkin you could use the innards for a very unusual reason - keeping the insects out of your garden! Generally, insects aren't as much of a pest during fall, but if you dry out the seeds you can scatter them around the garden when springtime hits.

2. Reduce your risk of eye problems

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Eating pumpkin has so many unknown benefits that we never even knew of. Pumpkins have a very high content of vitamin A which can contribute to good vision and the overall health of your eye. So, eating pumpkins could help to reduce the risk of age-related eye degeneration.

3. Give your dog a healthy pet treat

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You can actually use your pumpkin to create your own delicious and dog-friendly treats for your furry friend. Not only will your dogs love them, but they're also healthy. Just puree some pumpkin and put them onto a baking tray and chop them up into little bite-size treats!

4. Help an overactive bladder

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Pumpkin seeds have been studied and it is thought that they may help with certain urinary issues! They contain nutrients such as beta-sitosterol and lots of antioxidants which are thought to help with bladder issues. Some people have reported being able to manage their overactive bladder better after consuming pumpkin seeds frequently.

5. Lower your blood pressure

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There are also links that have been found between eating pumpkin and improving heart health. Specifically, the high content of potassium in pumpkins is thought to perhaps help regulate or lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of a potential stroke.

6. Use it as a novelty plant pot

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A rare and cute way to use a pumpkin is to create your own fall-themed plant pots, by using the pumpkin itself. Scoop out the inside of the pumpkin so it's smooth and then fill it with plant compost and put in either some flowers or seedlings. It's a great way to decorate in a more creative way.

7. Drop a few pounds

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Pumpkin may help you to shed a few pounds if that is what you have been intending to do. Some people believe that eating or drinking pumpkin in a smoothie has helped them regulate their weight. The fiber in pumpkins can help you to feel fuller for longer!

8. Turn it into a cleaning solution

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And another rare use of pumpkin which not many people know about is that it actually has numerous cleaning benefits. If you don't know what to do with your old pumpkin, you could turn it into juice and add some vinegar for an effective and natural cleaning solution around your home.

9. Polish up your shoes

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Not only can you clean your home, but pumpkin is also super useful for cleaning up old shoes. You can use it as a polish, to help your shoes shine. And, the natural ingredient will help to clean your shoe without damaging the material by using harsh products.

10. Increase your fertility

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It is believed that pumpkin seeds could help increase both women's and men's fertility. The properties in pumpkin seeds contain a lot of zinc, which is thought to increase fertility levels. If you are trying for a baby and want a boost, eating pumpkin seeds may help your endeavors.

11. Protect your plants in winter

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Plants in winter are left exposed to the freezing cold weather and frost can actually destroy your plants. You could use an empty pumpkin to place over your pot, which will help to shield and protect it. And, the pumpkin will slowly decompose which will release heat into your flower beds.

12. Get rid of unwanted odors

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Some people have turned their pumpkin juice into a room odor spray. Spraying pumpkin has no ill effects on your home as it is totally natural. But pumpkin is a natural odor-neutralizer. For those stubborn stenches in your home, try applying some pumpkin juice!

13. Get a better night's sleep

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Pumpkin can help you to get a better night's sleep. If you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night you could try incorporating pumpkin into your diet. It can help to relax your muscles, which reduces tension throughout your sleep.

14. Remove stubborn stains

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Stubborn stains don't necessarily need to be removed using harsh chemicals or bleach. Before you resort to this, try a natural solution. Try soaking the stained garment in pumpkin juice. It may help to break down the stubborn stain which can then wash out more easily.

15. Make your bones strong

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Pumpkins are packed full of vitamin K amongst other nutrients and health benefits. Vitamin K in particular can help contribute to bone health and it may even help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Eating pumpkin very frequently may help your bones stay stronger!

16. Help your flowers grow

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Pumpkins can also be used as a fertilizer. You can chop up pumpkin and turn it into mulch which can then be scattered into the soil or on the flower beds. It will help your flowers grow faster and healthier as they absorb the nutrients through the soil.

17. Make all kinds of pumpkin snacks

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Often when it comes to fall or Halloween and we are left with pumpkins, we think of the generic 'pumpkin soup' or 'pumpkin pie', but there are SO many options. Try making pumpkin salsa, pumpkin muffins, or even pumpkin crispy curls. The possibilities are endless.

18. Keep yourself happy

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The properties that pumpkins contain are in line with nutrients that can help to stabilize our mood. If you struggle with your emotions or dealing with emotional bouts, eating pumpkin seeds could actually help to stabilize your emotions and help keep you feeling happier.

19. Look after your heart

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Not only could pumpkins possibly lower your blood pressure but they may also help your general heart health, helping the ticker stay healthier for longer. Our hearts are constantly working and it is one of the most important aspects of our bodies to help to protect, which we can help by eating the right foods.

20. Use it as a face mask

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One thing we never considered was that pumpkins could also be helpful when applied to our faces! Turn your pumpkin into a mask by adding yogurt. Pumpkin can contribute to glowy skin and even help combat problem skin. It will also help to nourish and moisturize your skin.

21. Help manage diabetes

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Pumpkin has a low glycemic index, which could mean that it may help to stabilize your blood sugar levels. People with diabetes particularly struggle with this, and alongside the correct medication, pumpkin could be a very useful snack to incorporate into your diet.

22. Turn it into cute jewelry

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The seeds of pumpkins have so many different uses. But a more unusual use could be turning the seeds into cute jewelry. You can dry them out, and paint them, and then turn them into a necklace or earrings by threading them through and creating your own unique pieces!

23. Make it into an outdoor candle

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You can even make a fall-themed, outdoor candle. Again, scoop out the insides and use it as a container. You can even make your own candle inside the pumpkin, and use some of your pumpkin to scent the candle and create a candle that looks and smells just like a pumpkin!

24. Help reduce your inflammation

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Studies have shown that eating pumpkin or pumpkin seeds in particular, is a great way to naturally help reduce inflammation. Inflammation both externally and internally can lead to more serious health concerns, so introducing pumpkin into the diet is a great way to help alleviate the risks.

25. Use them as fall-themed bowls

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What better way to serve pumpkin soup than in an actual pumpkin? If you are hosting a Halloween night or a fall-time dinner, then use pumpkins instead of bowls to properly with your guests and get them in the Halloween spirit. It will give your soup an added flavor too!

26. Make a pumpkin hair mask

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Putting pumpkin all over your hair may not be what you anticipated, however, a hair mask is a rare use of pumpkin that we never knew about. It has a lot of properties that contribute to good hair health, and it helps to hydrate and moisturize your hair leaving it silky smooth.

27. Use pumpkin eye patches to reduce puffiness

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You don't have to buy a pre-made pumpkin eye mask, just make your own. Cut out chunks and leave them in the fridge for a while before applying them to your eyes. The coolness, the vitamins, and the moisture will help to reduce the puffiness of your eyes as well as help combat dark circles.

28. Spice up your pet's food

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Pumpkin is a great way to help make your dog food more interesting. It is dog-friendly and appealing meaning that you can cook it and serve it up in any form as an addition to your dog food which will make eating it a lot more exciting for your little pup.

29. Turn it into a painting

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Instead of carving your pumpkins, try painting them. It looks super cute and it offers a new way to use your pumpkin. You can turn them into art and paint whatever you like. It's also more engaging for children than drawing on paper as it makes it much more exciting.

30. Protect against mold

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Pumpkin naturally protects against mold due to the properties it contains. So when you've sliced up your pumpkin you could use the rind to rub on surfaces which may help to protect it from producing mold due to the natural mold-combatting ingredients it contains.