In this article we will break down case studies and offer homemade recipes and blends that you can try out for yourself to experience this amazing effect for yourself. But first, let's take a quick look at what causes hair loss in the first place.
What causes hair loss
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss. It is estimated that 30 to 50% of all 50 year old men suffer from some form of this hair loss. It usually starts with hair loss at the temples, continues around the crown and eventually leads to a total baldness.
AGA is caused by a genetic predisposition. The most important androgen that plays a role here is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). New hair growth is thought to be delayed when the DHT level in the hair follicles increases.
Pharmaceutically, AGA is treated with minoxidil and finasteride, but practical results show that it is only moderately effective and initially increases hair loss. However, both treatments are expensive, prescription only and may have side effects.
An alternative remedy against hair loss are natural substances such as pumpkin (cucurbita pepo), its seed and the oil pressed from it. Pumpkin seed oil is obtained by pressing roasted, peeled pumpkin seeds. Rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids and minerals, it is an increasingly popular edible oil because of its nutty aroma.
What is pumpkin seed oil?
Pumpkin has been known for centuries for its beneficial properties: Antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and others. In Austria, pumpkin seed oil has been valued for its healing properties since the 17th century. The Austrian empress Maria Theresia issued a decree in March 1773, in which it was stated:
"This healthy oil is unique and far too precious to be used in tasty meals and should therefore be used as a medicine. It should therefore no longer be used as a culinary delicacy, but only collected and distributed by pharmacists".
Today pumpkin seed oil is used to treat all kinds of problems. These include an enlarged prostate as well as high cholesterol, arthritis and diabetes. And it tastes heavenly on a salad.
What does pumpkin seed oil do for your hair?
Pumpkin seed oil is said to have many health benefits, most of which have nothing to do with hair loss. Here is a summary of the main health uses of pumpkin seed oil.
Rich in minerals
Because pumpkins grow directly on the ground, they are an excellent source of minerals. Pumpkin seed oil therefore contains phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc and iron.Antioxidative effect
Pumpkin seeds contain numerous mineral and phenolic antioxidants and lignans. This diverse composition gives pumpkin seed oil properties that are not easily found in other foods.anti-inflammatory
Fatty acids isolated from pumpkin seed oil have been used in medicine because of their anti-inflammatory properties and include mainly linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. In Central America and India, people rub the oil obtained from pumpkin seeds on herpes blisters, venereal wounds, acne and even stubborn leg ulcers. Pumpkin leaves are also applied as a compress to sprains and strains.Diabetes
Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil were used to improve insulin regulation in animals and prevent some adverse effects of diabetes.Antibacterial
Pumpkin seeds have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties due to their unique proteins.cancer-related effects
Pumpkin seeds are unique in their composition of antioxidant substances and can thus reduce oxidative stress associated with the development of some cancers. In addition, the lignan content of pumpkin seeds could play a role in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Pumpkin seed oil is used to treat BPH successfully. The effect lies in the ingredients phytosterol, lignan and the high zinc content.Specific types of hair loss
As a proven antifungal and antibacterial agent, pumpkin seed oil can help maintain a healthy scalp and strong, healthy hair follicles. In this way it is useful in the treatment of hair loss caused by clogged hair follicles or dead skin cells.
Finally, pumpkin seed oil can be helpful in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as balding in men.
What does science tell about pumpkin seed oil?
Is pumpkin seed oil really an effective treatment for male hair loss?
Picture: Representative photos of patients at baseline and after 24 weeks of pumpkin seed oil
treatment
In 2014, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published the results of a clinical research study investigating the efficacy of pumpkin seed oil for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It was the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate this problem. The 24-week study included 76 male subjects with mild to moderate AGA. Half received a daily pumpkin seed oil supplement in the form of a 400 mg capsule. The other half received a placebo.
The researchers used a process known as phototrichography to analyze hair changes, including hair number and hair diameter. The hair analysis was performed at the beginning of the study to have an evaluation basis after 12 weeks of treatment and after 24 weeks of treatment.
The results shown in the two tables below show that the pumpkin seed oil treatment group showed a significant increase in
hair count over the placebo group.
The differences in
hair thickness were negligible.
As a result of their study, the researchers were able to conclude that taking pumpkin seed oil for 24 weeks had a positive anabolic effect on hair growth in patients with mild to moderate AGA. They believed that this might be due to the possible effects of 5-reductase inhibition.
The whole study can be read
here.
Picture: This diagram clearly shows that pumpkin seed oil had a positive effect on the number of hairs after 24 weeks compared to placebo. The difference in hair thickness compared to placebo was negligible.
Are there any side effects?
According to a study contucted by the University of Michigan
Health System, pumpkin seed oil has shown no side effects.
However, it has been speculated that pumpkin seed oil may have a diuretic effect and the body is less freed of lithium. This could then increase the amount of lithium in the body and lead to serious side effects.
Finally, it is important to note that any natural remedy can cause an allergic reaction in some people, including pumpkin seed oil.
Signs of an allergic reaction to pumpkin seed oil, listed in the American reference book for physicians, the Physicians Desk Reference, may include breathing problems, tightness in the chest or throat, chest pain, hives or rash, and itchy or swollen skin. Any of these reactions should be treated as a medical emergency.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take any dietary supplements without consulting their doctor.
See also the answers to the frequently asked question
What are the side effects of pumpkin seed oil?
How do you apply pumpkin seed oil to your hair?
To maintain a healthy scalp, pumpkin seed oil mixed with a carrier oil (e.g. olive oil) should be massaged into the scalp and then left to work overnight. This should be repeated at least twice a week for two months before results are expected.
For the treatment of AGA pumpkin seed oil is taken additionally over the mouth. A recommended dosage for the special treatment has not been defined. However, experience has shown that two tea- or tablespoons of pumpkin seed oil per day (depending on body size) have had good effects. Some drink the pumpkin seed oil pure (it tastes nutty and like freshly baked bread crust), others add it to their muesli or morning smoothie.
What are the results?
The scientific studies are promising. They have shown that the use of pumpkin seed oil supports the treatment of mild to moderate AGA (also known as balding in men).
However, there has been only one study so far and much more research is needed to verify the results and also to determine a recommended dosage.
Where can I get pumpkin seed oil?
High quality
pumpkin seed oil is best bought directly here from the producer online, if you don't have an oil mill around the corner. Only then you can be sure that the oil has been freshly pressed and has not been stored on shelves for a long time. Here you can find pure Styrian pumpkin seed oil g.g.A., which has won many awards in the last years.
Sources and References
