Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, is a noncancerous condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged. This causes difficulty urinating as well as other urinary problems. BPH is a common condition; symptoms usually start around the age of 50, and by age 85, men have a 90 percent chance of having urinary symptoms caused by BPH. Herbs may help relieve symptoms of BPH and may help reduce the size of the prostate, but herbal remedies may not work for everyone. Prior to taking herbs for BPH, ask your doctor if this is an appropriate treatment for you.
Step 1
Take 80 to 120 mg of grass pollen extract tablets daily. According to Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center, grass pollen has been shown to reduce symptoms of BPH as well as actually reduce prostate size. While the exact mechanism of action is not clear, it is hypothesized that compounds in this herb have anti-inflammatory properties. If you want to use grass pollen extract for BPH, talk to your health care provider about whether it may be helpful for you.
Step 2
Consume saw palmetto. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that saw palmetto has been shown to be as effective as some prescription medications in relieving symptoms of BPH, although it does not shrink the actual prostate gland. When buying a saw palmetto supplement, the University of Maryland recommends looking for a fat-soluble extract standardized to include 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols. If you want to use this herb for BPH, talk to your health care provider about whether it may be helpful for you.
Step 3
Take pygeum supplements. Pygeum africanum is an herb taken from the bark of a tree, and has been used to treat lower urinary tract problems associated with BPH, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The herb works on various hormones and can actually encourage cell death of prostate cancer cells. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking 75 to 200 mg of this supplement daily. If you want to use pygeum supplements for BPH, talk to your health care provider about whether they may be helpful for you.
