Pumpkin Oil

Pumpkin seed oil is one of the most expensive edible vegetable oils in the world, due to the large amount of raw materials. To get one liter of oily liquid, it is necessary to squeeze out about 3 kg of pumpkin seeds. Considering that one average pumpkin weighing about 10 kg contains 100-150 g of seeds, seeds of 20-30 fruits are needed to obtain a liter of oil.

In the Middle Ages, oil pressed from pumpkin seeds was very expensive and was sold only in pharmacies. The price of a 200 ml bottle in those days was comparable to the cost of a gold ring.

Chemical composition

The most useful is pumpkin seed oil obtained by cold pressing the seeds. It contains the largest number of valuable chemical compounds that determine its medicinal properties.

This oil contains no carbohydrates and proteins. ^[1]. It also does not contain purine bases, which is important for people suffering from gout.

Pumpkin seed oil is 100% fat containing product. It includes fatty acids (FA), among which omega-6-polyunsaturated ones predominate, and phytosterols – analogues of plant-derived cholesterol (cholesterol).

Saturated fatty acids in pumpkin seed oil are mainly palmitic and stearic acids, omega-3 fatty acids – linolenic, omega-6 – linoleic, and omega-9 – oleic.

Another unique substance found in large quantities in pumpkin seed oil is chlorophyll – plant hemoglobin. This element is able to quickly oxidize, attaching oxygen atoms, and also quickly recover, giving them to the tissues. Thus, the body tissues are saturated with oxygen – oxygenation.

Pumpkin seed oil contains many fat-soluble vitamins (A, E and K), as well as water-soluble vitamins (C, P, PP, group B). Carotenoids together with tocopherols have a powerful protective and membrane-stabilizing effect. Vitamin K (antihemorrhagic) affects blood clotting, promotes the conversion of fibrinogen (an inactive blood plasma protein) into active fibrin.

In addition to fatty acids and vitamins, pumpkin seed oil contains:

• minerals;
• amino acids (cucurbitin);
• alkaloids (trigonellin);
• essential oils;
• pectins.

Of great importance among the mineral substances of this product are iron, zinc, copper, selenium, which are contained in it in significant quantities for influencing the human body.

This oily pumpkin seed product cannot be called low-calorie: 100 g contains 896 kcal ^[1].

Useful Properties

Pumpkin seed oil is one of the most balanced vegetable oils with a powerful antioxidant effect. Various components of the pumpkin product have a positive effect on the state of the body, both individually and in combination.

Effect on the circulatory system

The ingredients of pumpkin seed oil, when consumed regularly, can ^[3]:

• reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the blood;
• have anti-atherosclerotic effect;
• increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels;
• prevent cell damage by free radicals;
• repair damaged cell walls;
• improve tissue microcirculation.

Effect on digestion

The pumpkin product has a beneficial effect on digestion and the state of the digestive system. ^[4]:

• prevents fatty liver;
• normalizes the synthesis of bile acids, preventing the formation of bile stones;
• promotes absorption of fat-soluble vitamins;
• heals erosions and ulcers on the mucous membranes;
• stimulates the production of digestive juices;
• accelerates peristaltic bowel movements.

Effect on the skin

The benefits of pumpkin seed oil for skin are as follows ^[3]:

• stimulates collagen synthesis;
• has a rejuvenating effect;
• prevents excessive pigmentation of the skin under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
• prevents the destruction of the structural elements of the dermis (proteoglycans, collagen, elastin);
• has an anti-cancer effect (inhibits the development of neoplasms and the formation of new vascular networks in them);
• reduces local inflammatory reactions.

Pumpkin oily product has a positive effect on the level of estrogen in the blood of women, because its phytosterols have a weak estrogen-like effect on reproductive and other organs that have receptors for these female sex hormones (bones, blood vessels, thyroid gland).

Due to the large amount of vitamins, mainly fat-soluble, and minerals, this useful product is able to:

• restore vision;
• have a calming effect on the nervous system;
• improve brain function;
• stimulate the recovery of body cells;
• have a healing effect;
• remove puffiness;
• improve blood formation;
• help maintain blood flow;
• have an antihistamine (anti-allergic) effect.

The benefits of chlorophyll contained in this pumpkin product are as follows:

• is a powerful antianemic agent (together with iron);
• has an adsorbing effect (binds toxic substances and toxins in the intestines);
• reduces inflammatory reactions in the body (along with vitamins);
• boosts immunity (along with phytosterols).

Cucurbitin, which is part of pumpkin seed oil, has an antiparasitic property, toxic effect on helminths.

Application in medicine

Pumpkin seed oil has a beneficial effect on the internal organs when taken orally, as well as on the skin, nails and hair when applied externally.

The powerful antioxidant effect of this herbal product is often used in the complex treatment of various oncological diseases, especially after a course of chemotherapy.

For the digestive system

Before eating, it is recommended to drink pumpkin seed oil for many pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, namely ^{[3] [5]}:

• heartburn;
• gastritis;
• stomach ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer;
• intestinal inflammation (enteritis, colitis, duodenitis);
• liver pathologies (hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty degeneration, toxic lesions);
• disorders of bile formation and bile secretion (biliary dyskinesia, cholecystitis);
• diseases of the rectum (fissures, hemorrhoids, proctitis);
• constipation.

In case of lesions of the oral mucosa (stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis), oral intake of the product should be supplemented with rinsing with the addition of 6-10 drops of oil per 100 ml of water.

For the heart and blood vessels

Pumpkin seed oil is used in the treatment ^[3]:

• atherosclerosis;
• hypertension;
• ischemic heart disease;
• transient disorders of cerebral circulation;
• varicose veins at an early stage.

Its regular use for the purpose of prophylaxis (a teaspoon twice a day one hour before meals) improves the elasticity of the vessels and prevents their fragility.

For blood and immunity

Pumpkin oil also shows its positive properties in the blood, therefore it is used for treatment and prevention. ^[5]:

• anemia;
• weakened immunity;
• allergic manifestations (with elevated levels of eosinophils and histamine);
• increased tendency to bleed.

In allergic rhinitis, it is recommended to combine oral administration with instillation into the nose (2-3 drops in each nostril twice a day) ^[6].

Against microbes and worms

Pumpkin fat product is used orally as an aid in the treatment of acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis).

A teaspoon on an empty stomach three times a day, you need to take oil when infected with helminths ^[5].

For reproductive system

Due to the active participation of pumpkin seed oil ingredients in fat metabolism, it is successfully used as one of the means in the complex treatment of the following pathologies ^[5]:

• violation of the menstrual cycle;
• inflammation of the genital organs in women;
• infertility (male and female);
• problems with potency;
• prostatitis.

In gynecology, pumpkin seed oil is used to treat cervical erosion, colpitis, endocervicitis, thrush ^[7]. To do this, douching with its use is carried out and vaginal tampons moistened with this product are inserted at night. The course of such local treatment can be combined with oral administration.

For kidneys and bladder

To reduce the swelling of the skin and improve the condition of the kidneys with pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis, it is possible to supplement the main course of treatment by taking pumpkin seed oil inside.

For cystitis, it is recommended to take this herbal product 2-3 teaspoons orally half an hour before meals to relieve pain and discomfort. ^[5].

External application

Local use of pumpkin seed oil is advisable in the presence of the following pathologies ^[3]:

• skin diseases (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis);
• abrasions and wounds;
• insect bites;
• burns, including solar;
• diaper rash;
• fungal lesions;
• trophic ulcers;
• bedsores

Pumpkin seed oil is good for all skin types, but is best suited for dry and problematic skin. Creams, ointments and masks are prepared on its basis, which soften, tone and nourish the skin, increase its elasticity, prevent peeling and excessive keratinization. Rubbing the oil into the scalp helps with dandruff and hair loss.

Harm to health

In some cases, the use of pumpkin seed oil inside is contraindicated. It will do more harm than good in the presence of the following conditions ^[8]:

• idiosyncrasy;
• tendency to diarrhea;
• calculous cholecystitis.

In case of endocrine diseases, this fatty product should be consumed with great care and only after consultation with an endocrinologist and related specialists.

How to choose and store

The color of the oil can range from light red to dark green or dark brown. ^[9]. When buying, you should give preference to the raw product (without pre-roasting the seeds). It is better to buy pumpkin seed oil in a small container, because it quickly oxidizes and goes rancid when it comes into contact with air.

It is important to pay attention to the date of manufacture of the product: it is desirable that it be close to the approximate harvest time of the pumpkin (September-October). If the production date is earlier, then this means that the seeds of last year’s pumpkins were used for the production of oil. In this case, there is a possibility of improper storage of the vegetable, which can adversely affect the properties of the product.

The less time has passed from the day the oil was pressed to the moment it was used, the more useful it is. The product can be stored at temperatures from +10°С to +15°С in a place protected from the sun for no more than 10 months from the date of manufacture ^[5]. At the same time, it should be in a dark glass container with a tightly fitting lid.

If the container is opened, then the shelf life of the product should be counted from the day of opening (within the total shelf life). You can store an opened container with a pumpkin fat product without loss of useful properties for no more than five months. ^[10].

Cooking application

Pumpkin seed oil in cooking is not as common as sunflower or olive oil. Its use is limited to salad dressings and ready meals, since heating this product leads to a loss of taste and useful properties.

Oil from pumpkin seeds or dressings based on it is flavored:

• cereal porridge;
• rice;
• dishes from legumes;
• baked vegetables;
• salads;
• meat dishes;
• fish;
• pancakes;
• baking

Well harmonizes pumpkin seed oil with apple cider vinegar or cider.

Conclusions

Pumpkin seeds contain up to 40% fatty oil, so the most useful vegetable oil is obtained from them. The medicinal properties of this product are as follows: lowering cholesterol levels, stimulating digestion, normalizing blood composition, improving metabolic processes.

Contraindications to the use of this product from pumpkin seeds is very small, so it can be eaten even for children and pregnant women.

Pumpkin seed oil is used externally for skin diseases (dermatitis, eczema, acne, psoriasis, bedsores), as well as in cosmetics for different skin types, including problematic and dry.

Along with the healing properties, the taste qualities of this product are highly appreciated. They are filled with various ready-made dishes to give them a piquant nutty flavor and exquisite sweetness.

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