A remedy for the bladder and prostate: pumpkin seeds

Pumpkins belong to the genus Cucurbita (cucurbitaceae), which brings together some 20 species and more than 800 varieties that are currently cultivated throughout the world.

A very specific variety is used for medicinal purposes. It’s about the Cucurbita pepol L. convar. citrullinine var. styriaca. The pulp of this pumpkin is tasteless, but its white-skinned green seeds have proven medicinal properties on the bladder and prostate.

This variety, obtained after 15 years of selecting and crossing the right plants, has high amounts of a variety of active ingredients and nutrients: arginine and other amino acids, phytosterols (avenasterol, spinasterol, sitosterol and stigmasterol), terpenes, tocopherols, carotenoids and minerals (especially zinc).

Main indications of pumpkin seeds

Together, the mixture of compounds present in the seeds make them effective in the treatment of benign enlarged prostate, irritable bladder and infant enuresis.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

To achieve therapeutic effects should be consumed 10 to 15 g daily of the seeds. This dose can decrease the need to urinate at night in case of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It does not produce notable side effects and can be taken for long periods of time.

In animal experiments, pumpkin seed was able to reduce the size of the prostate, but there are no studies that have tested this property in men.

Even if their condition improves, it must be remembered that people with hyperplasia should attend regular medical check-ups.

infant enuresis

For infantile enuresis are taken 3 tablespoons of the crushed seeds throughout the day, adding them to yoghurts, mueslis, ensadas or desserts.

joint inflammation

In animal studies, pumpkin seeds have been shown to produce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These properties could be interesting in the nutritional and complementary treatment of disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

In traditional European medicine, pumpkin seeds were used as a diuretic (to promote the elimination of fluids) and anthelmintic (to combat intestinal parasites).