Pumpkin Seed Oil: Correct Dosage, Timing and Side Effects

Pumpkin oil when to takeThere are 2 ways to take pumpkin seed oil. In 1000 mg capsules, like these recommended ones on Amazon, which are admittedly more convenient and portable.

Or by the teaspoon from the bottle, which is usually better value and more enjoyable if you like the taste. Remember to keep it in the fridge if you go for this option.

It’s best taken just after a meal, rather than on an empty stomach, to improve absorption of both its nutrients and those present in other foods as well.

After breakfast and after dinner would be the ideal time to take pumpkin seed oil. It has a unique and delicious flavor that most people really enjoy.

Pumpkin Seed Oil Optimal Dosage

Pumpkin oil research studies suggest a dosage of at least 1000 mg twice a day would be the minimum needed for therapeutic benefit.

This isn’t actually that much though. Personally, I take this great tasting oil by the teaspoon, which is approximately 4000 mg, twice a day.

For benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment or to reduce hair loss, the raw oil can be taken after every main meal of the day.

A teaspoon each time, or 4 pumpkin seed oil capsules, is the recommended dosage for this purpose.

It’s also more beneficial to spread out the amount you’re taking throughout the day rather than having it all in one dose.

Is Styrian or Cold Pressed Pumpkin Oil Best?

Roasted Styrian pumpkin seed oil, like this excellent one, is considered quite a delicacy. The flavor is rich and nutty and far more intense than regular bland salad oils.

It should not be used as a frying oil, but can be added to the end of cooking to dishes like soups and sauces for a wonderful flavor and extra nutrition.

The oil is particularly good drizzled over salads, perhaps with a little fresh lemon juice, to make an amazing salad dressing.

Use Raw Pumpkin Seed Oil for the Most Nutrition

Unfortunately there is some question as to whether the heat used in Styrian oils to roast the pumpkin seeds damages the fatty acids and possibly vitamin E as well.

For this reason, raw and cold pressed pumpkin seed oil is recommended for people using it primarily as a nutritional supplement.Kuerbiskernoel

While raw pumpkin oil does not usually have such an intense flavor as the roasted oil, it still tastes good as a salad dressing and added to recipes after cooking.

If it is being used as a supplement though, for prostate problems, hair loss or just for its beneficial effect on your health, it would be best to take it more regularly, ideally on a daily basis.

Side Effects and Where to Find It

Consult a healthcare professional if you are being treated for prostate problems. Pumpkin seed oil has no regularly reported side effects though.

On rare occasions, people supplementing with it have reported intestinal upsets with a large dosage on an empty stomach. Taking it after food should prevent any negative effects on digestive function.

Pumpkin oil is becoming much more popular outside of Austria. It’s now possible to get it in the USA in a much greater variety of brands and at a better price than ever before.

The page on where to buy pumpkin seed oil online has both gourmet roasted Styrian and raw organic oil options, as well as the best capsules and extracts.

I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has been using pumpkin seed oil for a while, what dosage works best for you and what effect it has had on your health.

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Martha

Okay, interesting article — but what you haven’t informed us of is this: If we do opt to take the oil by the teaspoon, how many teaspoons are the equivalent of 1,000 milligrams?

Jim Dillan

Hi Martha and thanks for bringing that to my attention. I felt the end of this page could use some improvement so I’ve rewritten it. Hope that helps to make the dosage information clearer.

Lorraine

Do you know how many calories are in a tablespoon and what the carbohydrate count is, if any? I bought my bottle in Austria and the label is in German. Thanks.

Jim Dillan

Hi Lorraine and thanks for your question. 14 grams (around a tablespoon) of pumpkin seed oil has about 120 calories, but the majority of these calories are healthy fatty acids. We need these kind of fats in our diet and the health nutrient content of foods like pumpkin seed oil should generally always come before considerations about calories.

After a lot of research on the matter I’m convinced calorie content alone is a very poor indicator of the weight loss or weight gain potential of a food.

There are also no carbs in pumpkin seed oil.

Shawn

Hello,
I just purchased La Tourangelle Toasted Pumpkin Seed Oil from amazon, is that safe to take daily as you mentioned? I tried a table spoon and it almost made me throw up. This is my first time using pumpkin seed oil, i am using it to help me with my hair loss. Do you have any recommendations of which pumpkin seed oil one should purchase for hair loss?

S R Janssen

Every body and every metabolism differs, but I have experienced unexpected health benefits from eating one meal a day that alternates between high carbs with oil, and protein days using primarily plant proteins cooked with home made chicken stock, with eggs. Pumpkin oil is very tasty on sweet potatoes and plain potatoes. Using several tablespoons of oil such as pumpkin oil, coconut oil, walnut oil seems have really helped reduce my cravings for sugar. In spite of the high calorie count of the oils, I have lost two dress sizes although I had no intention of losing weight. I certainly wouldn’t recommend this way of eating for anyone else, but it certainly agrees with me in terms of high energy, and control of craving. I don’t feel hungry at all.

Jim Dillan

Hi Shawn,

That’s strange, I love the taste of pumpkin seed oil personally. You could try putting it on savory food or capsules, though you’d need quite a lot. Generally the cold pressed ones here would be best https://superfoodprofiles.com/buy-pumpkin-seed-oil-online for hair loss.

Hope this helps,

Jim

Amelie

Hi, I bought some roasting pumpkin seed oil today and i would like to use it on my hair and face as a makeup removal,
Should i change it for the raw pumpkin seed oil?
Thank you
Amélie.

Jim Dillan

Hi Amelie,

Generally the raw pumpkin seed oil is better for external application.

All the best,

Jim

kevin

he says that in the article. 1 teaspoon is equal to 4000 milligrams so 1/4 of a teaspoon would equal 1000 milligrams

Jim Dillan

Hi Judy,

Any added vitamin E in pumpkin seed oil capsules is usually negligible. You’re right that regular high dose synthetic alpha-tocopherol isn’t good for the body in the same way as true vitamin E from foods.

All the best,

Jim

Jim Dillan

Hi Derek and thank you for sharing your positive results with pumpkin seed oil for hair loss.

I’d think it would be primarily the fat based compounds like Beta-Sitosterol and Delta-7-Sterine that are helping with the pumpkin seed oil. Extracted oils don’t usually retain large amounts of minerals. To get more zinc I’d recommend also eating raw pumpkin seeds as well https://superfoodprofiles.com/raw-pumpkin-seeds-nutrition

All the best,

Jim

Dr.calder

How much zinc is contained in one Gramme pumpkin seed oil(1000mg)

Jim Dillan

Hi Dr Calder,

Perhaps a small amount but extracted oils don’t usually retain large amounts of minerals. To get more zinc I’d recommend also eating raw pumpkin seeds as well https://superfoodprofiles.com/raw-pumpkin-seeds-nutrition

All the best,

Jim

Eliot

I have a question about the hair growth use of pumpkin seed oil.
Can it be used to, lets say, promote hair growth on chest?
Thank you.

Joe Doyle

I just started taking pumpkin seed oil. I am taking one tablespoon in the morning and one tablespoon in the evening. Do you think this is too much?

Jim Dillan

Hi Eliot,

I’ve never heard of it being used for this purpose. The mechanism of growth with head hair is by counteracting DHT which diminishes hair follicles over time. I haven’t read anything on DHT affecting chest hair growth though. In fact, more DHT often seems to promote body hair while reducing hair on the head.

All the best,

Jim

Jim Dillan

Hi Joe.

This should be a good amount for quick effects. I take a similar amount myself.

All the best,

Jim

Aimee

Great article Jim! I purchased pumpkin seed oil a week ago and have been sleeping with it on my skin every night. Out of everything I’ve ever tried this is definitely the best results I’ve ever seen. I’m curious to see how it will improve my hair if I sleep with it on overnight . Hopefully it isn’t to much since I’m adding avocado oil along with coconut oil

Aleksandra Veble

A teaspoon, which is approximately 4000 milligrams, and minimum you need 1000mg a day, But twice 4000mg is fine too.
I leave in Slovenia next to Styria, Austria, and pumpkin oil we consume as salad dressings from childhood on. In m y family no hairs loss, what a blessing in generations.
Aleksandra

Jim Dillan

Hi Aimee,

Glad to hear the pumpkin seed oil is working so well on your skin.

Applying it to your hair is usually best for men with thinning hair as it works against DHT accumulation in the follicle, something that’s not usually a problem for women. It does contain beneficial natural fatty acids but if you do decide to try it I’d alternate it with avocado oil rather than combining it.

All the best,

Jim

Katy

I think the author suggested starting with a teaspoon so maybe a tablespoon was just a lot to start with. The capsules don’t taste like anything and would work for you if it’s a sate issue.

Jim Dillan

Hi Dudley,

Pumpkin seed oil has next to no protein as an oil. The seeds have some but not on the same level as red meat. Urea levels should not be affected by either pumpkin seed oil or seeds.

All the best,

Jim

Bob

Hi – your article doesn’t say anything about whether pumpkin oil has had any noticeable beneficial effects on you personally. Could you let us know how much you have taken and how long for? And what, if any, effect you noticed? It would be very interesting to know. Thanks!

Jim Dillan

Hi Bob,

Good question.

I personally don’t have any symptoms of BPH which is where people notice the most immediate benefit with pumpkin seed oil. I did however feel my hair was thinning a little a few years back before I started taking pumpkin seed oil and eating pumpkin seeds regularly. Recently it is looking thicker than it did 2 years ago. Of course writing about superfoods I use a lot of healthy products so it’s difficult to pinpoint but I do believe pumpkin seed oil has helped me maintain my hair.

All the best,

Jim

Paul Slodow

How long till you start feeling the pumpkin seed oil effects on BPH symptoms

Jim Dillan

Hi Paul,

It varies, with some people saying within a few nights while others only notice that their symptoms are better after several weeks.

All the best,

Jim

Sharron

I have heard that pumpkin seed oil is good for oily skin on face , I have suffered very dry flaky skin and very oily skin at the same time for many years. I have open pores and oily skin but with no acne. Can taking pso help and how much would I need to take a day to get a result?

rashed

Hi,
It is a year and half that I (a man of 74) am taking pumpkin seed oil as I have BPH. I however, read on an Australian box of the oil capsules that after two weeks, its taking should be stopped. Do you think it is a correct advice?
It was my understanding that one can continue it throughout his life. Please guide me.
Thank you.

Jim

I am 68 and had problems with low urine flow and high urination frequency. I took 2 tbs 3X daily for three weeks. This resulted in stronger urine flow and decreased urination frequency (from getting up 4X at night to once a night). Since then (for the last two weeks), I have been taking 1 tbs 3X daily for maintenance. I also have decreased urgency and frequency during the day.

Jim Dillan

Hi Jim and good to hear about you positive results with pumpkin seed oil.

All the best,

Jim

Jim Dillan

Hi Rashed,

2 weeks seems a very short cycle. I see no reason for this. If you like you could take one week off every month or two but generally pumpkin seed oil isn’t considered a treatment that needs to be cycled.

All the best,

Jim

Jim Dillan

Hi Sharron,

Pumpkin seed oil may help, both internally and applied externally, though I’ve personally found avocado oil much better for balancing out your skin tone https://superfoodprofiles.com/how-to-apply-avocado-oil-face-moisturizer

All the best,

Jim

Jim Dillan

Hi Divi,

The regular oil or pumpkin seed oil capsules would be best for preventing hair loss https://superfoodprofiles.com/buy-pumpkin-seed-oil-online

I can’t advise on water fasting sorry though it would be best done with the aid of a knowledgeable healthcare professional monitoring you.

All the best,

Jim

Jack

Would this routine be acceptable?
AM: 1 tablespoon PSO with yogurt rice chicken oatmeal or eggs(any recommendations on brands+link to buy pls n ty) and would the PSO interfere if taken with yogurt due to probiotics?

PM: with chicken rice or other forms of carbs (potatoes/spaghetti etc) AND saw palmetto 450 mg (these 2 okay to take together?)

I’m 27 years old male and suffer lots of hair loss; regarding comment above is 4000 mg safe to start with? (2 tbsp)

Thank you!

Jim Dillan

Hi Jack,

This is fine, though 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seed oil is quite high. Perhaps start with 2 teaspoons and work up from there to the higher dose if you find it well tolerated and beneficial.

Pumpkin seed oil contains healthy fatty acids. The comment above was regarding synthetic alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).

This article has some recommended brands https://superfoodprofiles.com/buy-pumpkin-seed-oil-online

All the best,

Jim

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