| Some Products using Pumpkin Seed | ||
| Product | Health Issue | Other Herbal Ingredients |
| men | saw palmetto, pygeum, nettle, | |
| Return |
| Return |
Traditional Uses
Native Americans have been using pumpkin flesh and seeds to treat intestinal infections and kidney problems.
Current uses
Recently pumpkin seed has been used for the treatment of urinary tract problems and gastritis. More recently, in the U.S' the increasing incidence of prostate enlargement in men has highlighted pumpkin seeds as a useful component of a healthy diet.
These seeds contain chemical substances called cucurbitacins that can prevent the body from converting testosterone into a much more potent form of this hormone called dihydrotestosterone which helps to produce more prostate cells. This is thought to slow the enlargement of the prostate. Pumpkin seeds are also a source of zinc, a mineral also used by healthcare practitioners to help reduce prostate size.
An interesting potential for pumpkin seeds is in the treatment of arthritis. Pumpkin seeds have a similar effect as indomethacin, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of arthritis. Indomethacin, however, unlike pumpkin seeds, has the side effect of increasing the level of damaged fats (lipid peroxides) in the linings of the joints which can, in fact, increase the symptoms of arthritis
Pumpkin Seed's active ingredients include essential fatty acids, amino acids, beta-sitosterol, vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium , manganese, zinc and phosphorous, and the seeds are a good source of iron , copper , protein and monounsaturated fat.
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News Comment
The saw palmetto controversy
Malaysia Star, MalaysiaApr 2006
... monographs from the German government and the World Health Organization. ... clinically documented, which include stinging nettle, pygeum, pumpkin seed and tomato ...
Precautions and side effects (refer also to statements below)
There are no consistently reported side effects to consuming pumpkin seed