Pumpkinseed oil has a long history of traditional use for supporting prostate health, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. It is commonly included in folk remedies for urinary and prostate conditions, including prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland). The oil is rich in phytosterols, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants, which are believed to contribute to its purported benefits. Historically, it has been used to alleviate urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, and nocturia (nighttime urination), which can be associated with prostatitis and other prostate disorders.

From a scientific perspective, most of the research on pumpkinseed oil has focused on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rather than prostatitis. A few small clinical trials and animal studies suggest that pumpkinseed oil may help improve urinary symptoms related to prostate enlargement, possibly due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its capacity to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme involved in prostate tissue growth. However, direct evidence supporting its use specifically for prostatitis is limited and of low quality. Most clinical guidelines do not currently endorse pumpkinseed oil as a primary treatment for prostatitis due to insufficient robust clinical evidence.

In summary, while the traditional use of pumpkinseed oil for prostate and urinary health is well-documented, scientific validation for its efficacy in treating prostatitis specifically is weak and primarily extrapolated from studies on related conditions.