The Best Herbs To Conquer Prostate Problems

Prostate problems are suspected when the following symptoms occur: difficulty starting to urinate, weak urine stream, and urinary retention of incontinence, painful urination or bloody urine. The most common conditions that affect the prostate are: benign prostatic hyperplasia or non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, prostate cancer, and prostatitis, a swelling or infection of the gland. Saw Palmetto, Cernilton and Pygeum africanum are three of the best natural products that can help reduce symptoms of prostate problems.

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto, also known as cabbage palm is a tree native from North America. The fruit extracts from this tree have been used for hundreds of years. It has been employed for treatment of several conditions such as for benign prostate hyperplasia, male pattern baldness and hormonal imbalances. Currently, researchers are testing Saw Palmetto's possible benefits for prostate cancer. In the July 2010 issue of "Advances in Therapy," the authors concluded that a novel extract from saw palmetto named SPET-085 is as effective as finasteride, a commonly used drug to treat prostate enlargement.

Pygeum Africanum

The Pygeum Africanum, also known as African plum, tree, belongs to the Rosaceae family and grows in central and southern Africa. It has a long history in Africa, where it is used to treat bladder and urinary symptoms, especially when associated with benign prostatic enlargement. The active ingredients of the extract from the Pygeum bark include plant sterols such as beta-sitosterol that have anti-inflammatory effects for prostate. Wilt T. and Ishani A. published on January 21. 2002 in "The Cochrane Collaboration," a study designed to assess the efficacy of Pygeum Africanum. The review found that this natural product is well tolerated, cheaper than many prescription medicines, and provides moderate relief from the urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.

Cernilton Extract

Cernilton is a standardized extract from Secale Cereale or rye grass. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to relax muscles that surround the urethra and also prevents the growth of the prostate. An article from UroToday.com, published on October 26, 2009 in " Medical News Today," contains the results of a study that tested the benefits of Cernilton for inflammatory chronic prostatitis, or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The results showed show that the pollen extract might be a useful treatment option.

Considerations

In his 2002 book "The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicine," M. Murray, N.D. has saw palmetto, Pygeum Africanum and Cernilton rated as "A" for both effectiveness and safety in the treatment of enlarged prostate and associated symptoms. The "A" rating is given when a herbal product yields excellent results in multiple double-blind studies and has an excellent safety profile. However, it is highly recommended that men consult a medical professional to recommend the optimal combination and dose of these herbal products and to assess possible interactions with other drugs or supplements.