UPDATE - Issue 19 - October 2004
Herbs for the Prostate
by Peter Amoroso
Medical herbalists have a great deal to offer conventional medicine. The goal is to restore function using products from nature. I recently met with a colleague and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast while learning more about the extensive skills of the medical herbalist. We doctors should embrace these principles in order to enhance our own care standards.
Saw Palmetto plant
In the case of prostatic symptoms caused by benign enlargement or hypertrophy of the gland (BPH), the medical herbalist has a great deal to offer. Many of us have heard of the herb saw palmetto (serenoa repens, sabal serrulata) which is a plant native to the southeast United States. This herb has been shown to inhibit the action of 5 alpha reductase, growth factors and inflammatory substances responsible for the common symptoms of BPH. These are urgency, nocturia, incomplete emptying, prolonged voiding and dribbling. Overall 85% of subjects will experience an improvement in symptoms. Other useful herbs include cernilton (an extract of flower pollen), pygeum africanum (evergreen tree bark native to Africa) and urtica dioica (stinging nettles).
The prescription will vary from person to person but something we can all do to promote health is improve our diet. We can add substances which will promote prostate health and withdraw products which are harmful to our health (eg gluten, saturated fats). All we men should take zinc in our diet as this is highly beneficial to the prostate gland. Zinc is abundant in pumpkin seeds. Many of us know about the benefit of eating cooked tomatoes (particularly the skin) and nuts (especially hazelnuts, almonds, brazils).
What did I enjoy with my colleague for breakfast. The most wonderful Saw Palmetto berries smoothie - the quickest, most delicious and healthiest breakfast in the world! It consisted of natural yoghurt, banana, apple with skin, pear with skin, berries, oatmeal, linseeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, accompanied by green tea with fresh ginger: Delicious. Eat well, stay healthy!