Learn More: Enlarged Prostate
Herbs Used to Treat BPH
The most popular and most widely used plant extract for treating BPH-related symptoms is saw palmetto (Serenoa repens).
Other plant extracts that are used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms are
In Europe, some of the more common prescription products available using these plant extracts are
- Permixon (from saw palmetto)
- Tandenan (from African plum)
- Harzol (from South African star grass)
- Cernilton (from rye pollen)
| Herbal Treatments |
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| saw palmetto |
Source
- Derived from the dried berry of a fan palm
Pros
- Has been used for many years in Europe
- Similar effectiveness as finasteride
- 3 out of 4 get some favorable response; symptom score reduced by an average 28%; peak flow rate increased by an average 24%
- Minimal side effects; no drug interactions
- No restrictions on the duration of use
- Only herb with reasonable scientific evidence of effectiveness
Cons
- Need to discuss with doctor if taking finasteride (Proscar®)
- Evidence is limited; no randomized comparison studies or long-term studies
- Takes 4–6 weeks to see effects
- Not regulated by FDA; many products on market; cannot be completely sure of ingredients
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| Pygeum africanum |
Source
- Derived from the bark of the African plum tree
Pros
Cons
- Remains unproven due to limited studies
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| Urtica Dioca (stinging nettles) |
Source
- Extracts from the roots of stinging nettle
Pros
Cons
- Remains unproven due to limited studies
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| pollen extracts |
Source
- Extracts of pollen from several Swedish plants
Pros
- Minimal side effects
- Weak scientific evidence
Cons
- May produce allergic response in some people
- Remains unproven due to limited studies
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| beta-sitosterol |
Source
- Class of compounds from plants called phytosterols, such as the South African star grass (Hypoxis rooperi)
Pros
- Minimal side effects (1%–2% of men experience some stomach problems)
- Weak scientific evidence
Cons
- Remains unproven due to limited studies
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