Pumpkin Seed Oil,  a remedy for BPH

Pumpkin seed oil is derived from Cucurbia pepo seeds. The record of its traditional use goes back to 18th century. Several of its traditional benefits are now supported by modern research trials, particularly its effect on enlargement of prostate.

About Pumpkin Seed Oil:

This oil is a culinary specialty of several countries of European Union – Austria, Croatia, Hungry and Slovenia. People use it as a salad dressing with honey and olive oil.

The best quality of Pumpkin seed oil is definitely available from Austria and Slovian part of Styria. It has even become an export commodity in these countries. China and India also produce it now but they use white seeds with shell. It makes it cheaper but of low quality.

Good quality comes from oil from seed without shell. Dried seeds are roasted and hulled and then pressed to produce oil. 2.5 kg of dried seeds yield 1 kg of oil. Oil with seed shell is not natural.

Its oil is dichromatic in color – from light green to dark red or brown. When it is used with yogurt, its color turns bright green. So people call it green gold.

The Ingredients Of Pumpkin Seed Oil:

1. Phytosterols (steroidal compounds, delta-7 sterine).
2. Amino acids – Tryptophan.
3. Essential Fatty Acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and over 60% unsaturated fatty acids.

Pumpkin Seed Oil For BPH:

The significant effect of Pumpkin seed oil on BPH is affirmed traditionally, by German Commission E monographs and several other prominent research trials.

In a research from Hungary, 30 old BPH patients were given 300 mg of Pumpkin seed oil three times a day for two months. All the patients were old enough (average age 65.3 years) that either surgery was not a good option or they didn’t like to undergo surgery.

There had been improvement (66%) in night urination, with increase in residual volume. The greatest improvement was in subjective symptoms like difficulty in urination (86%). Researchers suggested that it could be used in patients of BPH and younger patients of chronic prostatitis.

32 patients of BPH (state 1 and 2) was taken in another controlled trial. 15 of them received Depostat injections (medical treatment) and others received pumpkin seed oil.

During treatment period, prostate size (measured by ultrasound), changes in residual urine volume, the mechanism of urine discharge, and the subjective symptoms were checked.

The size of prostate decreased in 33% of patients receiving pumpkin seed oil while there was no change in the other group.

75% of patients reported benefit in urinary complaints against 25% in control group. However urine flow tests didn’t find significant improvement in any of the group.

One of the recent study at National Cheng Kung university in Taiwan have confirmed that pumpkin seed oil shrinks the prostate gland in aged rodents.  Pumpkin seed oil worked better when combined with plant molecules called phytosterols found in some plants.

Dosage Of Pumpkin Seed Oil:

The normal dosage ranges from 300-600 mg three times a day. A group of researchers found that an initial dose of 600 mg of pumpkin seed oil three times a day for one or two months improves the subjective symptoms earlier and then it could be given at the maintenance dose of 300 mg three times a day.

Side Effects And Safety Of Pumpkin Seed Oil:

It is well tolerated and no trial reported any side effects. One study reported improvement in libido and it could be regarded as its side benefit.

Research Resources Of Pumpkin Seed Oil:

1) J. Vas, G. Walter and I. Boromisza; Department of Urology, Central State Hospital, Budapest; 1988-1989

2) Carbin, B.E.; Larsson, B.; Lindahl, O. "Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with phytosterols", Br J Urol. December 1990; 66(6):639-41.

3) L. Kiss, Z. Kolozsy and B. Csikai; Szabolcs-Szatmar Caunty Council Hospital, Nyiregyhaza, Hungry; 1988-1989.

4) Dreikorn, K. "The role of phytotherapy in treating lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia". World J Urol. April 2002; 19(6):426-35.

5) Yuh-Shyan Tsai, Yat-Ching Tong, Juei-Tang Cheng, Chung-Ho Lee, Fu-Shan Yang, Hua-Yang Lee; Urol Int 2006;77:269-274 Institute of Clinical Medicine and Departments of
Urology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, and Central R & D Institute, Uni-President Enterprises Corp., Tainan, Taiwan.