Enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a common nonmalignant problem in men over 60. An enlarged prostate can constrict the uretha---the tube through which urine passes---and block urine flow. Symptoms, like decreased urination and urinary tract infections, may be mild, but if left untreated, an enlarged prostate can lead to kidney damage and bladder stones. Herbal teas, capsules and tinctures may be effective home remedies for an enlarged prostate. Before starting herbal treatment for this disorder, it is important to consult an herbalist or other health care professional.
Reishi
Reishi, also known as lingzhi, or Ganoderma lucidum, is a medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine. Chinese medical texts, like the Compendium of Materia Medica from the 14th to 17th century Ming Dynasty, mention the medicinal properties of reishi and the various parts of the body it is supposed to nourish. Chinese healers use the mushroom to treat cancer, bronchitis, hypertension, and liver and kidney diseases. A study by R. Fujita, et al, published in the October 2005 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that reishi significantly reduced prostate growth in test animals. Reishi has anti-androgen effects, meaning it inhibits 5alpha-reductase, the enzyme involved in producing dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, the prostatic androgen responsible for prostate enlargement. This study demonstrates reishi's anti-androgen action on 5alpha-reductase, which may benefit patients with BPH, but further research is needed to test these results in humans.
African Plum Tree
African plum tree, or Pygeum africanum and Prunus africana, is an evergreen with glossy green leaves and small white flowers native to tropical and subtropical Africa. Folk healers use it to treat a range of disorders, including bladder problems, inflammation, kidney disease, baldness and prostate problems. The bark contains plant sterols, tannins and triterpenoids, and bark extracts are used in Europe to treat BPH and prostate cancer. A study by M. Papaioannou, et al, published in the September 2009 issue of "Investigational New Drugs" found that an extract of the bark contains a chemical called N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide, or NBBS, which is a potent inhibitor of human androgen receptor, a protein that controls prostate growth. NBBS works by binding to the androgen receptor and preventing it from entering the cell's nucleus. Other chemicals in the bark may also have an effect on BPH. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink say that beta-sitosterol, the terpenoids and ferulic acid esters may contribute to the bark's ability to reduce BPH symptoms. Further studies are needed to determine the active ingredients in African plum tree and their mode of action.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens and Sabal serrulatum, is a short palm plant that produces fruits, or berries, that become brownish-black when mature. Traditional healers use the fruits to treat bronchitis and lung diseases. The active ingredients include fatty acids and plant sterols, and the berries have aphrodisiac, stimulant, sedative and diuretic actions. A study by P. Pais published in the August 2010 issue of "Advances in Therapy" found that a new ethanol extract of saw palmetto, called SPET-085, inhibited the 5alpha-reductase enzyme involved in prostate enlargement. The study showed that using ethanol, rather than the typical hexane solvent, allowed the researchers to use a lower dose of saw palmetto to achieve their results. Another study by R. Anceschi, et al, published in the July 2010 issue of "Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica" compared the results of prostate surgery on two groups of patients with BPH, one pre-treated with saw palmetto and the control group with no pre-treatment. The group treated with saw palmetto had shorter surgery time, no complications during surgery, no need for transfusion and better post-operative recovery compared to the control group, whose surgery lasted 18 minutes longer with 15 percent complications and 38.33 percent transfusions. These studies show the benefit of saw palmetto for BPH. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the mechanism of action.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Anti-androgenic activities of Ganoderma lucidum; Fujita,R; Liu,J; Shimizu,K; Konishi,F; Noda,K; Kumamoto,S; Ueda,C; Tajiri,H; Kaneko,S; Suimi,Y; Kondo,R; October 2005
- "Investigational New Drugs"; NBBS isolated from Pygeum africanum bark exhibits androgen antagonistic activity, inhibits AR nuclear translocation and prostate cancer cell growth; Papaioannou M, Schleich S, Roell D, Schubert U, Tanner T, Claessens F, Matusch R, Baniahmad A; September 2009
- "Advances in Therapy"; Potency of a novel saw palmetto ethanol extract, SPET-085, for inhibition of 5alpha-reductase II; Pais P; August 2010
- "Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica"; Serenoa repens (Permixon(R)) reduces intra- and postoperative complications of surgical treatments of benign prostatic hyperplasia; Anceschi R, Bisi M, Ghidini N, Ferrari G, Ferrari P; July 2010
