Medicinal Properties: The Styrian pumpkin itself is not used as a food item. It was- if at all - considered suitable for animals only. The vegetable part of its fruit was never a favoured over pumpkin varieties that produce more and better fruit pulp than the Styrian pumpkin. However, the seeds of the pumpkins have been used for ages as "snack-food" especially in the mediterranian area with the known " side-effect" of easing and preventing bladder and prostate problems. This effect makes the Styrian pumpkin seeds so valuable today, since the amount of this beneficial component is significantly higher than in any other variety.The medicinal benefit is so extraordinary that this Styrian variety is grown for the seed's ingredients alone, hence only the seeds are harvested and the pumpkin pulp is discarded as "fertilizer" on the field.

The specific components are known to prevent bladder and prostate problems, even to shrink enlarged prostate glands in early stages. Small amounts are needed. Pharmaceutical capsules contain only minuscule amounts (e.g. 5000 mg = 5g ) of pumpkin seed oil . Chewing a handful of the seeds every other day can easily give a similarly sufficient preventive supply. Pumpkin seed oil is most commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. Small studies have also shown that pumpkin seeds, which contain amino acids, steroidal compounds, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, may lower the risk of certain types of kidney stones and improve symptoms associated with enlarged prostates. Additionally, pumpkin seeds reportedly contain significant amounts of tryptophan and lysine.Some studies have also found pumpkin seeds to prevent arteriosclerosis and regulate cholesterol levels. Pumpkin seed oil, commonly prescribed in German folk medicine, remedies parasitic infestations of the intestinal tract such as tapeworms.

The healing power of pumpkins and pumpkin seeds was discovered a long time ago. For thousands of years the flesh was used for treatment of skin irritations, ulcers and tumors.

Pumpkin seeds have made the news in recent years for their preventative power in relation to prostate conditions and prostate health. Studies now show that prostate enlargement may be slowed, stopped and even reversed.

Styrian pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and essential fatty acids- all of which are in short supply in most men suffering from prostate enlargement.

For centuries, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil have been used as a natural remedy for irritation of the bladder and kidneys as well as for prostate irregularities. Now considered a superfood, the active ingredients in pumpkin seeds normalize and strengthen the musculature of the bladder and have a positive and prophylactic effect on benign prostate growths (benign Prostatahyperplasie BPH) in the first and second stages.

If used as a preventative measure early enough or as a supplement to a regular diet, the nutrients in pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil could contribute to avoiding urinary tract and prostate issues later in life especially in men over 40 years old.

There hasn't been any indication that eating pumpkin seeds or pumpkin seed oil, even in higher doses, has any side effects. Neither does it produce any complication when taken in combination with other foods or medicines.

Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil, in compared to the other oils studied, shows the highest antioxidation effect, according to Albin Hermetter from the research center “Institute of Biochemistry” Graz University of Technology in Austria. - see full article here.

In a study made in 1979 by a group of Viennese doctors, the goal of the research was to determine whether ingestion of pumpkin seed granules (ground pumpkin seeds) would contribute to the improvement in the condition of an enlarged prostate (first stage)

The study was performed on 101 men and lasted eight weeks. About half of the subjects suffered from an enlarged prostate. During the eight weeks, the subjects took a tablespoon of pumpkin seed granules produced from the Styrian oil pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo styriaca) three times daily.

Test results:

All subjects affected with prostate hyperplasia reported a marked improvement of the condition. The unpleasantness experienced in voiding the bladder was significantly reduced, and in some cases eliminated. Measurements in milliliters were taken of the amount of urine passed in a day divided by the number of urinations per day. In 20 percent of the cases it was found that the size of the prostate had been reduced.

Other therapeutic effects:

Help reduce risk of: arteriosclerosis, heart disease, strokes, cancer, osteoporosis, kidney stone formation.

Helps regulate: heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, inflammation, liver, bladder and urinary tract and prostate functions.

Aids in: nourishing & healing the digestive tract, fighting infections and parasites, smoother and healthier skin, fighting dental cavities.

Antioxidation effects - a study shows Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil has the highest protective effect:

Research findings:

Native Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil protects against "free radicals" and exceeds other oils in antioxidation effects.

Compared to other unrefined vegetable oils, Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil has the greatest protective effect against health-threatening "free radicals" - aggressive molecules. This was the finding of a comparative clinical trial conducted by the Institute for Biochemistry of the Technische University,Graz

The dark green colour of Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil, rests on the phytochemicals present in the oil, which are mainly carotenoid (lutein) and porphyrin (chlorophyll) phytochemicals.

Biologically valuable fatty acids: Omega 3 (polyunsaturated fatty acid)

Omega 6 (unsaturated fatty acid)

Essential amino acid: Tryptophan which the body needs to synthesize proteins.

Vitamins: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E (5 times richer in Vitamin E the olive oil)

Minerals: phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.

Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil P.G.I. scores with its combination of antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids, an extremely high vitamin E content, and phytochemicals.

Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil P.G.I is also naturally cholesterol free.

This information has been carefully compiled from relevant research. However, it in no way is meant to serve as a substitute for responsible medical diagnosis, treatment, and therapy. All recommendations made here cannot be guaranteed, and the author can take no responsibility for complications that might result from treatments made based on the information provided here.

Pumpkin Seeds

In-depth nutrient analysis: