Prostate enlargement, medically called benign prostatic hyperlasia or BPH, typically affects men over the age of 40. Symptoms appear in more than half of men in their 60s and up to 90 percent of men in their 70s and 80s, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. BPH typically causes urinary problems, such as a hesitant or weak urine stream, leaking, dribbling, urgency and increased frequency, especially at night. Certain herbs help BPH. Consult with a professional herbalist for proper diagnosis and personalized advice on herbal combinations, forms, dosage and safety.
Saw Palmetto
According to Dr. Eric Yarnell, a naturopathic physician and author of "Naturopathic Urology and Men's Health," saw palmetto relieves mild to moderate BPH symptoms as well as the commonly prescribed medication finasteride with far fewer side effects. Yarnell adds that saw palmetto does not shrink the prostate nor does it lower levels of prostate specific antigen, or PSA -- a blood marker used to screen for prostate cancer. Saw palmetto's active ingredients include fatty acids, plant sterols, flavonoids and high molecular weight polysaccharides. The plant is thought to work by interacting with hormones that contribute to prostate enlargement. Saw palmetto may be taken as a tea, tincture, extract, capsule or tablet.
Pygeum
Pygeum, also known as African plum tree and by the Latin names Prunus africanum and Pygeum africanum, is a tree native to sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. The bark is used to make medicine. Pygeum is traditionally used to diminish inflammation, enhance sexual performance and treat BPH. Some of pygeum's active constituents include triterpenes, ferulic acid, phytosterols and tannins. Like saw palmetto, pygeum is helpful in controlling symptoms of BPH. Unfortunately, the pygeum tree is often killed in the harvesting process, and the species is now endangered in the wild. Therefore, pygeum products should only be used when they're derived from cultivated trees.
Nettle
Nettle, also called stinging nettle and Urtica dioica, is a member of the Urticaceae plant family. The plant is covered in tiny hairs that cause skin irritation on contact. The irritating chemicals within the hairs also contain anti-inflammatory properties. Nettle is used to treat a variety of ailments, including joint pain, eczema, gout, anemia, hay fever and urinary tract infections. Nettle also alleviates BPH symptoms and is often combined with saw palmetto, though it's effective on its own as well. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, nettle relieves the BPH-associated symptoms of reduced urinary flow, constant urge to urinate and dripping after urination. Nettles may be taken as a tea, tincture, fluid extract and capsule.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- "Naturopathic Urology and Men's Health"; Eric Yarnell, N.D., R.H.; 2001
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Saw Palmetto
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pygeum
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Stinging Nettle
