Florentina Lewis
The pumpkin seed oil made from roasted pumpkin seeds is said to have a positive effect in the medical and cosmetic field due to numerous health-promoting ingredients. But what exactly makes pumpkin seed oil so healthy and how does it work from the inside and outside?
Pumpkin seed oil is not only delicious but also healthy. Nevertheless, it is still more of an insider tip among the edible oils that are also suitable for the care of skin and hair.
Production of Pumpkin Seed Oil
In principle, healthy pumpkin seed oil can be obtained from the seeds of most garden and giant pumpkins.
After a thorough cleaning, the kernels are dried, ground, roasted, and later mixed with salt and water so that the proteins and fats separate from each other. After heating the mass, the water evaporates and the pumpkin seeds can be pressed.
The result is aromatic pumpkin seed oil. The greenish and partly red-fluorescent color is caused by the chlorophyll contained in the shell. For one liter of pumpkin seed oil, you need about 35 pumpkins or three kilograms of seeds.
Ingredients: This is what makes pumpkin seed oil so healthy
Many important vitamins, trace elements, minerals, and fatty acids ensure that pumpkin seed oil is classified as so healthy.
The most important ingredients are:
- magnesium
- calcium
- copper
- selenium
- zinc
- potassium
- phosphorus
- manganese
- Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, D, and E
- phytosterol
Effect: These 6 reasons make pumpkin seed oil so healthy
Pumpkin seed oil is versatile and full of healthy ingredients. Six important advantages of the oil at a glance.
- Metabolism stimulating: Pumpkin seed oil stimulates the metabolism and thus contributes to the body being supplied with vitamins, hormones, enzymes and toxins, and waste products being transported out of the body.
- Cholesterol Lowering: Consuming oil can help settle the stomach and lower cholesterol. Specifically, the substance beta-sitosterol is responsible for this.
- Good for the bladder: numerous studies show that the oil has a positive effect on the bladder and urinary tract and helps with an irritable bladder, for example.
- Relieves prostate problems: The beta-sitosterol it contains is also often used in medicine to treat prostate disorders. For example, the pumpkin seed oil is said to have healing effects on age-related enlarged prostates. This was reported by a Korean study from 2009.
- Strengthens the immune system: The high proportion of antioxidants strengthens the immune system and thereby curbs infections. The anti-inflammatory effect of pumpkin seed oil can also help with joint problems such as rheumatism.
- Slows down cell aging: The ingredients selenium and vitamin E protect the body from free radicals through their antioxidant effect and have a positive effect on cell aging.
Can pumpkin seed oil increase male potency?
There is an assumption that the oleic and linoleic acid in pumpkin seed oil should have a potency-enhancing effect. The contained vitamin E should also play a role, as it stimulates the male gonads. As a result, the man’s testicles produce more sex hormones. However, the potency-enhancing effect has not been scientifically proven.
Can you fry pumpkin seed oil?
Since pumpkin seed oil contains many unsaturated fatty acids, the so-called smoke point is 120 °C. Not only are valuable ingredients lost in the process, a toxic substance called acrolein is also produced after the smoke point has been reached. Pumpkin seed oil is therefore not suitable for roasting and deep-frying but is better used for cold dishes.
Internal use of pumpkin seed oil
To be able to fully exploit the positive effects of pumpkin seed oil, you should regularly integrate it into your diet, preferably daily. One to three tablespoons of it in the salad dressing, on a plate of soup, or with bread and salt are enough here. If you don’t like the special nutty taste, you can also take pumpkin seed oil in the form of capsules or tablets. Pay attention to the correct dosage as specified in the package leaflet.
External use: Pumpkin seed oil for the skin
In cosmetics, the pumpkin seed oil is used as a carrier oil. The content of vitamins A, E, and various carotenoids ensures a nourishing effect on the skin. For example, pumpkin seed oil works well in homemade face masks, foot baths, lotions, or soaps. A few drops of pure pumpkin seed oil can also counteract drying out of the skin, reduce stretch marks and small scars and reduce symptoms of acne and psoriasis. In the case of long-term or intensive use on the face, however, a dermatologist or alternative practitioner should be consulted beforehand.
External use: Pumpkin seed oil for hair
The pumpkin seed oil contains large amounts of vitamins and minerals and can therefore regenerate and care for the scalp, as well as strengthen the hair and accelerate hair growth. The contained vitamin A can prevent hair loss and together with vitamin B it makes the hair smooth and shiny. Various applications of pumpkin seed oil are possible:
- You can put the pumpkin seed oil in the ends after washing your hair. This protects against hair breakage and strengthens the hair.
- For a shiny and smooth effect, you can put the pumpkin seed oil in your hair once or twice a week and wash it out with shampoo after a short exposure time.
- For an even more intensive effect of the oil on the scalp and hair: Put one or two tablespoons of the oil in your hair in the evening, wrap your hair in a towel overnight and wash it out well the next morning.
