✵The article documents the herb Pumpkin Seed, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely, a single plant species: (1) Cucurbita moschata Duch.—and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environment of this species; the macroscopic and microscopic features of the herb Pumpkin Seed; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Semen Cucurbitae (Pumpkin Seed)
Pinyin Name: Nán Guā Zǐ
English Name: Pumpkin Seed, Cushaw Seed
Latin Name:Semen Cucurbitae Properties and Flavor: Neutral in nature; sweet in taste
Brief Introduction:Semen Cucurbitae is the dried seed of Cucurbita moschata Duch., used clinically as an anthelmintic for the treatment of taeniasis, schistosomiasis, and clonorchiasis. It is commonly known as Semen Cucurbitae, Pumpkin Seed, Cushaw Seed, or Nán Guā Zǐ.
Botanical Source: Traditional herbal classics define “Nan Gua Zi” (Pumpkin Seed) as the seeds of plants belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family (cucumber, gourd, squash, and related vines), specifically (1) Cucurbita moschata Duch. This widely used species is described below:
(1) Cucurbita moschata Duch.
Botanical Description:Cucurbita moschata (Duch. ex Lam.) Duch. ex Poir. is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and the genus Cucurbita. It is also known as Cucurbita pepo L. var. moschata (Duch. ex Lam.), commonly called pumpkin or Nán Guā (“southern melon”; though occasionally referred to as Běi Guā—“northern melon”—due to its cultivation across northern China as well). It is an annual, trailing (vining) herb with stems reaching 2–5 meters in length. Adventitious roots often form at the nodes; stems are densely covered with white bristles. Leaves are simple and alternate; petioles are stout (thick and strong), 8–19 cm long, and bristly; leaf blades are broadly ovate or oval (egg-shaped), usually 5-lobed or with five angular lobes, 12–25 cm long and 20–30 cm wide; apex is acute; base is deeply cordate; upper surface is green, lower surface is pale green (“pea green”), both surfaces bearing bristles and fine pubescence; margins are serrulate (with small, dense teeth). Tendrils are slightly stout, pilose, and trifurcate to 5-divaricate.
Flowers are unisexual and the plant is monoecious. Male flowers are solitary; the hypanthium (calyx tube) is campanulate (bell-shaped), 5–6 mm long; calyx lobes are linear (not “stripe-shaped”), 10–15 mm long, pilose, with the upper portion enlarged and foliaceous; corolla is yellow, campanulate, ~8 cm long, 5-lobed, with reflexed lobe margins; stamens three; filaments are glandular, 5–8 mm long; anthers are contorted. Female flowers are solitary; ovary is unilocular; style is short; stigma three, enlarged and bilobed at the apex. The carpopodium (fruit stalk) is stout, longitudinally ridged and grooved, 5–7 cm long. Fruit peduncle is enlarged and tubaeform (trumpet-shaped).
Fruits (pepos) vary in shape and commonly exhibit longitudinal grooves on the exterior. Seeds are numerous, ovate-oblong to oblong, ash-gray to grayish-white. Flowering occurs from June to July; fruiting from August to September.
Ecological Environment:Cucurbita moschata thrives in a cool, moist climate and is easy to cultivate. It grows vigorously and produces large fruits. Native to Central America, it is now widely cultivated worldwide. Asia accounts for the largest cultivation area, followed by Europe and South America. It was introduced into China during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE).
Growth Characteristics:Cucurbita moschata (Duch. ex Lam.) Duch. ex Poir. prefers warm, sunny conditions. It is intolerant of both extreme heat and frost. Soil requirements are not stringent; however, optimal cultivation occurs in deep, well-drained soils with high moisture- and nutrient-holding capacity—particularly fertile, neutral to slightly acidic sandy loam.
Characteristics of the Herb: Seeds are oblate, 1.2–1.8 cm long and 0.7–1.0 cm wide. Surface color ranges from yellowish-white to faint yellow (pale yellow); both faces are flat and slightly convex; margin is slightly ridged; one end is slightly pointed; micropyle present at the apical end; hilum is slightly protuberant or inconspicuous. Upon removal of the testa (seed coat), a yellow-green, membranous endosperm is exposed. Two cotyledons, yellow, fleshy, and oily. The herb has a mild fragrance and a slightly sweet taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Anthelmintic effect: Semen Cucurbitae exhibits a marked anthelmintic effect against cestodes (tapeworms) and Ascaris lumbricoides; it inhibits and kills Schistosoma japonicum cercariae, leading to atrophy of the worm body, degeneration of reproductive organs, and reduced egg production in the uterus. It also inhibits migration of Schistosoma japonicum to the liver in animal models. (2) Other effects: Oral administration of 4 g of pumpkin seeds to mice causes transient pathological damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs; decreases hepatic glycogen content; and increases hepatic fat deposition.
Medicinal efficacy: Anthelmintic; galactagogue; diuretic for edema relief. Indications include taeniasis, ascariasis, schistosomiasis (hematodiplostomiasis), ancylostomiasis (hookworm disease), enterobiasis (oxyuriasis), postpartum hypogalactia (agalactia), postpartum edema of the hands and feet, pertussis (whooping cough), hemorrhoids, etc.
Administration of Semen Cucurbitae (Nán Guā Zǐ):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Semen Cucurbitae (Nán Guā Zǐ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams, (2) Internally: water decoction, 1–2 liang (approximately 30–60 grams); alternatively, administer as finely ground powder or emulsion. External use: fumigation and wash with water decoction. (3) Internally: water decoction, 30–60 grams; alternatively, administer as finely ground powder or emulsion. External use: fumigation and wash with water decoction.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Excessive intake of Semen Cucurbitae may cause Qi stagnation and diaphragmatic obstruction.
✵The article documents the herb Pumpkin Seed, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely, a single plant species: (1) Cucurbita moschata Duch.—and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environment of this species; the macroscopic and microscopic features of the herb Pumpkin Seed; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Nán Guā Zǐ
Botanical Description: Cucurbita moschata (Duch. ex Lam.) Duch. ex Poir. is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and the genus Cucurbita. It is also known as Cucurbita pepo L. var. moschata (Duch. ex Lam.), commonly called pumpkin or Nán Guā (“southern melon”; though occasionally referred to as Běi Guā—“northern melon”—due to its cultivation across northern China as well). It is an annual, trailing (vining) herb with stems reaching 2–5 meters in length. Adventitious roots often form at the nodes; stems are densely covered with white bristles. Leaves are simple and alternate; petioles are stout (thick and strong), 8–19 cm long, and bristly; leaf blades are broadly ovate or oval (egg-shaped), usually 5-lobed or with five angular lobes, 12–25 cm long and 20–30 cm wide; apex is acute; base is deeply cordate; upper surface is green, lower surface is pale green (“pea green”), both surfaces bearing bristles and fine pubescence; margins are serrulate (with small, dense teeth). Tendrils are slightly stout, pilose, and trifurcate to 5-divaricate.
Flowers are unisexual and the plant is monoecious. Male flowers are solitary; the hypanthium (calyx tube) is campanulate (bell-shaped), 5–6 mm long; calyx lobes are linear (not “stripe-shaped”), 10–15 mm long, pilose, with the upper portion enlarged and foliaceous; corolla is yellow, campanulate, ~8 cm long, 5-lobed, with reflexed lobe margins; stamens three; filaments are glandular, 5–8 mm long; anthers are contorted. Female flowers are solitary; ovary is unilocular; style is short; stigma three, enlarged and bilobed at the apex. The carpopodium (fruit stalk) is stout, longitudinally ridged and grooved, 5–7 cm long. Fruit peduncle is enlarged and tubaeform (trumpet-shaped).
Ecological Environment: Cucurbita moschata thrives in a cool, moist climate and is easy to cultivate. It grows vigorously and produces large fruits. Native to Central America, it is now widely cultivated worldwide. Asia accounts for the largest cultivation area, followed by Europe and South America. It was introduced into China during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE).
Characteristics of the Herb: Seeds are oblate, 1.2–1.8 cm long and 0.7–1.0 cm wide. Surface color ranges from yellowish-white to faint yellow (pale yellow); both faces are flat and slightly convex; margin is slightly ridged; one end is slightly pointed; micropyle present at the apical end; hilum is slightly protuberant or inconspicuous. Upon removal of the testa (seed coat), a yellow-green, membranous endosperm is exposed. Two cotyledons, yellow, fleshy, and oily. The herb has a mild fragrance and a slightly sweet taste.
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