Ratha,

<< My reaction was to decide that the pumpkin seeds were
 evil and that I should have nothing more to do with
 them.  Then I began to wonder if they might have
 caused a productive, detoxificating episode.  Does
 anyone have any ideas about this?  Should I throw the
 seeds away, which I almost did, or maybe eat some
 every other weekend and grit my teeth?
  >>

They are indeed evil ;), and if you are that resistant to them, trust your
instincts!

I actually got quite sick myself, repeatedly, eating pumpkin seeds.  I loved
the taste, found it seductive, almost trance inducing, and then they killed
me.  VERY SICK, up all night, vomitting, etc.  They don't digest well for me
AT ALL!

I felt like never eating them again, ever.  I don't even like to look at them,
but I think I may have eaten one or two since, out of curiousity.  They seemed
to turn into paste inside of me, and do horrible things.

Naturally, as the organs are effected, so is the mind...

Sunflower seeds seem fine, raw almonds, so so.

I imagine if you ate a few on a salad here and there, you'd be fine.

I never tried soaking them.

Moderation is the KEY, if you are going to eat them...

Half a pound is WAY TOO MUCH.  Eat several and chew them well, in a week or
two, after you have healed from the stress and see what happens.

And, of course, remember...

Just because you get sick, it doesn't mean detox!  Unless, you include
detoxing from the most recent poisoning, in this case, pumpkin seed poisoning!

Good luck,
Aaron