What is pumpkin seed oil?

Pumpkin seed oil is an oil extracted from the seeds of the pumpkin plant. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.

What are the mechanisms by which it works for medicinal purposes?

Pumpkin seed oil is believed to work by improving the balance of hormones in the body, particularly for men with prostate problems. It is also believed to reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and boost the immune system.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

The active ingredients in pumpkin seed oil include antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

What forms does it come in?

Pumpkin seed oil is available in liquid form and can be consumed directly, added to food or used in cooking. It is also available in capsule form as a dietary supplement.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

The use of pumpkin seed oil for medicinal purposes can be traced back to ancient times, with evidence of its use in various cultures.

What does Pumpkin Seed Oil help with?

Pumpkin seed oil is pressed from pumpkin seeds. It has long been used in Central Europe, the Middle East, and by Indigenous American peoples. Today people take it in capsules or use it as a food oil.

• Sudden urges to pee, and leaks you can't stop
  Good evidence — clinical trial data in men and women on file, sizes and doses not recorded. In clinical trials, men and women reported fewer sudden urges and less leaking. Our file notes the trial data but does not record how many people took part, or at what dose. Researchers propose that the oil supports bladder muscle tone; that idea has not been confirmed.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T1
• Thinning hair in men
  Good evidence — one trial in men, 24 weeks, size not recorded on file. In one trial in men, hair count rose after 24 weeks of taking the oil. Our file does not record how many men took part, or the dose used. DHT is known to shrink hair follicles in male pattern loss; whether this oil blunts that is still a proposal.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T1
• An enlarged prostate, weak stream, waking at night to pee
  Early evidence — human reports on file with no trial size or dose recorded. Men with an enlarged prostate often wake at night to pee. The stream can be weak. Reports on file say these symptoms eased over time with the oil, but no trial size or dose is recorded. The plant sterols in the oil are thought to dial down a growth signal in prostate tissue; that mechanism has not been shown in people.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T1
• Bladder trouble after menopause
  Early evidence — clinical research on file in postmenopausal women, sizes and doses not recorded. Urgency and leaking are common after menopause, as estrogen drops. Clinical research on file found these symptoms eased with the oil. The sizes and doses of that research are not on file, so treat the finding as early.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T1
• Thinning hair in women
  Early evidence — some studies in women, no sizes, doses or hair counts on file. Some studies in women with thinning hair reported benefit. Our file gives no sizes, doses or measured hair counts. The oil holds zinc, fatty acids and plant sterols; how much these matter for hair is not settled.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T1
• Cholesterol numbers
  Early evidence — human studies linked to modest changes, no sizes or doses on file. Regular use has been linked with modest shifts in cholesterol. Reports describe a small rise in HDL, the kind often called good, and LDL that was less prone to oxidation. No trial size or dose is on file.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T1
• Everyday inflammation and cell stress
  Not yet tested in people — antioxidant activity seen in lab work only. The oil holds tocopherols (forms of vitamin E) and carotenoids. These act as antioxidants in lab work. No human trial on file has measured inflammation in people who took the oil, so no claim can be made here.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T1
• Dry or irritated skin and scalp
  Not yet tested in people — no human trial on file; general skin science only. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is well established to help skin keep its barrier. That is general skin science, not a trial of this oil. Our file holds no human trial of the oil on skin or scalp.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T1

What Pumpkin Seed Oil has not been shown to do

• No trial on file compares the oil head to head with prostate drugs, so it has not been shown to stand in for one.
• Nothing on file shows the oil shrinks an enlarged prostate itself, only that symptoms were reported as easier.
• No trial on file shows it lowers total cholesterol by a large amount.
• Nothing on file shows it prevents heart attacks or strokes.
• No human trial on file tested the oil on skin or scalp for dryness or irritation.

How to read this:

Each use above has its own grade. A means steady results across randomised human trials. B means at least one good human trial. C means small or early human work. D means the human evidence is weak or mixed. Insufficient means no human study at all, just lab work or long use. This page reports what studies found. It is not medical advice, and it is not a plan of care. These are options to discuss with your doctor, not steps we tell you to take. Ask about your own medicines before you start.

What can it help prevent?

1. Prostate problems
2. Inflammatory conditions
3. Heart disease
4. Hormonal imbalances
5. Joint problems
6. Sleep problems
7. Menopause symptoms
8. Skin aging
9. Immune system problems
10. Urinary issues

Which foods are rich in it?

1. Pumpkin seeds
2. Avocado
3. Walnuts
4. Chia seeds
5. Flaxseeds
6. Almonds
7. Hazelnuts
8. Sunflower seeds
9. Sesame seeds
10. Cashews

What are possible side effects?

Possble side effects of pumpkin seed oil include:

1. Upset stomach (5-10%)
2. Headache (2-5%)
3. Allergic reactions (2-5%)
4. Diarrhea (2-5%)

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of pumpkin seed oil is 1000-1500mg for adults.

How many days does it take to work?

The effects of pumpkin seed oil can vary from person to person, but it typically takes 2-3 weeks to notice a noticeable improvement in symptoms.

What time of day is best to take it?

It is best to take pumpkin seed oil in the morning or early afternoon with a meal.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Pumpkin seed oil is best taken with food to improve absorption and reduce the risk of side effects.