Pumpkin seeds have been used in traditional medicines all over the globe for thousands of years, from Mexico to China to Ireland. There are, unsurprisingly, common threads as to their recommended usage.
Ancient Aztecs and Native Americans used pumpkin seeds to treat bladder and digestive problems, while Chinese and Middle Eastern traditions used them to help fight parasites and reduce inflammation. Still now, many natural health treatments recommend pumpkin seeds as a natural cleanser.
Western traditions recognise pumpkin seeds as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, nutritive, immune enhancing, diuretic and laxative (as well as helping to expel various intestinal parasites).
Eastern traditions use pumpkin seeds for much the same - dysentery, diarrhea, eczema, bladder infections, stomach aches, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, parasites. It is also used to reduce water retention and to help maintain prostrate health (both thanks to their diuretic properties).
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) values pumpkin seeds as a detoxifying and anti-inflammatory medicine. It also values pumpkin seeds as relieving water retention.
In Germany, the seeds were discovered to help stimulate sex hormones in both men and woman (but more so for men).
In general, eating a healthy amount of pumpkin seeds on a regular basis will help maintain intestinal, bladder and prostate health. And if you need any intestinal cleansing, then go first to your pumpkin seeds before taking manufactured synthetic products.
Sources: nature-health.com, White Rabbit Institute of Healing, Seed Guides