Cucurbita, Pumpkin

Pepo
Tukhm e Kadu (Unani)
Nan Gua Zi 南瓜子, Bai Gua Zi  白瓜子 (TCM)
Ka bed  ཀ་བད  (Tibetan)
Picture Pepo
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Picture Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico, Vietz, 1804

Botanical name:


Cucurbita pepo

Parts used:


Seeds; Fruit (as food)

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, Moist. Sweet, Bitter

Classification:


S. Worms and Parasites

Uses:


1. One of the 4 Greater Cold Seeds
-see our article on the Greater Cold Seeds

2. Kills Worms (TCM, Ayurveda, West):
-especially for Tapeworm, Roundworm, Flatworm

3. Nourishes and Moistens, Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine (West, TCM):
-heat or retention of urine, strangury
-gravel and stones.
-Prostatitis, Impotence
-Menopause
-Diabetes
-Nocturnal Urination in children
-postpartum edema of the hands and feet; this is partly due to the fact that it is non-irritating.

4. Used for Emulsions:
-‘May serve very well to make emulsions.’ (Culpeper)

5. Externally:
-seeds have been used for skin conditions including Psoriasis
-Pumpkin Seed Oil has been used for burns and scalds.


Dose:


Seed in Decoction: 25-70 grams, and up to 120 grams
Seed in Powder: 3-9 grams;
Expressed Oil of the Seeds: 6-12 drops, 3-5 times daily.
If eaten, half a cupful of the seed kernels can be eaten over the course of the day for an extended period.

Main Combinations:


1. One the of Four Greater Cold Seeds.
2. Worms:
i. 200–400 grams of Pumpkin seeds are beaten to a pulp or ground in a mill and mixed with milk and honey to form a porridge-like consistency. This is taken on an empty stomach in the morning in 2 portions. Two or 3 hours later, a generous dose of Castor oil is taken.
ii. Tapeworm: Pumpkin seeds 2 oz., Honey sufficient. Beat the seeds and mix with Honey to form a jelly. After having a light meal for breakfast, take the above mid morning, and a good dose of Castor Oil at midday.
iii. 1 oz. of fresh seed is macerated in water; this is taken in the morning on an empty stomach; a purgative is then taken to expel the worms.
3. Menopause, Pumpkin seed, Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi), Safflower (Hong Hua), Honeysuckle flower (Jin Yin Hua) (Japanese patent remedy)

Major Formulas:


Decoction of Fruit
Syrup of Marshmallow (Fernel)
Cooling Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Frigidum) (Nicholas)
Powder for Bladder Abscess of Alexander Benedictus
Powder for Hardness of the Kidneys (Nicolas)
Powder for the Lungs (Wirtzung)
Powder of Haly (Haly)
Powder of Three Sandalwoods (Diatrisantalum) (Mesue)
Sugar Penid (Diapenidon Frigidum) (Nichoals)
Bolus of Seeds (Unani)
Tragacanth Cooling Powder (Diatragacanth Frigidum) (Nicholas)
Troches of Gordon (Trochisci Gordonii)
Troches of Winter Cherry (Trochisci Alkekengi) (Mesue)
Abbots Confect of Rose (Diarrhodon Abbatis) (Nicholas)
Electuary for Stones (Azaricon)
Electuary of Poppy (Diapapaver) (Mesue)
Electuary of Seeds
Restorative Electuary (Antidotus Analeptica) (Nicholas)

Cautions:


1. Not suitable for Cold and Weak Digestion.

Main Preparations used:


Pumpkin Seed expressed oil