The prostate gland manufactures the fluid that carries sperm and is found adjacent to the bladder. Problems of the prostate include cancer and swelling, which may affect bladder functioning. Several natural herbal supplements can help prevent prostate cancer and reduce the problems associated with a swollen, enlarged prostate. Because prostate maladies can be dangerous, always consult your doctor before trying to treat a prostate issue with natural remedies.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto, also known as Sabal serrulata or Serenoa repens, is the most commonly used herbal treatment for an enlarged prostate, according to the National Institutes of Health. It can help alleviate the symptoms associated with prostatic hypertrophy, such as improving urinary flow. It is also hypothesized to help with prostate cancer, though such usage has yet to be backed by reliable clinical studies as of May 2010.
Green Tea
Green tea holds a high number of polyphenols, a form of antioxidants. Green tea may help prevent prostate cancer cells from growing, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Due to its antioxidant content, it may also help with a wide range of other health maladies, including general cardiovascular health.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle, which also goes by the name Urtica dioica, is widely considered to be a noxious weed. When used with other types of herbs like saw palmetto, stinging nettle may help reduce the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, such as better urine flow. The University of Maryland Medical Center says stinging nettle may be as effective as some types of prescription medications, such as finasteride.
Skullcap
Chinese skullcap, or Scutellaria baicalensis, has been used for thousands of years as part of traditional Chinese medicine. It may help combat prostate cancer and other forms of cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Pomegranate
Drinking eight oz. of pomegranate juice every day may help with prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, levels. Your PSA levels have a direct correlation to your prostate cancer risks, with the University of Maryland Medical Center reporting that the positive effects of pomegranate are "significant."
