Most seeds are rich in oil and protein. Many seeds contain considerable amounts of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and calcium. Many seed oils have unsaturated fatty acids with linoleic and oleic acids as the major acids. Many seeds also have compounds such as stachyose, raffinose, verbascose, trypsin inhibitor, phytic acid, and tannins. Nuts and seeds are rich in unsaturated fat and other nutrients that may reduce inflammation. Frequent nut consumption is associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, and lower risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Types of edible and medicinal seeds
Cassia seed is used in Chinese medicine.

Celery seed is the dried fruit of Apium graveolens which is related, but not identical, to the vegetable celery plant.

Chia seeds provide a source of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid. Chia seeds are can be added to bread and other baked goods.

Flax seed consumption may lower the risk for prostate cancer.

Pumpkin seed is sometimes recommended for prostate health.

Paprika seed

Sesame seeds have a high phytosterol content.

Watermelon seed

Phytosterols in Nuts and Seeds
Sesame seeds and wheat germ have the highest total phytosterol content (400-413 mg/100 g) and Brazil nuts the lowest (95 mg/100 g). Of the products typically consumed as snack foods, pistachio nuts and sunflower kernel are richest in phytosterols (270-289 mg/100 g). beta-Sitosterol, Delta5-avenasterol, and campesterol are predominant.

Seed Research
 

Gourd Seed
Gourd is defined as any of several trailing or climbing plants related to the pumpkin, squash, and cucumber and bearing fruits with a hard rind.
Protein source tryptophan versus pharmaceutical grade tryptophan as an efficacious treatment for chronic insomnia.
Nutr Neurosci. 2005 Apr;8(2):121-7.
Biosential Inc., Toronto, Ontario M4G 3B5, Canada.
Intact protein rich in tryptophan was not seen as an alternative to pharmaceutical grade tryptophan since protein also contains large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) that compete for transport sites across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Deoiled gourd seed (an extremely rich source of tryptophan-22 mg tryptophan/1 g protein) was combined with glucose, a carbohydrate that reduces serum levels of competing LNAAs which was then compared to pharmaceutical grade tryptophan with carbohydrate as well as carbohydrate alone. METHOD: Objective and subjective measures of sleep were employed to measure changes in sleep as part of a double blind placebo controlled study where subjects were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) Protein source tryptophan (deoiled gourd seed) in combination with carbohydrate; (2) pharmaceutical grade tryptophan in combination with carbohydrate; (3) carbohydrate alone. SUBJECTS: Out of 57 subjects 49 of those who began the study completed the three week protocol. RESULTS: Protein source tryptophan with carbohydrate and pharmaceutical grade tryptophan, but not carbohydrate alone, resulted in significant improvement on subjective and objective measures of insomnia. Protein source tryptophan with carbohydrate alone proved effective in significantly reducing time awake during the night. CONCLUSION: Protein source tryptophan is comparable to pharmaceutical grade tryptophan for the treatment of insomnia.