Pumpkin is one of the oldest known foods to mankind. It is believed to be in cultivation from 10,700 BC and originally hails from Mexico! Pumpkin is one of the largest fruits that contain sweet pulp and tons of edible seeds inside them. These seeds are known for their nutritional rich profile and are cold-pressed to extract Pumpkin Essential oil. Widely used for Culinary purposes, Pumpkin oil also offers a number of therapeutic benefits. In this article, we shall explore some of the best pumpkin oil health benefits, along with its nutrition facts and side effects.
What Is Pumpkin Oil?
Pumpkin seeds are rich in oil content, which are extracted using cold press machines. The obtained oil is called Pumpkin oil, which is a golden brown colour with a nutty flavour. It is used as a dressing on salads, soups and other dishes for its intense taste. Styrian pumpkin oil is considered to be the best pumpkin oil in India, which is prepared from high temperature roasted pumpkin seeds.
Is Pumpkin Seed Oil Good For Health?
Pumpkin seed oil offers numerous health benefits to your body. The oil contains good fatty acids, which are important for the wellbeing of your heart. It is an antioxidant-rich agent, which can fight free radicals to prevent many dangerous diseases like Cancers. Pumpkin seed oil is also rich in many nutrients like Magnesium, Phosphorous, Zinc, Manganese, Iron and Copper, all of which are the need for the well-being of your body.
Pumpkin Oil Nutrition Facts:
Below is the breakup of Pumpkin oil Nutritional profile per 28 gms serving:
- Total Calories: 151
- Dietary Fiber: 1.7 gms
- Carbohydrates: 5 gm
- Protein: 7 gms
- Fat: 13 gms
- Vitamin K: 18 %
- Phosphorous: 33 %
- Manganese: 42 %
- Magnesium: 37 %
- Iron: 23 %
- Zinc: 14 %
- Copper: 19 %
How To Make Pumpkin Oil At Home?
The easiest way to enjoy the goodness of Pumpkin seed oil is to buy a good quality oil from a trusted brand. However, if you have a cold press machine at home, you can easily prepare this oil and enjoy its fresh taste. Here is the procedure:
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin Seeds – 2.5 Kg
- Cold Pressed Oil Machine
Preparation Method:
- Wash and dry the seeds thoroughly.
- Roast the seeds at 140 F in an Oven.
- Transfer them to a cold-pressed machine.
- Extract the oil and collect it in a vessel.
- Transfer to a glass bottle and tightly seal it.
Evidence-Based Pumpkin Oil Benefits:
Here we enlisted 17 best pumpkin oil benefits for health, hair and skin. Let’s have a look into them.
1. Pumpkin Oil Lowers Cholesterol:
The consumption of pumpkin seed oil helps to lower the cholesterol which is harmful to the body. Being rich in Omega fatty acids, the Pumpkin seed oil is good for your heart and reduces the risk of sudden strokes. Pumpkin oil is also rich in anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce the inflammation in your arteries.
2. Nourishes Skin:
Everybody loves to have glowing skin. And one of the foods that help you to achieve healthy and glowing skin is pumpkin seed oil. Consume pumpkin seed oil to get a healthy and amazing looking skin. And since it is a natural way of skincare, it is harmless. This is one of the best Pumpkin oil uses.
3. Increases Breast Milk Production:
A newborn baby needs a lot of milk from the mother to grow into a healthy child. Some foods help in enhancing the milk production of the mother and pumpkin seed oil is one food. So, if you are a new mother, do not forget to add pumpkin seed oil into your daily diet in order to provide healthy nutrition to your baby.
4. Lowers Diabetes:
Whenever a person is suffering from diabetes, a lot of foods are restricted to him. And he also needs to become cautious about the choice of foods. Pumpkin seed oil is one such food that helps to your diabetes in control. Therefore, if you are suffering from diabetes, please ensure to add pumpkin seed oil into your diet.
5. Antiarthritic:
Pumpkin seed oil offers anti-inflammatory benefits to the body, making it wonderful for joint-related diseases like arthritis. It can even treat autoimmune diseases like Rheumatism by reducing the tissue inflammation in the joints. So, you will experience reduced swelling, redness and painful conditions. This is one of the best Pumpkin oil health benefits.
See More: Pumpkin Juice Benefits
6. Good Night’s Sleep:
Pumpkin essential oil benefits in sleep improving amino acid tryptophan which helps to convert to serotonin in the body. This is why it helps in inducing good sleep to those who suffer from chronic insomnia. A drop of oil in a glass of warm milk can relax your nerves and make you fall asleep soon.
7. Anti-Oxidant Rich:
Pumpkin seed oil is packed with antioxidants to prevent the oxidative damage caused due to free radicals. It is also rich in many minerals like Magnesium, Zinc and other fatty acids to promote a healthy heart and protect it from serious diseases. Pumpkin seed oil can also lower blood pressure to safeguard your valves. It can also prevent many types of Cancers.
8. Pumpkin Oil Benefits For Weight Loss:
If you are wondering how to lose weight and what food to add in your modified diet then you should consider including pumpkin oil in your diet. It contains an easily digestible protein that helps to stabilize blood sugar when had along with your soups, salads and other healthy foods.
9. Good For Men’s Health:
Pumpkin seeds are high in prostrate protecting minerals such as zinc. This is why Pumpkin seed oil is recommended for men to help in increasing the quality of the sperm produced, along with the quantity. The high amounts of antioxidants can also improve testosterone health in the body.
10. Relief From Menopausal Symptoms:
As per research, the Pumpkin seed oil is known to reduce the symptoms of Menopause such as joint pains, headaches, mood swings and hot flashes. This oil is also a key source of “good” cholesterol levels in the body like the Omega-7 fatty acids. It also strengthens your bones and keeps your skin in good condition.
11. Improved Bladder Functions:
Pumpkin seed oil can strengthen the nerves in your pelvis to gain control of the urinary bladder. It also blocks certain enzymes which lead to many bladder disorders like Overactive bladder, urinary incontinence and bladder spasms. It can even strengthen your bladder tissue to help in expansion and contraction.
See More: Pumpkin In Pregnancy
12. Treats Diabetes:
Pumpkin seed oil is also known to lower blood sugar levels in the body. This is why it is recommended for diabetic patients. Along with the consumption of Seeds, pumpkin seed oil can also decrease the lipid levels in the body, which is very effective for treating and preventing Type-2 Diabetes.
13. Increases Bone Strength:
Pumpkin Seed oil can also strengthen your bones due to its mineral-rich profile. It is loaded with Manganese, Magnesium, Calcium and other key minerals to improve your bone density and prevent it from fractures. Also, by reducing the tissue inflammation, this oil can also support painful joint-related disorders.
14. Prevents Acne:
If you are suffering from acne and pimples, Pumpkin seed oil can offer good relief. It contains high amounts of Zinc and Vitamin E, which can improve your skin tone and also help in the healing of your blemishes. Pumpkin seed oil can also lighten your complexion and lower the severity of eruptions.
15. Anti-Ageing Properties:
Pumpkin seed oil is an elixir for ageing skin. This Vitamin E rich oil can improve the collagen production in your skin and restores its lost glory. It also helps in increasing the elasticity of your skin and smoothen out your wrinkles. Applying this oil regularly can even out your skin tone and reduce fine lines.
16. Pumpkin Oil For Healthy and Long Nails:
If you are a nail maniac, Pumpkin oil is a must-try! This oil can strengthen your nails and prevent them from chipping. The Vitamin E present in this oil can improve the quality of your nails and enable them to grow long and strong. Use it topically and massage your nails with this oil and leave it overnight for best results.
17. Pumpkin Oil Benefits For Hair Growth:
Pumpkin oil is known to stimulate the growth of hair with its mineral-rich profile. It contains many essential acids and antioxidants which reduce the damage on your strands. Besides, this oil can also nourish your hair and make it silky smooth. Not only that! It is also a popular remedy for hair loss as it is also believed to block the DHT, which leads to baldness.
See More: Pumpkin Face Packs
Pumpkin Oil Side Effects:
Pumpkin seed oil must be used with extreme caution and only upon the advice of an expert doctor. Here are some of the rare and common side effects of consuming it orally:
- Stomach Cramps
- Nausea
- Headache
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- High Blood Pressure
- Backache
- Stomach Cramps
- Urinary disorders
Those are some of the unbelievable Pumpkin oil benefits to your body! This oil is widely used in many therapeutic medicines to offer numerous advantages to skin, hair and health. However, you must not use it directly without understanding its dosage limit. Oils like these come with high potency and may lead to many dangerous side effects. So, use it legibly and stick to the dosage limits to enjoy healthy well-being!
