Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima)

Plant product, supplement. In EU – traditional herbal medicinal product per EMA HMPC monograph; AEMPS does not register as monomedicine

ATC code: A11JA-PUMPKIN-SEED-OIL

Brand names – supplements: Now Pumpkin Seed Oil, Solgar Pumpkin Seed Oil, Nature's Way Pumpkin Seed Oil, Swanson Pumpkin Seed OilSupplements are not tested in clinical trials and are not registered as medications.

Updated 24 Sep 2026 · Methodology

Indications

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Adjunct

In mild-to-moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia, Sogabe 2009 RCT (n=47, Korean men) and the larger Vahlensieck 2015 study (n=1431, German Pumpkin Study) showed moderate IPSS reduction of 4–6 points with pumpkin seed oil 320–1000 mg/day × 12 months vs placebo. The effect is clinically smaller than alpha-1 blockers (tamsulosin, silodosin). AUA 2023 and EAU 2024 list alpha-1 blockers (tamsulosin, silodosin) first-line for male LUTS with BPH; with prostate volume >40 mL and progression risk – 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride). HMPC 2012 recognises «traditional use for BPH symptoms». If pumpkin seed oil was recommended for severe symptoms with urinary retention or after acute retention, consider seeking a second opinion from a urologist.

Sources

ICD-10: N40 · ICD-11: GA90

Overactive bladder

Adjunct

Nishimura 2014 RCT (n=39, Japan) showed moderate reductions in urgency incontinence episodes and urinary frequency with pumpkin seed oil from Cucurbita maxima 10 g/day × 12 weeks in overactive bladder patients. HMPC 2012 recognises «traditional use for overactive bladder symptoms» for Cucurbita pepo. AUA/SUFU 2024 for overactive bladder list behavioural therapy (bladder training, pelvic floor exercises) first-line, antimuscarinics (solifenacin, tolterodine, mirabegron) second-line, and botulinum toxin and neuromodulation third-line. Pumpkin seed oil is not in guidelines as standalone therapy. If pumpkin seed oil was recommended for severe urgency incontinence or nocturnal polyuria without workup (urodynamics, voiding diary), consider seeking a second opinion from a urologist.

Sources

ICD-10: N32.8 · ICD-11: GC50.0

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

Androgenetic alopecia

Not recommended

Cho 2014 RCT (n=76, Korea) showed a 40 % hair count increase with pumpkin seed oil 400 mg/day × 24 weeks in men with M-pattern androgenetic alopecia; control group showed no significant changes. Small sample, not reproduced in independent groups. 2024 and SEDEF list oral finasteride 1 mg/day and topical minoxidil 5 % twice daily first-line for male androgenetic alopecia; for women – minoxidil 2–5 %, in postmenopause – spironolactone. Pumpkin seed oil is not in guidelines. If pumpkin seed oil was recommended for marked hair loss instead of finasteride and minoxidil, consider seeking a second opinion from a trichologist or dermatologist.

Sources

ICD-10: L64 · ICD-11: ED70.0

Anti-aging and longevity

Not recommended

Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima) is a plant oil rich in fatty acids and tocopherols, marketed as a way to slow aging and support longevity. No convincing benefit for this use has been shown: there is no evidence that it affects lifespan or the aging process. What actually moves the needle on aging are everyday habits you control – sleep, diet, physical activity, not smoking, and protecting skin from the sun. The oil is harmless at usual amounts, but do not use it in place of measures and treatments with proven benefit, or you may miss what really works.

Sources

EFSA: Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to various foods/food constituents – no anti-aging claim approved (2010)

How to read tiers A–F

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit

Mechanism of action

Pumpkin seed oil contains phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, delta-7 sterols), essential fatty acids (linoleic, oleic), zinc, selenium, tocopherols and carotenoids. Phytosterols show weak antiandrogenic activity in vitro and in animal models via 5-alpha-reductase inhibition and competition with dihydrotestosterone for prostate receptors. Delta-7 sterols affect prostatic glandular tissue proliferation. In benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) RCTs, pumpkin seed oil 320–1000 mg/day showed moderate International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) reduction. HMPC 2012 recognised Cucurbita pepo as a traditional herbal medicinal product for BPH and overactive bladder symptoms.

Safety

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to pumpkin family
Pregnancy and lactation (concentrated supplement forms)
Children under 12 (concentrated supplement forms)
Severe hepatic and renal impairment

Serious adverse effects

Allergic reactions up to anaphylaxis (rare, in patients with polyvalent seed allergy)
Prostate cancer symptom masking with delayed PSA workup

Common adverse effects

Gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea
Diarrhoea at high doses
Allergic skin reactions
Oily-smelling eructation

Pregnancy: can you take Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima)?

Dietary pumpkin seeds are safe at any gestational age. Avoid concentrated supplement forms in pregnancy – no RCT data. EMA HMPC 2012 lists pregnancy as contraindication for the traditional herbal medicinal product. AEMPS does not register as medicine.

Breastfeeding: can you take Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima)?

Dietary pumpkin seeds are safe. Avoid concentrated supplement forms during lactation.

Calculate RID

Reference information, not a clinical decision. Discuss feeding pauses or changes with your physician or an IBCLC.

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Frequently asked

What is Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima) used for?

Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima) is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Overactive bladder (evidence tier C), Benign prostatic hyperplasia (evidence tier C), Androgenetic alopecia (evidence tier D). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.

What are the side effects of Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima)?

Common side effects of Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima) (≥ 1 in 100): Gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, Diarrhoea at high doses, Allergic skin reactions, Oily-smelling eructation. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima) safe during pregnancy?

Is Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima) compatible with breastfeeding?

Dietary pumpkin seeds are safe. Avoid concentrated supplement forms during lactation.

Who should not take Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima)?

Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima) is contraindicated in: Hypersensitivity to pumpkin family; Pregnancy and lactation (concentrated supplement forms); Children under 12 (concentrated supplement forms); Severe hepatic and renal impairment. Full list in the Safety section.

Other drugs in this group

Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract, Pinus pinaster), Pyridoxine (vitamin B6), Quercetin, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, lingzhi), Spirulina, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Creatine monohydrate, Mixed tocopherols