Scientific name
Cucurbita pepo
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Origin
Pumpkin is a plant native to America, now grown ubiquitously in warm and temperate climates.
Parts Used
Drug consisting of ripe and dried pumpkin seeds or the lipid-sterol extract of the seeds.
Chemical constituents
- Triterpenes;
- Phytosterins;
- Vitamin E;
- Proteins;
- Mineral salts (selenium);
- Fatty acids;
- Pectins;
- Salicylic acid;
- Lignans;
- Cucurbitina.
However, the main constituent is oil (30-50%) with its content of fatty acids including oleic (24-38%), linoleic (43-56%), tocopherols and carotenoids (lutein and β-carotene).
Pumpkin in Herbalist: Properties of the Pumpkin
Pumpkin seeds have always been considered an excellent remedy for intestinal worms; today they are proposed for the treatment of disorders related to prostatic hypertrophy, thanks to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and enzymatic activity.
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