Culpeper: ‘... cool the blood as also the stomach, spleen and reins, and allay the heat of fevers. Use them as you were taught to do with Poppy seeds.’

Notes: No opiate activity is reported from this plant, and it is not now regarded as sedative. It is unlikely that any of the College pumpkins will approach the world record of a Cucurbita maxima that weighed over 1,506 pounds (666 kgm). The orange pumpkins contain carotene, a source of Vitamin A. In Brazil the seeds, peeled and boiled in coconut milk, are used as a vermicide and also reported to inhibit the growth of Schistosoma japonicum.

Cucurbita pepo L., Cucurbitaceae. Distribution: Mexico (extinct) This species is one of the oldest cultivated plants, first grown 11,000 years ago in Mexico, but extinct in the wild. Varieties are selectively bred for their taste, colour and shape. The seeds, ground to a powder are used to kill intestinal tape-worms (Lewis & Elvin-Lewis, 2003). This is a 200-year-old cultivar whose seed has been conserved by the Amish of Pennsylvania, USA. The rind is very thick, but the taste is delicious. This is a 200-year-old cultivar whose seed has been conserved by the Amish of Pennsylvania, USA. The rind is very thick, but the taste is delicious. Seeds approved for use in making herbal medicines in the UK (Herbal Medicine legislation 2013)