Last verified: 17 days ago
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Also known as: PSO, Cucurbita pepo seed oil, pepita oil
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Plant oil with early evidence for prostate symptom relief and hair growth support.
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What it does
Pumpkin seed oil is a natural oil pressed from the seeds of Cucurbita pepo. Early clinical trials suggest it may help reduce urinary symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at 360...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
360-3000 mg daily depending on use case
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Found in
Halo Beauty Hair Skin Nails Booster, NOW Zinc Glycinate 120 Softgels, Prostate Support and 1 more
What the Science Says
Pumpkin seed oil is a natural oil pressed from the seeds of Cucurbita pepo. Early clinical trials suggest it may help reduce urinary symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at 360 mg twice daily, though it works more slowly than the prescription drug tamsulosin. Small studies also show it may support hair regrowth in both men and women with pattern hair loss, and may modestly lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women.
What It Doesn't Do
Not a proven treatment for COVID-19 — the squalene studies extracted a single compound from the oil, not the oil itself. Won't replace prescription BPH medications. No solid evidence it prevents cancer in humans. Not a proven testosterone booster despite marketing claims. The anti-cancer cell studies are lab-only — no human cancer treatment data.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Reduces urinary symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, though slower than prescription drugs.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 360 mg twice daily
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Supports hair regrowth in women with pattern hair loss, comparable to minoxidil 5% foam in a small trial.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: Topical application; dose not specified in study
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
May lower systolic blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with elevated BP.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 3 g/day for 6 weeks
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic studies were provided. As a lipid-based oil, fat-soluble components likely absorb reasonably well with food, but no clinical absorption data exists in the provided papers.
Red Flags to Watch For
- One paper on a sunscreen formulation containing PSO was retracted — raises quality control concerns about some PSO research
- Most human trials are small (under 40 participants) and short-term, limiting confidence in results
- BPH symptom relief was slower and less effective than tamsulosin — do not substitute for prescribed medications without medical guidance
- High-dose intranasal application showed dose-dependent cell toxicity in lab studies — avoid unapproved delivery routes
- Many products on the market (1000+ registered) vary widely in quality, purity, and fatty acid composition
Products Containing Pumpkin Seed Oil
See how Pumpkin Seed Oil is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pumpkin Seed Oil do?
Plant oil with early evidence for prostate symptom relief and hair growth support.
What is the effective dose of Pumpkin Seed Oil?
360-3000 mg daily depending on use case
Is Pumpkin Seed Oil safe?
One paper on a sunscreen formulation containing PSO was retracted — raises quality control concerns about some PSO research
What doesn't Pumpkin Seed Oil do?
Not a proven treatment for COVID-19 — the squalene studies extracted a single compound from the oil, not the oil itself.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25