Squash, pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo & C. moschata).Plant Part Used: Seeds, fruit pulp, oil.Dominican Medicinal Uses: The seeds are traditionally prepared as an infusion and taken orally for diarrhea, intestinal parasites and worms. The fruit pulp is traditionally prepared as an infusion or juice for the common cold and flu.Safety: The fruit and seeds are commonly consumed and generally regarded as safe. In animal studies the fruit was shown to be relatively nontoxic.Drug Interactions: Warfarin (increased clotting time – 1 case; based on a study using the multi-herb supplement Cucurbicin®).Clinical Data: The following effects of the seed or seed extracts have been investigated in human clinical trials: improved urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and inhibited urolithiasis.Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In animal studies the plant or seed extract has shown antiallergenic and hepatoprotective effects. In vitro, isolated compounds from the seed have shown antiproliferative activity. Nutritionally the fruit and flower are a significant source of pro-vitamin A and the seeds are a source of L-tryptophan.* See entry for Auyama in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.
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