PUMPKIN

OTHER NAME(S):

Calabaza, Citrouille, Cucurbita galeottii, Cucurbita mammeata, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbitea Peponis Semen, Cucumis pepo, Field Pumpkin, Graine de Citrouille, Great Pumpkin, Huile de Graines de Citrouille, Pepo, Pumpkin Seed, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Styrian Pumpkin.

Overview

Overview Information

Pumpkin is a plant. The seed and its oil are used to make medicine.

Pumpkin is commonly used by mouth for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The roasted pumpkin seeds are considered a snack food.

How does it work?

The chemicals in the pumpkin seed cause an increase in urination (diuretic effect), which helps relieve bladder and prostate discomfort. Some chemicals might also reduce inflammation in the prostate. Pumpkin seed also contains a chemical that might kill intestinal worms.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Possibly Effective for

  • Male baldness. Taking pumpkin seed oil may help with hair growth in men.
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Taking pumpkin seed oil products by mouth with or without saw palmetto or other herbs, may help BPH symptoms.

Insufficient Evidence for

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of pumpkin for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

Pumpkin is LIKELY SAFE in food amounts and POSSIBLY SAFE in medicinal amounts for most people. Side effects from pumpkin products are rare.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of pumpkin in medicinal amounts during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with usual food amounts.

Interactions

Interactions?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

!

  • Lithium interacts with PUMPKIN

    Pumpkin might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking pumpkin might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.

Dosing

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For male baldness: 400 mg of pumpkin seed oul per day in divided doses.
  • For benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
    • 5 grams pumpkin seed twice daily.
    • 1-2 tablets or capsules of pumpkin see oil or extract products daily.
    • 160 mg pumpkin see oil 1-3 times daily in combination with saw palmetto and other ingredients.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Carbin BE, Larsson B, Lindahl O. Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with phytosterols. Br J Urol 1990;66:639-41. View abstract.
  • Cho YH, Lee SY, Jeong DW, et al. Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:549721. View abstract.
  • Coulson S, Rao A, Beck SL, Steels E, Gramotnev H, Vitetta L. A phase II randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Complement Ther Med 2013;21(3):172-9. View abstract.
  • De Bellis L, Gonzali S, Alpi A, et al. Purification and characterization of a novel pumpkin short-chain acyl-coenzyme A oxidase with structural similarity to acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenases. Plant Physiol 2000;123:327-34. View abstract.
  • Durante M, Lenucci MS, Mita G. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of carotenoids from pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.): a review. Int J Mol Sci 2014;15(4):6725-40. View abstract.
  • Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
  • Friederich M, Theurer C, Schiebel-Schlosser G. [Prosta Fink Forte capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Multicentric surveillance study in 2245 patients]. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2000;7:200-4. View abstract.
  • Marks L, Partin AW, Epstein JI, et al. Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol 2000;163:1451-6. View abstract.
  • Medjakovic S, Hobiger S, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Bucar F, Jungbauer A. Pumpkin seed extract: cell growth inhibition of hyperplastic and cancer cells, independent of steroid hormone receptors. Fitoterapia 2016;110:150-6. View abstract.
  • Shirvan MK, Mahboob MR, Masuminia M, Mohammadi S. Pumpkin seed oil (prostafit) or prazosin? Which one is better in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Pak Med Assoc 2014;64(6):683-5. View abstract.
  • Vahlensieck W, Theurer C, Pfitzer E, Patz B, Banik N, Engelmann U. Effects of pumpkin seed in men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in the one-year, randomized, placebo-controlled GRANU study. Urol Int 2015;94(3):286-95. View abstract.
  • Younis YM, Ghirmay S, al-Shihry SS. African Cucurbita pepo L.: properties of seed and variability in fatty acid composition of seed oil. Phytochemistry 2000;54:71-5. View abstract.
  • Zhang X, Ouyang JZ, Zhang YS, et al. Effect of the extracts of pumpkin seeds on the urodynamics of rabbits: an experimental study. J Tongji Med Univ 1994;14:235-8. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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