Best Herbal Remedies For Prostatitis

Prostatitis is nothing but an inflammation of prostate gland, which is a gland present only in men, beneath the bladder. Symptoms of prostatitis vary. They include burning or pain sensation while passing urine (dysuria), increased frequency of urination (especially in the night, called as nocturia), difficulty in urinating, and urgent need to pass urine.

There can also be pain in the groin, lower back, abdomen, perineum or testicles.Often the cause for prostatitis cannot be determined. The identified causes tend to be bacterial infection, nervous system or immune disorder, and injury to either the prostate or the area around the prostate. Prostatitis may get better on its own or last for several months. Its treatment depends on the cause.

Antibiotics are necessary in case of infection. For pain relief, one may be prescribed alpha blockers, such as tamsulosin, terazosin, and doxazosin; anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Sometimes herbal remedies are helpful, which are discussed below.

---

Effective Herbal Remedies For Prostatitis

Always consult your physician before trying any of the herbal remedies given below. This is because they may interact with other medications you may be taking, and they also have some side effects of their own.

Saw Palmetto

The berries of Serenoa repens are used to make the saw palmetto extract. The active ingredient is tyramine, an amino acid. Tyramine relaxes the tissues around the prostate, allowing greater flow of urine. The sugars or polysaccharides in the extract may reduce the inflammation and boost the immune system.

Another effect of saw palmetto is inhibition of the enzymes that promote the growth of prostate. Its side effects are headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and diarrhea. People prone to migraine should avoid it. Dose is 160 mg capsule, twice daily.

---

Cernilton

Cernilton is the extract obtained from the pollen of rye grass (Secale cereale). It works by interfering with chemicals that mediate inflammation. It decreases the frequency of urination, nocturia, urgency of micturition, and facilitates urine flow. Its dose is 500-1000 mg 2-3 times/day. Side effects are heartburn, nausea and bloating.

---

Pygeum

Pygeum improves urinary flow, decreases residual urine volume and decreases nocturia. The extract is prepared from the bark of Pygeum africanum. It works by shrinking the prostate. The dose is 75-200 mg/day. Side effects that can occur are nausea and abdominal pain.

---

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle extract is derived from the root and aerial parts of Urtica dioica. It works by slowing down the growth of prostate cells either through direct action or through its effects on the levels of testosterone and estrogen. Its dose is 80 mg/day. In addition to sweating and stomach complaints, its side effects are lowered blood sugar and blood pressure.

---

Pumpkin Seed Oil

The oil extracted from the seeds of the pumpkin plant Cucurbita pepo. It contains beta-sisterol, a cholesterol-like chemical, which inhibits the enlargement of prostate.  Daily dose is 480 mg of the oil extract in 3 divided doses. It is by and large safe, though some men may experience ejaculation problems.

---

Quercetin Containing Herbs

Quercetin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory chemical, which fights inflammation and boosts the immune system. Hence it is useful in prostatitis.

You can get quercetin into your system by consuming onions, green tea, berries, apples, St. John’s wort, Ginkgo biloba, or American elder extracts. The herbal extracts should be consumed so as to get 500 mg of quercetin twice a day into your body.