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Supplements/Compound

Pumpkin Seed Oil

aka Cucurbita pepo

Cold-pressed seed oil studied for hair density and prostate health.

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Overview

Cold-pressed seed oil studied for hair density and prostate health.

Natural sources
  • Endogenously produced or biosynthesized molecule
  • Standardized pharmaceutical- or food-grade supplement
  • Combined with cofactors that improve absorption or activity
Common forms
  • Capsule or softgel
  • Powder
  • Sublingual or buccal
  • Liposomal liquid

Mechanism of action

Phytosterols (β-sitosterol, delta-7 sterols) may inhibit 5α-reductase; rich in zinc and EFAs.

Pathways
  • · Phytosterols (β-sitosterol, delta-7 sterols) may inhibit 5α-reductase
  • · rich in zinc

Effects on the body

Supports
Increased hair count vs placebo in men with AGA (Cho 2014)
Supports
Improved BPH-related QoL

Organ system effects

Reproductive

Pumpkin Seed Oil influences androgen signaling, prostate health, or male reproductive function.

Evidence-based benefits

Increased hair count vs placebo in men with AGA (Cho 2014)

Limited evidence

Improved BPH-related QoL

Limited evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Pumpkin Seed Oil is generally well-tolerated at evidence-based doses
  • · Mild GI discomfort (nausea, loose stools, or bloating) possible at higher intakes
  • · Headache or transient fatigue reported by a small fraction of users
Rare
  • · Allergic or hypersensitivity reaction (rash, itching, swelling)
  • · Sleep disturbance if taken late in the day
Serious
  • · Discontinue and seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, persistent, or include difficulty breathing

Drug interactions

Prescription medications (general)
Always disclose Pumpkin Seed Oil use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
minor

Supplement interactions

Pairs well with
  • A high-quality multivitamin
    Covers micronutrient cofactors that support most supplement pathways.
  • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
    Foundational anti-inflammatory support that complements most regimens.
Avoid combining with

No specific avoidances listed.

Dosing & bioavailability

Typical dose
400 mg × 2/d (study dose)
Best form
Most evidence is based on the capsule or softgel form.
Timing
Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
With food?
With food

Where to buy

Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

Scientific evidence9Show studies
RCTEvid Based Complement Alternat Med · 2014

Pumpkin seed oil and hair growth in androgenetic alopecia

Cho YH, et al.

24-week RCT of 400 mg/d pumpkin seed oil.

Key findings

40% increase in hair count vs placebo.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Pumpkin Seed Oil — Increased hair count vs placebo in men with AGA

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Pumpkin Seed Oil Increased hair count vs placebo in men with AGA" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pumpkin Seed Oil and "Increased hair count vs placebo in men with AGA". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Pumpkin Seed Oil — Improved BPH-related QoL

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Pumpkin Seed Oil Improved BPH-related QoL" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pumpkin Seed Oil and "Improved BPH-related QoL". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Pumpkin Seed Oil — randomized controlled trial

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Pumpkin Seed Oil randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pumpkin Seed Oil and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Pumpkin Seed Oil — meta-analysis

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Pumpkin Seed Oil meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pumpkin Seed Oil and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Pumpkin Seed Oil — pharmacokinetics

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Pumpkin Seed Oil pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pumpkin Seed Oil and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Pumpkin Seed Oil — safety adverse events

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Pumpkin Seed Oil safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pumpkin Seed Oil and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Pumpkin Seed Oil — dose response

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Pumpkin Seed Oil dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pumpkin Seed Oil and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

Google Scholar: Pumpkin Seed Oil — clinical evidence

Live Scholar search

Cross-database citation index for Pumpkin Seed Oil as it relates to "clinical evidence".

Key findings

Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

Open study
Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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