Herbal Treatments For The Prostate Gland

For men who are diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, an herbal prostate treatment may be an option as opposed to prescribed medications or surgery. Saw palmetto is one such herbal supplement to help alleviate urinary symptoms associated with a swollen prostate gland, also called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). It is known that other herbal remedies help cleanse the body of toxins, so it may be found that a herbal cure could be available if studies continue.

The dried berry of the American dwarf palm tree is the main ingredient of saw palmetto extract. This plant is mainly found in the southeastern United States. Harvesting of commercially grown saw palmetto berries is a growing industry as almost 2000 tons of is being shipped to Europe to supply the herbal supplement market.

There are thirty plant-derived compounds that are known to help ease the symptoms of BPH, but the saw palmetto extract is used and studied the most. The United States has not researched the specific use of herbal supplements as much as European countries. Information from reviews of 18 trials that studied 2,939 men who used either saw palmetto or a combination of it with other herbal treatments shows that the researchers reported that there was 28% more relief of urinary symptoms in the treated group than the placebo group. Nighttime urination was reduced by 25%. Urine flow rate was improved by 28% with saw palmetto, and there was 43% less urine left in the bladder after urination. These results are similar to results achieved by prescribed medications such as Proscar, but a comparison to surgical intervention has not been done.

Side effects of saw palmetto are rarely more than mild aversions such as, headache, nausea, and upset stomach. Unlike the 4.9% of men taking prescribed drugs, men using saw palmetto reported only 1.1% of erectile dysfunction. An the initial study of surgery shows that rate to be much higher with surgical intervention.

Saw palmetto is not specifically approved as a treatment or cure in the United States for urinary symptoms caused by BPH; however, it has been approved in Germany. Because it is not regulated as a drug, the response from a particular source of saw palmetto may not be predictable. Another concern is that long term studies have not been conducted, so the occurrence of adverse effects from the long term use of saw palmetto can't be determined.

Because it is only a dietary supplement, saw palmetto manufacturers cannot that it treats, prevents, or cures any disease.

Whether you decide on herbal prostate treatment over conventional treatment or not, you do need to consult a doctor to help you gather the information needed to make a wise choice for your case. Never self-diagnose and self-treat something that could lead to more advanced conditions that could risk your life. Once you have the information necessary, then decide which option is best for you.

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