Pumpkin Seed Oil Side Effects

With a nutty taste, pumpkin seed oil is a nice complement to salads and fresh vegetables as a dressing. It should not be used for frying or sautéing because it smokes at a very low temperature.

PUMPKIN – Uses, Side Effects, and More

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is a plant native to South America that now grows worldwide. The seed and its oil are used to make medicine.

The chemicals in pumpkin seed can increase urination, which might help relieve bladder and prostate discomfort. Some chemicals might also reduce swelling in the prostate. The pumpkin fruit and seed are commonly used in foods.

People commonly use pumpkin for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is also used for balding, UTIs, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Taking pumpkin seed or pumpkin see oil products by mouth might help relieve BPH symptoms.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Pumpkin is likely safe when eaten in foods. It is possibly safe to take pumpkin seed or pumpkin seed oil in medicinal amounts. Side effects from pumpkin products are rare, but might include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea. It might also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions in some people.

When applied to the skin: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if pumpkin seed oil is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When applied to the skin: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if pumpkin seed oil is safe or what the side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if pumpkin is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with usual food amounts.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Lithium interacts with PUMPKIN

Dosing

Pumpkin fruit and seed are commonly eaten in foods. As a supplement, there isn’t enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of pumpkin might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

REFERENCES:

Assouly P. Hair loss associated with cucurbit poisoning. JAMA Dermatol. 2018 May 1;154(5):617-618. View abstract.

Carbin BE, Larsson B, Lindahl O. Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with phytosterols. Br J Urol 1990;66:639-41. View abstract.

Cho YH, Lee SY, Jeong DW, et al. Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:549721. View abstract.

Coulson S, Rao A, Beck SL, Steels E, Gramotnev H, Vitetta L. A phase II randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Complement Ther Med 2013;21(3):172-9. View abstract.

De Bellis L, Gonzali S, Alpi A, et al. Purification and characterization of a novel pumpkin short-chain acyl-coenzyme A oxidase with structural similarity to acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenases. Plant Physiol 2000;123:327-34. View abstract.

Durante M, Lenucci MS, Mita G. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of carotenoids from pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.): a review. Int J Mol Sci 2014;15(4):6725-40. View abstract.

Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler’s Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.

Friederich M, Theurer C, Schiebel-Schlosser G. [Prosta Fink Forte capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Multicentric surveillance study in 2245 patients]. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2000;7:200-4. View abstract.

Gauruder-Burmester A, Heim S, Patz B, Seibt S. Cucurbita pepo-Rhus aromatica-Humulus lupulus combination reduces overactive bladder symptoms in women – a noninterventional study. Planta Med. 2019;85(13):1044-53. View abstract.

Gawryjolek J, Ludwig H, Zbikowska-Götz M, Bartuzi Z, Krogulska A. Anaphylaxis after consumption of pumpkin seeds in a 2-y-old child tolerant to its pulp: A case study. Nutrition 2021;89:111272. View abstract.

Ibrahim IM, Hasan MS, Elsabaa KI, Elsaie ML. Pumpkin seed oil vs. minoxidil 5% topical foam for the treatment of female pattern hair loss: A randomized comparative trial. J Cosmet Dermatol 2021 Feb 5. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13976. View abstract.

Marks L, Partin AW, Epstein JI, et al. Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol 2000;163:1451-6. View abstract.

Medjakovic S, Hobiger S, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Bucar F, Jungbauer A. Pumpkin seed extract: cell growth inhibition of hyperplastic and cancer cells, independent of steroid hormone receptors. Fitoterapia 2016;110:150-6. View abstract.

Shirvan MK, Mahboob MR, Masuminia M, Mohammadi S. Pumpkin seed oil (prostafit) or prazosin? Which one is better in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Pak Med Assoc 2014;64(6):683-5. View abstract.

Vahlensieck W, Theurer C, Pfitzer E, Patz B, Banik N, Engelmann U. Effects of pumpkin seed in men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in the one-year, randomized, placebo-controlled GRANU study. Urol Int 2015;94(3):286-95. View abstract.

What Is Pumpkin Seed Oil?

Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist.

Updated on December 01, 2022

Melissa Nieves, LND, RD, is a registered dietitian working for a private practice.

Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak

Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Pumpkin seed oil, also called pepita oil, is used in cooking and as a health supplement. It’s thought to lower cholesterol, ease symptoms of an enlarged prostate, reduce hot flashes, and reverse hair loss. While its medicinal benefits are widely touted, there’s little available evidence to support the health benefits of pumpkin seed oil.

Extracted from the seeds of a pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), pumpkin seed oil is a rich, rust color. Pumpkin seed oil contains fatty acids and phytosterols (a plant compound that interferes with cholesterol absorption in the intestine). Both of these nutrients are good for heart health.

This article examines pumpkin seed oil, its uses, and possible side effects. It also discusses dosage and preparation.

Dietary supplements are not regulated in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement that has been tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF.

However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn’t mean that they are necessarily safe for everyone or effective in general. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and to check in about any potential interactions with other supplements or medications.

Supplement Facts

Active ingredient(s):Cucurbita pepo
Alternate name(s): Pumpkin seed oil, pepita oil
Legal status: Available over the counter (OTC)
Suggested dose: Many supplements come in 1,000 milligram (mg) dosages; as food, 1 tablespoon (tbsp)
Safety considerations: Some people have pumpkin seed allergies

Uses of Pumpkin Seed Oil

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or doctor. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Cooking

With a nutty taste, pumpkin seed oil is a nice complement to salads and fresh vegetables as a dressing. It should not be used for frying or sautéing because it smokes at a very low temperature.

Heart Health

Pumpkin seed oil’s phytosterols and unsaturated fatty acid content have prompted research on its potential to lower cholesterol.

For example, a 2020 study published in The Journal of Food Science and Technology evaluated the effect of pumpkin seed oil on cholesterol and blood pressure. Researchers randomly assigned 120 participants with one or more health conditions, including dyslipidemia (abnormal blood lipids), hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and obesity, to an intervention or control group.

The intervention group received 1,000 mg of pumpkin seed oil, and the control group received a placebo. Both adhered to the American Heart Association’s heart-healthy dietary guidelines. Compared to the control group, the pumpkin seed oil group showed a significant reduction in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure and an increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Hair Loss

In animal experiments, phytosterols are antiandrogenic (meaning it blocks some hormones, including testosterone, from binding to receptors). Since testosterone activity plays a role in androgenetic alopecia (also called male pattern baldness), some researchers have wondered if those antiandrogenic effects could help hair loss.

For example, in a 2014 study, researchers looked at hair growth in males who took pumpkin seed oil. Participants took either a placebo or 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil daily for 24 weeks. Those who took the pumpkin seed oil saw a 40% increase in hair count, while those who took the placebo saw only a 10% increase in hair count. Even so, while the research is promising, some experts have challenged the study as incomplete.

A more recent 2021 study in The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology compared pumpkin seed oil to minoxidil 5% foam on female pattern hair loss. Researchers randomly assigned participants to a pumpkin seed or minoxidil group for three months. The pumpkin seed group experienced a significant increase in upright regrowing hairs.

Menopausal Symptoms

Pumpkin seeds contain phytoestrogens, which are plant components that act as estrogens in the body. This has prompted some research on whether pumpkin seed oil could help with menopausal symptoms.

In a 2011 pilot study, researchers evaluated the effect of pumpkin seed oil on cholesterol and menopausal symptoms. Researchers gave 35 postmenopausal participants either pumpkin seed oil or wheat germ oil. They found that those who took pumpkin seed oil had increased HDL cholesterol and decreased diastolic blood pressure.

Additionally, the pumpkin seed oil group had significant improvement in menopausal symptoms, including:

Hot flashes
Headaches
Joint pain

The study authors said more research is needed to confirm their results.

Urinary Tract Health

The linoleic acid, oleic acid, and microelements in pumpkin seed oil have caused some researchers to wonder if pumpkin seed oil could improve urinary tract health. As such, some research has evaluated pumpkin seed oil’s effect on overactive bladder (a sudden and frequent need to urinate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, commonly known as enlarged prostate).

In a 2014 study, researchers examined whether pumpkin seed oil improved overactive bladder. Researchers gave 45 participants pumpkin seed oil extract for 12 weeks. The study found that pumpkin seed oil significantly reduced overactive bladder symptoms.

Another 2021 randomized clinical trial compared pumpkin seed oil to Flomax (tamsulosin), a drug that treats prostate inflammation, on BPH symptom relief. Researchers randomized participants to receive 0.4 mg tamsulosin daily or 360 mg pumpkin seed oil twice a day.

Researchers found significant improvements in both groups. However, while the tamsulosin group experienced side effects like dizziness, headache, retrograde ejaculation (in which semen ejaculates backwards into the bladder), and erythema (skin redness), the pumpkin seed group did not.

Other

In addition to the potential health benefits listed above, some people use pumpkin seed oil to support:

Metabolic disease (a group of conditions that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease)
Depression
Contact dermatitis

What Are the Side Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil?

Your healthcare provider may recommend taking pumpkin seed oil for health conditions like BPH, menopausal symptoms, or hair loss. However, consuming a supplement like pumpkin seed oil may have potential side effects. Research on pumpkin seed oil is limited but indicates that it does not usually produce side effects when taken as directed.

However, some people with food allergies or sensitivities may experience gastrointestinal symptoms or a rash.

Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak

Precautions

Pregnant or lactating people should avoid taking pumpkin seed oil in amounts higher than those found in food. That is because there is not enough evidence to support its safety in those groups.

Dosage: How Much Pumpkin Seed Oil Should I Take?

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the ingredients and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.

In research, study participants took the following dosages of pumpkin seed oil:

1,000 mg for cholesterol and blood pressure
400 mg for hair loss
2,000 mg for menopausal symptoms
360 mg for BPH

What Happens If I Take Too Much Pumpkin Seed Oil?

There is no recommended dosage or safe upper limit established for pumpkin seed oil. Therefore, working with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage for you is essential. If you take more than what is recommended on a supplement label or more than your healthcare provider recommends, seek medical attention.

How to Store Pumpkin Seed Oil

Keep pumpkin seed oil in a cool cupboard, away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration is often recommended after opening.

If you refrigerate your pumpkin oil, bring it to room temperature before you use it. When stored properly, pumpkin oil can last up to two years.

Sources of Pumpkin Seed Oil

Pumpkin seed oil is available as a cooking oil and as a supplement.

Food Sources of Pumpkin Seed Oil

Pumpkin seed oil is available as a cooking oil. It has a nutty flavor, and you can use it in salad dressings and marinades. One tablespoon contains 130 calories and 14 grams of fat.

Pumpkin Seed Oil Supplements

As a supplement, pumpkin seed oil comes in dosages between 100 mg and 2,000 mg. Supplements come in soft gels, capsules, and liquid. Cold-pressed oil is considered to have more health benefits than oil extracted with heat.

Summary

Pumpkin seed oil comes from the seeds of the pumpkin. It is sold for cooking and as a health supplement. Some people take pumpkin seed oil to lower cholesterol, treat hair loss, ease menopause symptoms, and improve urinary health. While there is some research supporting these benefits, it is limited.

You can get more pumpkin seed oil in your diet by taking supplements or adding it to sauces and dressings. Look for cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil and store it in a cool place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does pumpkin seed oil regrow hair?

Possibly. Some research has found pumpkin seed oil can increase hair growth and hair count. For example, one study gave men 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil for 24 weeks. It found increased hair growth after treatment.

Can you cook with pumpkin seed oil?

Yes, but only for dishes that do not require heating. The oil smokes when cooked, even at low temperatures. Use pumpkin seed oil in salad dressings, drizzle it over soups or roasted vegetables before serving, or mix it into ice cream.

Does pumpkin seed oil increase breast size?

Probably not. Pumpkin seed is sometimes recommended as a supplement to enhance breasts. That is because it has estrogenic properties. However, there is no research to confirm this benefit.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kang XC, Chen T, Zhou JL, et al. Phytosterols in hull-less pumpkin seed oil, rich in ∆7-phytosterols, ameliorate benign prostatic hyperplasia by lowing 5α-reductase and regulating balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis in rats. Food Nutr Res. 2021;65:10.29219/fnr.v65.7537. Published 2021 Dec 2. doi:10.29219/fnr.v65.7537
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Organic pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin.
Majid AK, Ahmed Z, Khan R. Effect of pumpkin seed oil on cholesterol fractions and systolic/diastolic blood pressure. Food Sci Technol. 2020;40(3):769-777. doi: 10.1590/fst.03720
Cho YH, Lee SY, Jeong DW, et al. Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:54972. doi:10.1155/2014/549721
Ibrahim IM, Hasan MS, Elsabaa KI, Elsaie ML. Pumpkin seed oil vs. minoxidil 5% topical foam for the treatment of female pattern hair loss: A randomized comparative trial.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(9):2867-2873. doi:10.1111/jocd.13976
Gossell-Williams M, Hyde C, Hunter T, et al. Improvement in HDL cholesterol in postmenopausal women supplemented with pumpkin seed oil: pilot study. Climacteric. 2011;14(5):558-564. doi:10.3109/13697137.2011.563882
Nishimura M, Ohkawara T, Sato H, et al. Pumpkin seed oil extracted from Cucurbita maxima improves urinary disorder in human overactive bladder. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(1):72-4. doi: 10.4103/2225-4110.124355
Shaban A, Sahu RP. Pumpkin seed oil: an alternative medicine. Int J Pharmacogn Phytochem Res. 2017;9(2):223-7. doi:10.25258/phyto.v9i2.8066

Additional Reading

Morrison MC, Mulder P, Stavro PM, et al. Replacement of dietary saturated fat by PUFA-rich pumpkin seed oil attenuates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis development, with additional health effects of virgin over refined oil. PLoS One. 2015;10(9):e0139196. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0139196

By Malia Frey, MA, CHC, CPT
Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist.

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Pumpkin Seed Oil Side Effects

PUMPKIN – Uses, Side Effects, and More