-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
reproductive system
benign prostatic hypertrophy
Botanicals

primary herbs

Agropyron repens (Triticum repens): (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 18; Weiss, p. 255)
Chamaelirium luteum (Helonias): prostate aches as if sitting on a ball (Sherman)
Cucurbita pepo (squash and pumpkin): specially grown varieties; decongests prostate, tones bladder and sphincter (Weiss, p. 254)
Delphinium staphysagria (toxic): to assist other indicated remedies (Ellingwood, p. 455)
Echinacea purpurea: (Weiss, p. 255)
Equisetum arvense: specific for; combines well with Hydrangea arborescens (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 84)
Galium aparine: prostatic irritation in aged (Ellingwood, p. 432
Pygeum africanum: (Dufour B, Choquenet C. Ann Urology. 1984;18:193-195; Donkervoort T, et al.. Urology. 1977;8:218-225.)
Serenoa serrulata; Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto): specific for throbbing, aching dull pain, discharge, irritation with dysuria and dribbling in aged.
(Champlault G, et al. Brit J Clin Pharmacol 18, 461-62, 1984; British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 197; Ellingwood, p. 458; Weiss, p. 254; Marks LS, et al. J Urol. 2000 May;163(5):1451-1456.)
Thuja occidentalis: (Ellingwood, p. 396)
Urtica dioica (leaf and root): activates metabolism (Weiss, p. 255)


complementary herbs

• Agropyron repens (Triticum repens): with Hydrangea arborescens (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 18; Weiss, p. 255)
• Cucurbita pepo + Serenoa serrulata + Echinacea purpurea (Weiss, p. 254)

to improve prostate health the following herbs in combination:
Alaria esculenta (kelp)
Cimicifuga racemosa
Capsicum frutescens
Zingiber officinalis
Polygonum multiflorum
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Lobelia inflata (toxic) (small amount) (NCNM Botanicals)

for a list of European prostate remedies see Weiss, Herbal Medicine 1988, p. 256

Serenoa serrulata may combine well with Equisetum arvense and Hydrangea arborescens
(Champlault G, et al. Brit J Clin Pharmacol 1984;18, 461-462; British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 197; Ellingwood, p. 458; Weiss, p. 254.)


footnotes

Champlault G, Patel JC, Bonnard AM. A double-blind trial of an extreact of the plant Serenoa repens in BPH. Brit J Clin Pharmacol 1984;18:461-462.
Abstract: This double bind study showed that Serenoa extract was significantly more effective than placebo at reducing major symptoms of BPH

Donkervoort T, et al.. A clinical and urodynamic study of Tadenan in the treatment of BPH. Urology. 1977;8:218-25.
Abstract: This double bind study showed that Pygeum extract was significantly more effective than placebo at reducing objective symptoms such as daytime frequency, nighttime frequency, weak stream and hesitation.

Dufour B, Choquenet C. Trial controlling the effects of Pygeum africanum extract on the functional symptoms of prostatic adenoma. Annul Urology. 1984;18:193-195.
Abstract:This double bind study showed that Pygeum extract was significantly more effective than placebo at reducing major symptoms of BPH. It was noted in this study that the placebo had a relatively high rate of improvement as well.

Marks LS, Partin AW, Epstein JI, Tyler VE, Simon I, Macairan ML, Chan TL, Dorey FJ, Garris JB, Veltri RW, Santos PB, Stonebrook KA, deKERNION JB. Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2000 May;163(5):1451-1456.
Abstract: PURPOSE: We tested the effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) via a randomized, placebo controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomized 44 men 45 to 80 years old with symptomatic BPH into a trial of a saw palmetto herbal blend versus placebo. End points included routine clinical measures (symptom score, uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine volume), blood chemistry studies (prostate specific antigen, sex hormones and multiphasic analysis), prostate volumetrics by magnetic resonance imaging, and prostate biopsy for zonal tissue morphometry and semiquantitative histology studies. RESULTS: Saw palmetto herbal blend and placebo groups had improved clinical parameters with a slight advantage in the saw palmetto group (not statistically significant). Neither prostate specific antigen nor prostate volume changed from baseline. Prostate epithelial contraction was noted, especially in the transition zone, where percent epithelium decreased from 17.8% at baseline to 10.7% after 6 months of saw palmetto herbal blend (p <0.01). Histological studies showed that the percent of atrophic glands increased from 25. 2% to 40.9% after treatment with saw palmetto herbal blend (p <0.01). The mechanism of action appeared to be nonhormonal but it was not identified by tissue studies of apoptosis, cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, growth factors or androgen receptor expression. We noted no adverse effects of saw palmetto herbal blend. When the study was no longer blinded, 41 men elected to continue therapy in an open label extension. CONCLUSIONS: Saw palmetto herbal blend appears to be a safe, highly desirable option for men with moderately symptomatic BPH. The secondary outcome measures of clinical effect in our study were only slightly better for saw palmetto herbal blend than placebo (not statistically significant). However, saw palmetto herbal blend therapy was associated with epithelial contraction, especially in the transition zone (p <0.01), indicating a possible mechanism of action underlying the clinical significance detected in other studies.