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)

Pepo
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico, Vietz, 1804

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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

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)

Cautions:
1. Not suitable for Cold and Weak Digestion.

Main Preparations used:
Pumpkin Seed expressed oil