The prostate gland surrounds the male urethra, which receives urine from the bladder. In older men, the prostate gland sometimes enlarges in a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. As it becomes larger, the prostate may exert pressure on the urethra, interfering with the flow of urine and causing other urinary problems. Pygeum is a traditional herbal remedy that may help relieve some symptoms of BPH. Consult your doctor to discuss whether consuming pygeum is appropriate for you.
Causes and Symptoms
The exact cause of PBH is not clear, although the male hormone testosterone and one of its metabolites, dihydrotestosterone or DHT, may play a role in its development. The most common symptoms of BPH include difficulty urinating and emptying the bladder, more frequent urination, especially at night, and urinary tract infections. The condition may also affect the bladder itself, which sometimes develops a thickened wall and becomes hypersensitive, leading to a sensation of needing to urinate even when the bladder is empty.
Pygeum
The pygeum tree grows at high altitudes in Africa, where its bark is harvested for use in herbal medicine. Pygeum is traditionally used to treat urinary tract disorders, including prostatic inflammation and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Pygeum has been approved in Germany, France and Italy for use in cases of BPH. Pygeum contains three classes of compounds, phytosterols, triterpenes and ferulic acid. The phytosterols and triterpenes have anti-inflammatory properties, while ferulic acid reduces cholesterol in the prostate. Because cholesterol is a precursor to testosterone and DHT, this may reduce the level of these hormones in the prostate.
The Evidence
A large, double-blind clinical study of pygeum as a treatment for BPH was carried out in Europe in 1990. The findings were published in "Wien Klinische Wochenschrifft," a German journal. Most subjects who took pygeum for 60 days experienced a 50 percent improvement in all aspects of urinary function compared to subjects who took a placebo. In 1999, a clinical trial in the U.S. of BPH patients given pygeum or a placebo produced similar, positive results, published in the journal "Urology."
Recommendations and Precautions
Pygeum extract is available as a standardized preparation, usually containing 13 percent sterols. The recommended dosage is 50 to 100mg twice each day. The herb is considered safe and causes no major side effects, although you may experience mild gastric upset. There are no known interactions between pygeum and any other supplements or drugs. Discuss with your doctor whether taking pygeum is a good strategy for you.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pygeum
- University of Michigan Health System: Pygeum
- Wien Klinische Wochenschrifft: Efficacy of Pygeui Africanum Extract in the Medical Therapy of Urination Disorders Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Evaluation of Objective and Subjective Parameters. A Placebo-controlled Double-blind Multicenter Study
- Urology: Comparison of a Once and Twice Daily Dosage Forms of Pygeum Africanum Extract in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized, Double-blind Study, with Long-term Open Label Extension
