3 Powerful Herbs for Prostate Health

Maintaining a healthy prostate should be a top priority for men over forty-five years old. When this walnut sized gland that sits around the urethra (the tube that transport urine) becomes enlarged, some serious problems can occur. This is often known as non-cancerous BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) which can result in:

• Restrictive urination
• Difficulty urinating
• Urinary leakage
• UTIs (urinary tract infections)
• Erectile dysfunction 
• Ejaculatory problems

If BPH is not addressed it can manifest into prostatitis which is an inflammation of the prostate gland usually caused by a bacterial infection. Sometimes cancer can develop within the prostate which could easily go undetected for years until it becomes a serious condition. This is why regular blood and prostate screenings are highly recommended. Through the blood, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels can be detected which, if elevated, can indicate possible cancer. Also, a urologist can perform a DRE (digital rectal exam) which is a manual checkup of the prostate to determine if the prostate is enlarged. BPH, prostatitis, and if detected early, prostate cancer can all be treated and, in many cases, cured. The key factor here, of course, is early detection. 

With such high risk for men, maintaining a healthy prostate before it can develop into these conditions is essential. These 3 powerful herbs for prostate health have shown significant assistance in keeping the prostate running on all cylinders. This is botanical medicine which could help prevent future prostate problems and may even slow BPH progression (prostatitis and prostate cancer always require medical intervention). Note: Always check with your doctor before taking any herbal remedies. Also, understand that any natural remedy, particularly herbs, could take up to two to four weeks before accumulated enough in the system to be effective. 

Saw Palmetto 

Saw palmetto is derived from a shrub-like palm native to the southeastern United States. It has been used for centuries as a supplement to help urinary and reproductive disorders of both males and females. Although various studies determined the effectiveness of this herb, others claim there is no difference between saw palmetto and a placebo. However, like most natural remedies, it often depends on the individual and how their system will react, individually, to a natural supplement. Not all supplements work the same on all people. 

A 2020 study of subjects aged 40-65 years with symptomatic BPH were randomized to a 12-week double-blind treatment with 500 mg doses of β-sitosterol enriched saw palmetto oil, conventional saw palmetto oil and placebo orally in the form of capsules for mitigating benign prostate hyperplasia and androgen [male sex hormone] deficiency published in BioMed Central Urology found that,

“This study demonstrates the efficacy of β-sitosterol enriched saw palmetto oil superior to conventional oil thus extending the scope of effective BPH and androgen deficiency treatment with improved quality of life through the intake of functional ingredients.” 

Overall saw palmetto is safe to use and may be a good beginning herb to treat an enlarged prostate or associated symptoms of urinary compromise.

Rye Grass Extract

If you are not prone to airborne pollen allergies and have minimal enlarged prostate symptoms rye grass extract may be a good remedy. Chemical compounds found in rye grass pollen have shown promising results in mitigating prostate swelling, possibly reducing prostate cancer cells and promoting good gut bacteria. 

According to WebMD, 

“Shrinking an enlarged prostate, prostate swelling, and pain. Taking rye grass pollen extract [Cernilton – this is a pharmaceutical made from rye grass] seems to reduce prostate pain caused by an enlarged prostate or prostate swelling.”

Pygeum africanum (Prunus africana) 

Derived from the African plum tree, pygeum contains the active ingredients that scientists determine to be a possible herbal treatment for BPH. This herb has been particularly successful in the improvement of urine flow and bladder emptying.

Spanish researchers from various hospitals Spain studied the effectiveness of treatment with Pygeum africanum and had results published in the Archivos Espanoles de Urologia (2022) which concluded that,

“Treatment with P. africanum during 6 months improved significantly QoL [quality of life] and LUTS [lower urinary tract symptoms] inpatients with BPH, with a high level of satisfaction and compliance with treatment, without adverse events.”

Sometimes resorting to natural remedies such as these 3 powerful herbs for prostate health can make a difference. Stay in contact with your physician or holistic practitioner for a safe herbal protocol to help reduce the effects of an enlarged prostate. 

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/enlarged-prostate/natural-remedies

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/sex-and-the-prostate-overcoming-erectile-dysfunction-when-you-have-prostate-disease-20090331100

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32620155/

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-466/rye-grass

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35435166/