Cucurbitae semina (Herbal raw material) Instructions for Use

ATC Code

V03AX (Other therapeutic agents)

Active Substance

Pumpkin seed (BP British Pharmacopoeia)

Clinical-Pharmacological Group

Herbal preparation with hepatoprotective, choleretic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory action

Pharmacotherapeutic Group

Anthelmintic agent of plant origin

Pharmacological Action

A herbal preparation. It contains biologically active substances obtained from pumpkin (carotenoids, tocopherols, phospholipids, sterols, phosphatides, flavonoids, vitamins B₁, B₂, C, P, PP, F, saturated, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids – palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic). It has antiulcer, hepatoprotective and choleretic effects. It reduces the proliferation of prostate cells. It has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Pumpkin seeds have anthelmintic activity against tapeworms (including beef tapeworm, pork tapeworm, dwarf tapeworm, broad tapeworm). It is believed that the component with anthelmintic action is contained mainly in the thin gray-green shell inside the pumpkin seed.

Indications

For oral administration: hepatitis, fatty liver degeneration, cholecystocholangitis, biliary dyskinesia, gastritis, heartburn, gastric and duodenal ulcer, colitis, enterocolitis, hemorrhoids, atherosclerosis, prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, cervical erosion. Deworming and prevention of parasitic carriage of various tapeworms.

For external and topical use: herpes, dermatitis, diathesis, psoriasis, eczema, burns and burn disease, periodontosis.

ICD codes

Dosage Regimen

Herbal raw material

Two days before the start of pumpkin seed administration, the patient is prescribed an enema every morning and a saline laxative the night before. On the day of treatment, an enema is given on an empty stomach, regardless of the presence of stool.

An emulsion or decoction is prepared from pumpkin seeds in the following ways:

Method 1. Pumpkin seeds are peeled from the hard shell, leaving the inner green shell; 300 g of peeled seeds (for adults) are ground in small portions in a mortar, after the last portion, the mortar is washed with 50-60 ml of water, poured into a plate with ground seeds and mixed thoroughly (50-100 g of honey can be added). The resulting mixture is taken by the patient on an empty stomach, lying in bed, in small portions over 1 hour; after 3 hours, a laxative is given, then after half an hour, an enema is given. Food intake is allowed after a bowel movement caused by an enema or laxative. For daily intake, children are prescribed in the following age dosages: 3-4 years – 75 g; 5-7 years – 100 g; 8-10 years – 150 g; 10-15 years – 200-250 g.

Method 2. Pumpkin seeds are crushed together with the shell in a meat grinder or mortar, poured with double the amount of water and evaporated in a water bath over low heat, without bringing to a boil, for 2 hours; the decoction is filtered through gauze, after which the oil film is removed from the surface of the decoction. The entire decoction is taken on an empty stomach within 20-30 minutes. Two hours after administration, a saline laxative is given. Adults are prescribed a decoction from 500 g of unpeeled seeds; children over 10 years – from 300 g; 8-10 years – from 250 g; 5-7 years – from 200 g; from 3 to 5 years – from 100-150 g.

Pumpkin seeds of the hull-less variety (without a hard shell) are used without processing, 150-200 g per dose; a decoction of hull-less pumpkin seeds is also used (150 g of seeds per 450 ml of water are boiled in a water bath for an hour, cooled, filtered through a dense cloth: dose for an adult is 400-450 ml of decoction) and an emulsion (150 g of seeds are ground with the addition of 450 ml of water; dose for adults is 400-450 ml).

Adverse Reactions

When taken orally, mild belching, rarely diarrhea, is possible.

Contraindications

Not established.

Pediatric Use

Use is possible according to the dosage regimen.

Special Precautions

Use as monotherapy and as part of combination therapy is possible.

Storage Conditions

Store at 2°C (36°F) to 25°C (77°F). Keep in original packaging, protected from light. Keep out of reach of children.

Dispensing Status

Over-the-Counter

Important Safety Information

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor before use. Dosage and side effects may vary. Use only as prescribed.