Numerous herbs may help treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, or NIDDK, BPH is the medical term physicians use to describe enlargement of your prostate gland. Although your prostate gland grows during most of your adult life, the enlargement usually does not cause problems until later in life. If you are interested in using herbs to treat your BPH, first consult with your doctor to discuss appropriate dosage and potential side effects.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto may be effective for treating BPH. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth," saw palmetto, also known as Serenoa repens, is a diuretic, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, alterative and male reproductive tract tonic. Saw palmetto supports tissue nutrition of your urinary tract and has been widely used to treat BPH, states Tilgner. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, it is believed that saw palmetto decreases your body's conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone--a substance that promotes prostate growth and is implicated in BPH. If you are thinking about taking saw palmetto to help treat your BPH, you should first consult with your doctor to discuss possible side effects of and proper dosage for this herb.
Nettle Root Extract
Nettle root, a member of the Urticaceae or Nettle family, may be effective in treating BPH. Dr. Ray Sahelian, a medical doctor, nutrition expert and best-selling author, states that stinging nettle plant is an herb with stinging hair found in the forests and mountains of the United States that may be effective for treating BPH. Nettle root is used as an astringent gargle, diuretic, healing agent to stop bleeding and as a treatment for BPH. According to Tilgner, the action of nettle root on BPH is thought to be an interaction with sex hormone binding globulin. If you have early-stage BPH, a concentrated extract made from the roots of the nettle plant may increase your urinary volume and your peak urine flow rate. Before using nettle root extract to treat your BPH, consult with your doctor for proper dosage and potential side effects.
African Plum Tree
African plum tree, also known as Pygeum africanum or Prunus africana, may be effective for treating BPH. African plum tree is an evergreen tree native to parts of sub-saharan Africa, Madagascar and São Tomé. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC, African plum tree has been used for decreasing inflammation, improving sexual performance and treating BPH. The bark of the tree is used medicinally to manage BPH. Several chemicals associated with African plum tree may contribute to the action of this herbal remedy, including triterpenes, ferulic acid, phytosterols and tannins. African plum tree extracts are believed to treat BPH by reducing inflammation in the prostate gland and decreasing androgen, or male hormone, synthesis. Before using African plum tree extracts to treat your BPH, consult your doctor for proper dosage and potential side effects.
