This product is the seed of the annual climbing vine plant pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata (Duch..) Poiret) of the bottle gourd peel family. It is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, and other regions. The seeds are harvested when the fruits mature in summer and autumn, then dried. They are primarily used in powdered form, with fresh seeds being preferable.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet, neutral. act on stomach and large intestine channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Killing worms.

bubble_chart Indications

Used for tapeworm pattern. This product has the effect of killing worms, and its sweet and neutral nature does not harm healthy qi. It is mainly used to expel and kill tapeworms. For treating tapeworm disease, it is often used in combination with Areca Seed to enhance efficacy. For example, in the empirical formula for expelling tapeworms, this product is ground into powder and taken with cold boiled water at a dose of 60-120 grams. Two hours later, a decoction of Areca Seed 60-120 grams is taken, followed by Xuanming Powder 15 grams half an hour later to promote purgation and facilitate the expulsion of the worm body.

In addition, pumpkin seeds can also be used to treat schistosomiasis, but a larger dose is required.

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Grind into powder, 60-120g. Take with cold boiled water.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Since cushaw seeds contain fatty oils, taking large amounts of powdered medicine can lead to side effects such as loss of appetite and diarrhea, but these will resolve on their own. Excessive consumption of cushaw seeds can cause abdominal distension and fullness.

This product contains cushaw seed amino acid, fatty oils, proteins, and vitamins A, B₁, B₂, C, as well as carotene. The active ingredient, cushaw seed amino acid, has a paralyzing effect on the middle and posterior segments of tapeworms and exhibits a synergistic effect with Areca Seed. It inhibits and kills schistosome larvae, causes adult worms to atrophy, leads to the degeneration of reproductive organs, and reduces the number of eggs in the uterus, although it does not kill them.