What are the effects of pumpkin seeds?
Among the effective substances in the pumpkin seeds (pumpkin seeds) are plant hormones such as phytosterols. Other important ingredients are valuable fatty acids, vitamin E, carotenoids and minerals such as selenium.
The medicinal plant has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The term “antioxidant” refers to the ability to render cell-damaging aggressive oxygen compounds (“free radicals”) harmless.
It is medically recognized for use in benign prostatic hyperplasia and irritable bladder.
Other possible effects
Digestion also benefits from pumpkin seeds. They are rich in zinc, potassium and magnesium. In the case of potassium deficiency, the intestines become sluggish, constipation is a possible consequence. Magnesium also has a positive effect on movements in the intestine.
Pumpkin seeds contain unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid. It is said to lower cholesterol levels.
What can pumpkin seeds be used for?
What are pumpkin seeds good for? The seeds of the common pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) are used as a traditional herbal medicine for irritable bladder and disorders of urination (micturition problems) in benign enlarged prostate. Such micturition problems include pain during urination, frequent emptying of the bladder, urge to urinate at night, urinary retention and residual urine formation.
Due to their many healthy ingredients, according to various studies, there is evidence that pumpkin seeds have the following health benefits:
- reduced risk of stomach, breast, lung and colon cancer
- improved heart health
- lowering of blood sugar levels
- improved digestion
How are pumpkin seeds used?
Medicinally used are the pumpkin seeds from the common pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) and / or various cultivars of the species.
You can consume the seeds directly. Take about three heaping tablespoons (30 grams) ground or chewed with a glass of water throughout the day.
Alternatively, ready-made preparations are suitable. There are, for example, pumpkin seed capsules and tablets with the powdered seeds or an extract obtained from them. In addition, capsules with the pumpkin seed oil and combination preparations with other medicinal plants are available.
For the treatment of prostate complaints and irritable bladder, the daily intake of ten grams of pumpkin seeds is recommended for several weeks or months. Pressed oil or dry extracts are also suitable.
What side effects can pumpkin cause?
There are no known side effects. Pumpkin seeds are also basically not toxic.
What you should consider when using pumpkin.
Pumpkin seeds relieve the discomfort associated with an enlarged prostate. However, it cannot be used to reduce the size of the prostate. Men with benign prostate hyperplasia should therefore visit their doctor regularly for check-ups, despite using the herb.
There is nothing against eating pumpkin seeds during pregnancy.
How to get pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed products
You can get the seeds in your grocery store. Prefer thereby products with organic quality.
Ready-made preparations based on the medicinal plant can be found in your pharmacy or drugstores. For the correct use and dosage of pumpkin preparations, please read the respective package insert or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
The common squash (Cucurbita pepo) belongs to the cucurbitaceae family. They are annual plants with rough-haired, meter-long shoots that creep along the ground or climb in leafy vines.
They bear palmately lobed leaves with large funnel-shaped yellow flowers (male and female) arising from their axils. From them develop the largest fruits in the plant kingdom – berry fruits weighing many kilos, also called “armored berries” because of their hard shell. They are multiform and have a fibrous, yellow flesh, which encloses numerous pointed-oval, flattened, greenish-white or light brown seeds (“pumpkin seeds”).
