Last Updated on August 25, 2020 by Hold the Hairline Team
In this article, we’re taking a look at one natural remedy that is often overlooked: pumpkin seed oil for hair loss. Hair loss is most often associated with men. However, there are millions of women who also suffer from this sometimes, embarrassing condition. It can make you pretty uncomfortable when you see someone you know or you find someone looking at your hair or lack of it.
Rather than resort to some type of treatment that is loaded with who knows what type of chemicals, there is a natural means available to you that you may be unaware of. Pumpkin seed oil for hair loss is one of the few natural treatments showing promise for combating the effects of androgenetic alopecia also known as hereditary hair loss.
Comparison Table: Best Pumpkin Seed Oil Options for Hair Loss
This comparison chart has all of our picks for best pumpkin seed oil products that can help with your hair loss. We’ve linked to Amazon so that you can read more about product information and customer feedback.
The table is ordered by price ascending. We update our pages regularly, but the prices still fluctuate from time to time.
| Image | Product | Type | Cost | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Puritan's Pride Pumpkin Seed Oil | Supplement |  |  |
 | Swanson Premium Brand Pumpkin Seed Oil | Supplement | | |
 | Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil Spray | Oil | | |
 | Now Foods Pumpkin Seed Oil | Supplement | | |
 | OM Botanical Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo | Shampoo | | |
 | OM Botanical Anti-Hair Loss Conditioner | Conditioner | | |
 | Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil | Oil | | |
 | Organic Australian Pumpkin Seed Butter | Butter | | |
 | Bulk Supplements Pure Pumpkin Seed Extract Powder | Supplement | | |
 | Hair Restoration Laboratories Hair Regrowth Treatment | Scalp Treatment | | |
 | Hairmetto Saw Palmetto and Pumpkin Seed Oils | Oil Blend | | |
Can Pumpkin Seed Oil Really Help Treat Hair Loss?
According to an official study available at the US National Library of Medicine, pumpkin seed oil or PSO as they shortened it to, was shown to block the action of 5-alpha reductase. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase is the main antagonist in androgenetic alopecia.
This study was published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal in 2014. In the study, 76 male patients with varying degrees of hair loss used PSO or received a placebo.
Average hair counts in the men who received pumpkin seed oil showed increases of 40% and only 10% in those who received the placebo.
Furthermore, the only adverse side effects reported were by one of the 76 men that said he had an upset stomach.
In the study, patients who took pumpkin seed oil did so via capsules. They took two in the morning and two in the evening before breakfast and dinner. Each capsule contained 100mg of pumpkin seed oil, for a total of 400mg of pumpkin seed oil daily.
Pumpkin seed oil is being used as natural and safe way to help regrow hair. Another cool thing about the pumpkin seed, is that it has a long list of other health benefits.
Benefits of Using a Natural Hair Growth Remedy Such as Pumpkin Seed Oil
Most people highly prefer natural products for prescriptions. They are easier to get because you can order them online or buy them in a store without scheduling a doctor visit and receiving a prescription.
Furthermore, some prescription based treatments are known to have unwanted side effects. Side effects range from the weird like the darkening of all of your body hair to the more serious like making you more susceptible to heart problems.
There are several components of pumpkin seed oil that may help someone who has thinning hair. It contains the phytosterol beta-sitosterol which reduces the damage done by DHT by inhibiting the conversion of useful testosterone into the harmful hormone. Additionally, it has a steroid known as delta-7-sterol which competes for the same receptors as DHT.
The thick greenish oil also contains zinc and magnesium, which are two essential minerals for hair and skincare. Zinc not only thickens hair, but it also speeds the growth. It contains Vitamin A, E, and K and four fatty acids including the omega-6 linoleic.
Types of Hair Loss
Although heredity may play a role in hair thinning and loss, there could be other factors that may be involved, especially for women. Both genders are susceptible to androgenetic alopecia which results from the overproduction of the hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Chemotherapy is another reason that many people lose their hair. This is known as anagen effluvium. The hair narrows and fractures as a result of the cellular damage. If your immune system attacks the hair follicles, the condition is known as alopecia areata. This may arise suddenly and the majority of people recover the lost hair within a couple of years. There really is no treatment for this type of damage.
Two other types of hair loss are traction alopecia, which results from repeated traumatization of the hair follicles from tight hair designs, and telogen effluvium, which comes from some type of trauma or acute stress.
Childbirth, surgery, and severe infections are other possible triggers for telogen effluvium. Studies have also implicated vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as, taking certain medications.
How To Use Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair Loss
You can purchase capsules of pumpkin seed oil or the oil itself. Be sure to store it in a cool, dark place so it does not go rancid. You can take one or two 1000 mg capsules after each meal. If you purchase the oil, you can apply it directly to your scalp, add it to your foods or take a straight spoonful at meals. Begin with a teaspoon and work up to a tablespoon per meal.
Due to the color and viscosity, you probably do not want to rub it into your roots just before a big date. However, you can make a regular hot oil treatment with it. Apply it to your roots and cover your head. Leave on for at least one hour and consider adding pure castor oil or rosemary essential oil to your pumpkin seed oil just before applying for an additional boost to your hair regrowth efforts.
When your hair is thinning and falling out, it really can’t hurt to try a few remedies to see what works. One thing we have been learning and that is, what we put in our bodies matter and it is possible to heal from the inside out. Be sure to eat right, get your exercise and try adding pumpkin seed oil to your diet by adding the pressed oil in place of other oils and you can try eating more pumpkin seeds, as well.
Product Highlights: Best Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair Loss Options
We will be continually adding to this list as more products become available.
1. Puritan’s Pride Pumpkin Seed OilThis is Puritan Pride cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil, that will promote not only prostate and urinary health- but hair health, too! It is a cheaper option – however, the dosage is high, 4-5 capsules a day- so you will need to resupply often.
2. Swanson Premium Brand Pumpkin Seed OilSwanson backs their premium Pumpkin Seed Oil with a 100% money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with their product. The Swanson brand has been a science-backed company since 1969 and has a great reputation for making only high-quality vitamins and supplements.
3. Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil SprayTopical pumpkin seed oil for hair loss treatments can actually be applied directly to the skin and hair and is gentle enough for daily use. Botanical Beauty has made some that come in a spray bottle so that it’s easy to coat your hair evenly, as well as access your scalp. It’s even gentle enough to use on facial hair, for those wanting to stimulate more beard growth.
4. Now Foods Pumpkin Seed OilIf you want the real deal, Now Foods is one of the gold standards in natural supplements. Their tablets have 1000mg of pumpkin seed oil, so you’d only need to take one a day.
5. OM Botanical Anti-Hair Loss ShampooIf you’re looking for a great cleanser and conditioning duo featuring pumpkin seed oil, Om Botanical is one of the purest hair care sets on the market. This sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner is safe for all hair types, and only uses whole botanical ingredients that are not processed or bleached.
6. OM Botanical Anti-Hair Loss ConditionerThis is the OM Botanical Organic Conditioner that we recommend using in conjunction with the shampoo above.
7. Organic Pumpkin Seed OilPumpkin Seed Oil is high in vitamin E, K, A, and B, which are all great for skin and hair. Renewalize comes with a glass dropper to make it easy to apply to your scalp. The Amber colored bottle helps keep the oil fresh and keeps it from oxidizing. It’s also guaranteed for one year, 100% money-back promise.
8. Organic Australian Pumpkin Seed ButterWhile a thicker option, this might be better for those looking for a less greasy way to apply pumpkin oil to your head. Much like shea butter, a little goes a long way, and it will help to keep your scalp moisturized and itch-free while simultaneously assisting with hair regrowth.
9. Bulk Supplements Pure Pumpkin Seed Extract PowderBulk Supplements are known for making clean and pure workout supplements, what if we told you that they have one that can help your hair, also? This supplement goes beyond just helping protect your hairline, this pumpkin seed extract powder will also support your bladder health and is a rich source of nutrients. Add it to water or your favorite smoothie recipe.
10. Hair Restoration Laboratories Hair Regrowth TreatmentPumpkin seed oil and Minoxidil? Now that packs a potent one-two punch! Hair Restoration Laboratories developed one of the most powerful hair regrowth treatments on the market. In addition to pumpkin seed oil and minoxidil, it contains green tea extract, cumin seed oil, biotin, saw palmetto, and caffeine among others. It is an expensive formula, but buying all the ingredients separately wouldn’t be cheap either!
11. Hairmetto Saw Palmetto and Pumpkin Seed OilsHairmetto boasts that they are “getting to the root of hair loss… naturally. We have previously vetted saw palmetto as a great way to combat hair loss, combining it with Pumpkin Oil just increases its ability to combat DHT.
This article was written by Marilyn Reid. She is a successful business owner and a natural health enthusiast. You can check out her website tarunoils.org which is dedicated to providing tips, ideas, and recipes for use with essential oils and aromatherapy.
