Using pumpkin seeds to prevent gum atrophy in TCM

What are pumpkin seeds(Nan Gua Zi)?
This herb, as its name says, refers to the dried ripe seeds of Cucurbita moschata Duch., which is a member in the family Cucurbitaceae. So, its other names include Semen Cucurbitae Moschatae, Semen Cucurbitae, Cucurbita moschata seed, etc. In China, it is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, and Sichuan. And it is usually harvested and dried in summer and autumn when the fruits are ripe. Medicinally it is used in the raw and powder form. The fresher it is, the better its efficacy will be.

Cucurbita moschata is a trailing annual herb. Stems are 2 to 5 meters. Nodes are often with roots, densely covered with white bristles. Leaves are alternate; petiole is stout, 8 to 19cm long, and with setae; leaf blade is broadly ovate or oval, 12 to 25cm long, 20 to 30cm wide, and with 5 angles or 5 lobes, acute apex, and deeply cordate base. Tendrils are slightly stout, hairy, and with 3 to 5 forks. Flowers are unisexual and monoecious; male flowers are solitary and with 5 to 6cm bell-shaped calyx tube. Female flowers are solitary, enlarged, and with 1 ovary, short style, 3 stigmas, 2-lobed apex, thick stem, 5 to 7cm grooves, and expanded horn-like base. Pepo is in variety of shapes and often with longitudinal groove outside. Seeds are numerous, gray, and in the shapes of long ovate or oblong. Bloom time is from June to July and fruit season is from August to September.

Pumpkin seeds health benefits
The high nutritional value of pumpkin seeds means a lot to the health of human body. They are rich in amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, carotenoids and other nutrients. Long term use of them can not only prevent the occurrence of kidney stones, but also promote the discharge of persistent stone.

They are rich in two major nutrients that are important to the health of gingiva and alveolar bone. Firstly, they contain plenty of phosphorus. To be specific, every 100g seeds contain about 1159mg phosphorus. And the loss of phosphorus is believed to be the main reason for alveolar bone atrophy in the elderly. Secondarily, they are rich in carotene and vitamin E, which can directly nourish the gums, and thus prevent gum atrophy.

In recent years, nutrition experts point out that pumpkin seeds are actually one of the best snacks for man. Research shows that prostate enlargement and prostatic hyperplasia are bound to happen when men lack zinc in their blood. Since mineral zinc is the required element in the synthesis of male androgen, normally its content in the prostate is much higher than in other body organs. That’s the reason why eating them on daily basis can relieve the symptoms of urgent urination, urinary frequency, dysuria, urinary incontinence, and nocturia.

Seed means the next generation of plants and new life. So, in TCM doctors’ mind’s eye, seeds have a special inborn benefit to the kidney. It resembles natural hormone and improves the human reproductive system. For men, it can prevent prostate problems; for women who have less milk production due to postpartum weakness, it can promote lactation. In addition, it benefits pregnant women and the fetus too by preventing and treating hand and foot swelling during pregnancy, preventing the occurrence of diseases, slowing down aging, and promoting quality sleep.