Alternative Prostate Treatment
Considering an alternative prostate treatment? In this section you will find the best health supplements that help reduce an enlarged prostate and promote prostate health in a natural way, without the dreadful side effects of prescribed medications and surgery. Health supplements based on assorted herbs, vitamins and minerals are known to be extremely helpful both in preventing and treating prostate disorders.
It is important to note that many doctors, practitioners of conventional medicine, recommend that alternative therapies be incorporated withinn a standard prostate treatment framework – in order to improve the results of conventional treatment, reduce the side effects, and possibly allow to discontinue the conventional treatments altogether.
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto extract is made from the ripened berries of the saw palmetto shrub found in the West Indies and the southern Atlantic coast of North America. This is by far the most widely recommended health supplement for prostate problems. It improves urine flow, promotes emptying of the bladder, and reduces nocturia (night-time urination), pain and discomfort. It also reduces swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland. Saw Palmetto extract effectively inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the prostate without the harmful side effects of prescription drugs. Men who have used the extract have reported improvements within 30-45 days of use. Many men claim this herb helped reduce the size of their prostates, actually saving them from surgery. Saw palmetto is also commonly regarded as an aphrodisiac and male sexual tonic. It undoubtedly has hormonal activity and may improve libido in both men and women.
Pygeum Africanum
Pygeum Africanum is made from the bark of an African plum tree, is rich in beta-sitosterol, which also inhibits the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. It reduces the signs and symptoms of prostate enlargement, especially in early cases. Urine flow rate and residual urine symptoms improve dramatically.
The combination of Pygeum Africanun and Saw Palmetto Extract has been shown to significantly improve the symptoms of BPH, decrease prostate enlargement and ease up on inflammation.
Beta-Sitosterol
Studies have shown that Beta-Sitosterol, one of several plant sterols found in many plants, inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the prostate and thus helps improve all symptoms of BPH. It reduces cholesterol and improves the urine flow, decreasing the amount of urine left in the bladder. High levels of Beta-Sitosterol are found in wheat germ, rice bran, soybeans, corn oil and in peanuts and its products. Other plants containing Beta-Sitosterol include the African potato and species of both pine and spruce. These plants could be an option for treating BPH, but unfortunately, the average (even healthy) diet provides only a small fraction of the optimum levels of beta-sitosterol per day required for prostate health benefits. This is where health supplements come handy – they are designed for an optimal intake of this amazing substance to enjoy its powerful benefits.
Click here to read more about Beta-Sitosterol and related products
Cernilton
Cernilton is an extract of flower pollen that has been used in Europe for over 30 years to treat prostate enlargement and its symptoms. It inhibits growth of the prostate cells. Studies have shown that it brings improvement to 70% of those who tried it.
Nettle
Infamous for its stinging leaves, nettle has great value as food and medicine. Rich in iron, calcium and silica, nettle leaf makes a useful tonic food — as tea or soup — helping with numerous disorders including anaemia and rheumatic problems. Nettle leaf also has marked anti-allergenic activity. Found in temperate regions worldwide, nettle has been used medicinally for centuries. The aerial parts are picked in summer, while the shoots are picked in spring and eaten as a tonic food and vegetable.
Following several clinical studies, nettle root is now commonly used as a first-line treatment in Europe to treat symptoms of enlarged prostate such as poor urine flow, pain, difficulty in passing urine, and urinary frequency. Nettle root cam be taken on its own as a tincture, or combined with saw palmetto.
Cranberry
A well-known household remedy, cranberry is commonly taken for urinary tract problems such as cystitis and urethritis. Sharp-flavoured and rich in vitamin C, it has strong disinfectant properties within the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts.
Cranberry’s tonic and antiseptic action within the urinary tract makes it useful in problems affecting the prostate gland. Taken regularly as a juice or extract, it can help to ease frequency and other symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. Other prostate problems, such as chronic prostatitis, may benefit from medium to long term use.
Cranberry can also be a valuable supplement to take in digestive infections and diarrhoea, and in allergic states affecting the gut or respiratory system.
OTHER HERBS used for the treatment of BPH:
• Willowherb
• Golden rod
• Echinacea – antibiotic, produces infection fighting white cells in blood, anti-inflammatory, boosts immunity. If your prostate is inflamed or infected, take teas of nettle root or echinacea three to six times a day.
• Vitex – possesses hormone regulation properties. Beware: cools sexual passion!
• Licorice – prevents the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
• Plantain – Zinc rich, helpful for enlarged prostate.
August 12th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I agree that the combination of Pygeum Africanun and Saw Palmetto is probably the most effective alternative treatment. It is definitely worth it to try it out before resorting to surgery.