Seeds and oil of the pumpkin, rich in zinc and plant sterols.
Why it’s used: Traditionally used to support prostate and urinary health, and healthy hair.
Pumpkin seeds come from Cucurbita pepo, the same species as the field pumpkins carved at Halloween, along with courgettes and marrows. The flat green seeds, sometimes sold as pepitas, are a nutritious snack in their own right, providing protein, healthy fats, zinc and plant sterols. Pressed, they give a dark green seed oil.
In European herbal tradition pumpkin seed has a long history, and it is traditionally used to support prostate and urinary health, and healthy hair. European herbal regulators recognise pumpkin seed preparations as traditional herbal products for urinary symptoms in men with an enlarged prostate and for an overactive bladder, once a doctor has ruled out anything more serious. In supplements you will see pumpkin seed extract, pumpkin seed oil or Cucurbita pepo seed, often alongside saw palmetto, nettle root or zinc.
Researchers have also looked at pumpkin seed oil and hair. A 2014 randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 76 men with pattern hair loss found that those taking 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil a day had more hair after 24 weeks than those on placebo. It was a single small study, so it is an encouraging signal rather than proof.
3 findings behind this ingredient. Hover a card for the detail and the source.
The GRANU trial randomised 1,431 men aged 50 to 80 with prostate-related urinary symptoms to 5 g pumpkin seed twice daily, 500 mg extract twice daily or placebo for 12 months. More men responded with seed (58.5%) than placebo (47.3%); the extract showed no difference.
A double-blind trial randomised 76 men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia to 400 mg pumpkin seed oil a day or placebo for 24 weeks. Hair counts and self-rated improvement were significantly higher with the oil, with no difference in side effects.
A double-blind trial randomised 47 men with prostate enlargement to placebo, 320 mg pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto oil or both daily for 12 months. Symptom scores fell by three months and peak urine flow improved by six months with pumpkin seed oil.
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Pumpkin seed is traditionally used to support prostate and urinary health, and European regulators accept this traditional use for urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate. See your GP first, as urinary symptoms can have other causes that need checking.
One 2014 placebo-controlled trial in 76 men with pattern hair loss found more hair after 24 weeks with 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil a day. It was a single small study, so more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
As a snack, a small handful is a sensible portion. Traditional herbal guidance describes up to 20 g of seeds a day, split into two servings, for urinary support. Supplements use concentrated oil or extract, so follow the dose on the label.
Videos from doctors, research scientists and registered dietitians, for general education. They are independent of Nutra Formulations, do not refer to our products and are not medical advice for you.
Does Pumpkin Seed Oil Help Prostate Problems (BPH)?
Dr Robert Chan, MD, urologist · Dr. Robert Chan on YouTube
Information only, not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
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