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Pumpkin Seed Oil

Cucurbita pepo

Native Americans used pumpkin flesh and seeds for food. Their use of the seeds for intestinal infections eventually led the United States Pharmacopoeia to list pumpkin seeds as an official medicine for parasite elimination from 1863 to 1936. Native Americans also commonly used pumpkin seeds to treat a variety of kidney problems. Eclectic physicians at the turn of the century used pumpkin seeds to treat urinary tract problems and gastritis, and to remove tapeworms and roundworms from the intestines.

Dosage

One to three teaspoons daily. Best taken with food.

Potential applications

Rheumatoid arthritis, elevated blood lipids and cholesterol, parasitic infestation, BPH, kidney/bladder disorders. Useful in maintaining skin health. The high tryptophan content of the seeds may make the oil useful in cases of insomnia. A nutritious culinary oil.

Known contraindications

None known.

Interactions

No known drug interactions.

Use in conjunction with

  • Arthritis - glucosamine, grape seed/pycnogenol, trace minerals, quercetin, vitamin B5
  • Elevated cholesterol - chromium, grape seed extract, fibre complex
  • BPH - Saw Palmetto, balanced zinc complex, trace mineral complex, red food blend

Note

Pumpkin seeds are rich sources of fatty acids. The four dominant fatty acids are Palmitic, Stearic, Oleic, and linoleic acid. HPLC analysis of the powerful pigments found in pumpkin seed oil reveal a number of CAROTENOIDS - the main components being BETA CAROTENE and LUTEIN. In addition other carotenoids present include - violaxanthin, luteoxanthin, auroxanthin, flavoxanthin, chrysanthemaxanthin, alpha-cryptoxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene.

References

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