Pumpkin Seeds & Pumpkin Seed Oil

Torey

I was working on a project and came across quite a bit of info on pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil.

Pumpkin seeds are very nutritious; high in magnesium (1 oz - 37% RDI), calcium, sodium and phosphorus as well as being a source of potassium, zinc, manganese (1 oz - 42% RDI), iron (1 oz - 23% RDI), selenium and copper. High in antioxidants, particularly Vitamin E. Pumpkin seeds are high in tryptophan which helps regulate sleep. 1 oz. of pumpkin seeds has 1.7 grams of fibre and 7 grams of protein.

Pumpkin seed oil facilitates the body’s production of nitric oxide which helps prevent bladder hyperactivity and improves bladder volume, resulting in less urgency. Studies have shown improvement in overactive bladder symptom scores in patients as well as benign prostate hypertrophy symptom scores,  without any adverse side effects. So, good for men who may be experiencing prostate issues (BPH) or women who may have issues with their pelvic floor or internal organ placement due to childbirth. The German Commission E Herbal monographs approves pumpkin seed for the treatment of “irritated bladder condition and micturition problems of benign prostatic hyperplasia stages 1 and 2”.

Pumpkin seed oil helps prevent stiffening of arteries and improves function, thereby assisting with blood pressure management. The assisted production of nitric oxide also offers a cardioprotective effect. Studies have also shown an increase in HDL and a decrease in LDL when taking pumpkin seed oil.

Pumpkin seeds make a great snack to add to our diets or an ingredient in baked goods or granola. I like mine toasted and added to salads instead of croutons.

Pumpkin seed oil is easy to add to a smoothie. The suggested dose is 10 grams of oil which works out to about 2.5 tsp, although an RDA has not yet been established. 

jowitt.europe

@torey I agree 100% to what you write about the usefulness of pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil. One of the provinces in Austria - Styria produces pumpkin seed oil. It is a kind of national product. We are very fond of it. It is our main oil for salad dressings. It is very tasty. I always add pumpkin seeds to my home made bread.

my husband used to have prostate problems. That was a long time ago. Not any more. He consumes pumpkin seed oil almost daily.

judsoncarroll4

I enjoy them, but I really need to find a good way to shell them. Using my fingertips or teeth, I can only get through maybe 20 before I tire of it.

Torey

@jowitt.europe I discovered that about Styrian pumpkin seed oil. Supposed to be the best PSO available. I should have mentioned that!

It is good to hear anecdotal success stories. Glad your husband has found a solution.

@judsoncarroll4 I cheat. I buy them already shelled at the Bulk Barn. If I get an oil press they don't need shelling before processing so that will make life easier.

judsoncarroll4

I think I have discovered what I have been doing wrong. I have been soaking the seeds in salt water, then roasting them. That seems to make the hull much tougher. Here is better way

https://www.wikihow.com/Shell-Pumpkin-Seeds

Torey

Excellent instructions. Thanks @judsoncarroll4.

My neighbour grew a variety of pumpkin that did really well here, last year. She had so many mature pumpkins that she was giving them away around the neighbourhood. They are pretty isolated from other gardens so I am hoping they didn't get any other pollination and will throw true to the parent as I have saved quite a bit of seed. Its a green, kind of squat pumpkin. I will have to ask if she remembers the variety and where she got them.

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/912055#Comment_912055

They are excellent storage food as well, if just kept from freezing.

jowitt.europe

@judsoncarroll4 thank you sharing this information. I always collect, clean and dry seeds from my pumpkins, but then I shell them manually one after another. It is quite tiring. the article offers a much easier way.

LaurieLovesLearning

@judsoncarroll4 I put a comment in here then deleted it. Maybe I should go back to bed. Lol I was thinking sunflower seeds, not pumpkin seeds.

Buying already shelled seeds is the way to go unless you plant a hulless variety. Those are supposed to supply copious amounts of naturally hulless seeds.

water2world

@ torey Thanks for posting this! Lots of helpful information and great comments! Thanks again!!

Cornelius

@judsoncarroll4 and @LaurieLovesLearning I have a solution to your problem. 😂🤣 There is also an awesome video on this variety on their YouTube channel!

https://www.rareseeds.com/store/vegetables/winter-squash/lady-godiva-squash

LaurieLovesLearning

@Cornelius Our variety here is this one:

https://ttseeds.com/product/pumpkin-naked-bear-hybrid-105-days/

One of the reviews of the Lady Godiva variety said that it was bland. This one is supposed to have a sweet flavor.

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/912146#Comment_912146

Verry cool!