Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) is an evergreen tree that is native to Africa. Also called the African Plum tree, it is an age-old traditional folk remedy that is gaining in popularity among alternative health practitioners outside Africa. The bark of the pygeum tree is used for medicinal purposes and is believed to offer a number of benefits.
Prostrate Enlargement
Pygeum has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of mild to moderate Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a non-malignant enlargement of the prostate that is common in men over 40 years of age. In his book "The Green Pharmacy," James A. Duke, Ph.D. reports on a study by German researchers on the benefits of pygeum for treating men with BPH, noting that there was a 66 percent improvement among participants who were treated with pygeum. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Society attributes pygeum's therapeutic benefits to three active compounds, namely phytosterols, triterpenes and ferulic acid esters .
BPH Symptoms
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is strong scientific evidence supporting the historical use of pygeum for improving urinary symptoms associated with prostrate inflammation or enlargement of the prostrate gland. In a monograph on Pygeum, the NIH notes that a number of human studies on men with mild to moderate symptoms indicate that this herb significantly alleviates urinary frequency, urinary hesitancy and pain with urination.
Additive Benefits
The NIH reports that pygeum may increase the therapeutic effect of saw palmetto or stinging nettle for prostate conditions when used in conjunction with these herbs. The NIH notes that a similar additive benefit may result from taking pygeum with prostrate medications such as terazosin and finasteride, though this has not been widely studied. Ray Sahelian M.D., a physician and medical author, suggests that if treatment for benign prostate enlargement with saw palmetto alone is not beneficial, the addition of pygeum should be considered.
Urinary Function
In her book "The Handbook of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies," Marilyn Barrett writes that pygeum has been historically been used by African folk healers to support urinary and bladder function. In this traditional use, the bark of the pygeum tree is dried and ground into a powder that is mixed with milk. The NIH lists a number of other traditional uses including bladder sphincter disorders, partial bladder outlet obstruction, urinary tract disorders and urinary tract health.
References
- "The Green Pharmacy;" James A. Duke, Ph.D.; 1997
- The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Society: Pygeum - Mechanism of Action
- National Institutes of Health: Pygeum
- Dr. Ray Sahelian: Pygeum africanum herb for prostrate gland
- The Handbook of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies, Volume 2;" Marilyn Barrett; 2004
