Pumpkin Seed Extract/Oil

Pumpkin seed oil is derived from pressing the seeds of the common pumpkin (Cucurbitapepo). The constituents of pumpkin seed oil include tocopherols (vitamin E) and phytosterols.1

Health Benefits

Pumpkin seeds have been used for bladder disorder and childhood enuresis (difficulty in controlling urination) in Germany.1 In a human study with postmenopausal women, consumption of pumpkin seed increased levels of good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) levels and reduced diastolic blood pressure.2 Women consuming pumpkin seeds also showed improved menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, headaches, and joint pains.2 A preclinical study reported that pumpkin seed oil may have cardioprotective effects by reducing blood pressure, which may involve nitric oxide generation.3

References

  1. Pumkin seed. American Botanical Council. Accessed in July 2015. http://cms.herbalgram.org/expandedE/Pumpkinseed.html
  2. Gossell-Williams M, Hyde C, Hunter T, Simms-Stewart D, Fletcher H, McGrowder D, Walters CA. Improvement in HDL cholesterol in postmenopausal women supplemented with pumpkin seed oil: pilot study. Climacteric. 2011 Oct;14(5):558-64. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2011.563882. Epub 2011 May 5. PubMed PMID: 21545273.
  3. El-Mosallamy AE, Sleem AA, Abdel-Salam OM, Shaffie N, Kenawy SA. Antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects of pumpkin seed oil. J Med Food. 2012 Feb;15(2):180-9. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2010.0299. Epub 2011 Nov 14. PubMed PMID: 22082068.