Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for enlarged prostate. The prostate gland surrounds the male urethra. Hormonal changes due to aging can cause your prostate to become swollen and restrict urine flow. Symptoms include a hesitant, weak stream and frequency at night. Your bladder may not empty completely, increasing the risk of infection. Medical treatments for BPH include surgery or medications that may have side effects. Herbal remedies have not been proven to alleviate symptoms with fewer or milder side effects and are not a substitute for medical care and cancer screenings.
Nettle Root
Urtica dioica, or stinging nettles, is a common weed in the United States. It grows in moist woodlands and along partially shaded paths. The thick, ribbed, hollow stem has heart-shaped, serrated leaves. Watch out for the tiny hairs covering this plant, they cause intense skin irritation. The leaves can be rinsed and boiled to make a nutritious tea or potherb, but it is the root that is traditionally used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. M.R. Sararinejad, of Shahed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran, conducted a randomized, double blind study of nettle root's effects on 558 men. The subjects were given either the herbal treatment or placebo and monitored for maximum urinary flow rate, the volume of urine retained after voiding, and prostate size. After 6 months, each of these indicators had significantly improved for those taking the nettle root treatment. The study was then unblinded so that men given placebos could switch to the herbal remedy for up to 18 months. Nettle root did not change PSA or testosterone levels in this study. The findings were published in the "Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy" in 2005.
Pygeum
An extract from the bark of the African prune tree, Pygeum africanum, is marketed in Italy and France to relieve the discomfort of BPH symptoms. The bark is used in it's natural state in traditional African medicine. According to Drugs.com, pygeum has been shown to reduce swelling and inflammation of the prostate and to increase gland secretions. Pygeum may also tone the bladder and improve sexual function. Because of a lack of scientific studies, pygeum has not been approved in the United States for the prevention or treatment of any condition.
Saw Palmetto
The dried berries of Serenoa repens, or saw palmetto, yield an extract of anti-inflammatory fatty acids and sterols. The herb is grown mostly in Florida and used clinically for the treatment of BPH in Europe. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that saw palmetto may contain an enzyme-inhibiting chemical that prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for prostate enlargement. Study results comparing saw palmetto to placebo, however, have been mixed. Because it may cause drug interactions, your doctor needs to know if you are taking this herb. Due to insufficient clinical studies, saw palmetto has not been approved in the United States for the prevention or treatment of any condition.
