| Natural
Remedy |
What
experts say about them |
Saw
Palmetto
|
 (What's this?)
Saw
palmetto is well studied for the treatment of an enlarged prostate
gland. Previous clinical studies show that it is effective for shrinking the
gland. This herb is one of the better natural remedies for enlarged
prostate glands.
A recent well-designed study involving 369 men showed that it was no better than taking a placebo (sugar pill) after 48 weeks of using this herb.
Dose: Take 160 mg taken twice daily. For other dosage
formulations, see the full review on saw
palmetto.
|
| Beta-sitosterol |
Clinical evidence support using beta-sitosterol for the treatment
of an enlarged prostate. It improved all the symptoms such as urinary
flow.
Dose:
Take 20 mg three times
daily. Results may take up to 6 months. Dose as high as 160 mg daily
have been used in clinical studies with equally good results.
|
| Pygeum |
Pygeum is approved for use in treating BPH in Italy, Germany and
France. It can help with mild to moderate BPH by reducing inflammation
and inhibiting prostate growth factors.
It will improve symptoms
such as the frequency of urination, reduce the need to urinate during
the night and promotes a more complete emptying of the bladder.
Dose:
Take 50 to 100 mg twice daily. Use the standardized formulation when
possible which contains 13% sterols.
|
| Rye Pollen |
Several well-designed
studies show that rye pollen was helpful in reducing the symptoms of
BPH. When it was compared to pygeum, it seems to be significantly
better at reducing symptoms of BPH.
Dose:
Take as directed, usually 3 tablets twice daily as per the manufacturer
directions.
|
| Nettle Root |
Nettle seems to increase urine flow, helps to regulate hormones and
appears to change the condition of the prostate cells.
Dose:
Take 120 mg twice daily. Tincture - 2 to
4 mL three times daily.
|
| Pumpkin Seeds |
Pumpkin
seed oil is shown to help reduce the symptoms of BPH in clinical
studies. As pumpkin seed oil is a rich source of sterol, zinc and fatty
acids, experts believe that this is the reason why it seems to work.
Dose:
Take 160 mg three times daily with food.
|
Zinc
|
Zinc
plays an important role in maintaining prostate health and is also
found in seminal secretions. Some small clinical studies show that zinc
helped with improving symptoms of BPH. Larger studies will need to be
done to confirm this initial finding.
Dose:
Take 15 to 30 mg daily.
Note:
Take with 3 mg of copper. It is known that high doses of zinc cause
copper deficiency in the body.
|
Garlic
|
Some small studies seem to show that taking garlic may help to improve
urine flow in those people with enlarged prostate.
Dose: Take 200 to 400 mg three times daily.
|
| Red Clover |
Some research seems to show that the isoflavones found in red clover
can reduce some symptoms of BPH although it did not shrink
the size of the prostate gland. More studies will need to be done to
verify this.
Dose:
Take 40 to 80 mg daily for at least 3 months.
|
Essential Fatty Acids
(Fish Oil) |
These include fish oil
or flaxseed oil. Essential fatty acids have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Experts
believe that essential fatty acids can be helpful to shrink the
enlarged prostate gland. However, there are limited studies done in
humans to verify this claim although pumpkin seed oil (also a rich
source of fatty acids) is shown to help.
Dose:
Take 15 mL of flaxseed oil daily. Or take 3,000 mg (3 grams) of fish
oil daily (divide into two or three doses daily if desired. You may
take 3 grams as a single daily dose).
|
| Maca |
Studies done on rats show that maca was able to shrink the prostate
gland.
|
