Just about everyone has seen, eaten, or used a pumpkin in some way, shape, or form. They are the symbol of Halloween and the Fall season and can be used in many different ways. Their seeds are usually roasted and eaten in the Autumn, their insides are hollowed out and used to create Jack O’ Lanterns at Halloween, and the meat is great for making pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.
But did you know that there are other more medicinal uses for the traditional pumpkin? More and more, scientists and researchers are using pumpkin seed extract to make medicine and supplements for certain types of ailments. The most popular ailment that pumpkin seed extract is used for is benign prostatic hyperplasia, which can cause trouble urinating and give you more urinary tract problems.
What Is Pumpkin Seed Extract?
Pumpkin seed extract is primarily used in treating bladder infections and other bladder issues because it causes frequent urination. By emptying the bladder frequently, the person suffering from these issues can actually get rid of any bacteria and germs inside their bladder faster. If someone is having a harder time with bladder issues and simply taking the pumpkin seed extract by itself is not helping, they can also combine it with other herbs or supplements to help keep things moving along.
Pumpkin Seed Extract Health Benefits
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most common ailment that pumpkin seed extract is used to treat, but it can also treat symptoms of bladder irritations and kidney infections. Though there is not enough concrete research on these infections, and it is best not to rely completely on pumpkin seed extract to get rid of the symptoms and treat the infections. Let’s take a closer look at these uses for pumpkin seed extract.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
BPH is the most common ailment that is treated by pumpkin seed extract. BPH is an enlarged prostate that causes trouble urinating and can cause other bladder-related symptoms and problems. Treating BPH is not the easiest thing, as men can develop other problems that can make symptoms worse and can elongate the time that they have BPH. The most effective treatment for BPH has been a combination of pumpkin seed extract with other herbs or supplements.
By combining two different supplements that have the same goal, BPH becomes easier to treat. Because the pumpkin seed extract can help to release more bacteria through frequent urination, BPH can be resolved a lot faster than with other medications alone. Some research shows that if you combine pumpkin seed extract with an antibiotic from your doctor, you have a greater chance at kicking BPH for good. By completely ridding your system of the infection, you have a smaller chance of the infection coming back.
Kidney and Bladder Infections
Pumpkin seed extract is used for kidney infections in pretty much the same way that it is used for BPH, to help create more frequent urination. Kidney infections can happen when bacteria builds up in the bladder and carries over into the kidneys. If one is not careful, they could develop a serious kidney infection which could become life threatening if it goes unchecked.
If you know that you have kidney or bladder infections often, you can help to prevent them entirely by simply adding pumpkin seed supplements to your daily medication routine. By building up a large amount of pumpkin seed extract in your body, you can increase the number of times that you urinate throughout the day. By doing this, you will be able to make sure that you empty your bladder completely every time, which will cut down on the chances you have to develop an infection.
Risks and Side Effects
There are some side effects and other general warnings that come with consuming pumpkin seed extract and they should be discussed with your doctor before you begin taking any of the supplements made from pumpkin extract. Due to a lack of research studies being performed, you should steer clear of all pumpkin seed extracts if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you are still nursing.
There have not been any studies done to know if pumpkin seed extract could do harm to an unborn baby or if it would affect the milk that is being produced by a nursing mother. While it is generally safe for consumption in food forms and some medicinal forms, it has been shown to cause sexual problems in men. In order to make sure that you would not be affected by this problem, you would need to talk with your doctor and possibly have some tests run.
People who are in an overall healthy state should have no issues taking pumpkin seed extract on a regular basis. It is best to remember that some doctors suggest that you do not take supplements for long periods of time, as there is not enough research to show how taking a supplement long term can affect your overall health.
Pumpkin seed supplements are taken by mouth up to three times a day, and it is recommended based on research studies that it is taken in combination with other supplements. By doing this you are slightly lowering the effect and also helping to keep yourself protected from any side effects that you may experience if you took it on its own.
Consumers should be aware that pumpkin seed supplements can act like a water pill, which is the reason for the frequent urination. It can also cause a negative reaction with the bodies’ ability to get rid of lithium, which can increase the amount of lithium in your body and cause you to have other health problems. As with any other supplement that you are considering taking, you should always consult with your regular medical doctor before adding pumpkin seed extract to your daily routine. By doing this, you are making sure that you are healthy enough to take the supplement and that it would not affect any other medications that you might be taking.
