Prostatitis is a condition that affects a huge number of men worldwide. It causes pelvic pain and discomfort in those afflicted. The condition can make urination difficult and can also impair a man's sexual functioning. More than that, it can be a source of intense emotional distress.
Conventional treatments of prostatitis tend to go in one of three directions: They either try to kill bacteria (with antibiotics), try to dampen inflammatory responses (with anti-inflammatories), or try to relax the smooth muscles in and around the prostate (with a class of drugs called alpha-blockers). When these three strategies fail to yield results or when the men involved grow weary of battling side effects, a significant number turn to remedies from the plant world. Why? Because these living-history remedies have long been part of the lifestyle of those seeking relief from chronic prostatitis.
Types of chronic prostatitis
There are different types of chronic prostatitis. These include bacterial and nonbacterial types. Bacterial prostatitis is caused by infections. The causes of nonbacterial prostatitis are still being researched. The most common form of nonbacterial chronic prostatitis is termed CPPS or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. With this condition, a male has chronic pelvic pain that lasts longer than three months, which is not due to any identifiable causes. Quite commonly, the CPPS male also has urinary symptoms.
Conventional Treatments for Chronic Prostatitis
The management of chronic prostatitis often necessitates a combination of several drugs, which fall chiefly into two categories. One comprises the alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) and alfuzosin (Uroxatral). These relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder neck, which improves urinary flow and eases symptoms of weak stream, hesitancy, and so forth.
The second major category comprises the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart). These shrink the prostate. They are not primarily urinary relaxants but have been found to help with urinary prostatitis symptoms.
Even though these treatments work well, some men want to try natural, herbal remedies. They might see these as a better option or a way to complement their treatment.
Herbal Medicine for Chronic Prostatitis
For centuries, people in different cultures around the world have turned to plant-based medicine to address a variety of health problems. The natural world offers an almost infinite supply of possibilities for medicinal plants. At least a third of the drugs used in the United States are derived from plants. As for urology, many health challenges have their roots in inflammation, which is the body's natural reaction to a perceived threat. Several plants with anti-inflammatory properties—such as Saw Palmetto and Beta-Sitosterol have shown promise for dealing with prostate issues.
Saw Palmetto: An Anti-inflammatory Powerhouse
The plant saw palmetto, which grows in abundance in the southeastern United States, produces berries that are among the most commonly used herbal remedies in the American South. In Africa, where I was born and bred, I learned that a visit to the local "prostate doctor" was a common occurrence among men in their sixties and seventies, who did not want to have the same problem that seemed to plague so many of their age group.
The majority of these men, in my limited experience and observation, used the relatively ancient herbal remedy saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is most commonly used for issues with the prostate. The most studied, and perhaps significant condition for which it is used is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), known to most men as an enlarged prostate.
Beta-Sitosterol: A Powerful Prostate Gland Shrinker
Plant-derived beta-sitosterol is a commonly occurring compound in many herbs and foods. This compound may aid in the alleviation of urinary symptoms stemming from an enlarged prostate. Research has shown that beta-sitosterol can counter, to some degree, the action of 5-alpha reductase, a key player in the prostate health drama. In addition, beta-sitosterol has demonstrated quite good anti-inflammatory activity.
Stinging Nettle: A Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Herb
Stinging nettle is a well-known remedy for chronic prostatitis. For hundreds of years, herbal medicine has made use of nettle root extract, particularly for its anti-inflammatory abilities. For some time now, it has been known to block the action of certain hormones that might be responsible for making the prostate larger and more inflamed. Nettle root appears to be helping with urinary symptoms, and some studies say it may help relieve pain associated with chronic prostatitis.
Pygeum Bark: An African Plum Tree Extract
Pygeum bark comes from the African plum tree and has been used for ages to help with prostate problems, like chronic prostatitis. It is known to have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory stuff that are good for the urinary system. Scientists have looked into how Pygeum africanum extract helps with BPH and prostatic adenoma. They've done studies to see if it eases urinary symptoms, slows prostate growth, and boosts bladder function, and these studies show it might be a natural way to ease chronic prostatitis symptoms.
Quercetin: A Potent Antioxidant for Prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis can really mess up a man's life, but natural remedies like quercetin, which is a strong antioxidant found in plants, might help. Research shows quercetin can fight inflammation and is great for men with chronic prostatitis since it can lessen pain and discomfort. Quercetin also fights oxidative stress, which is linked to prostatitis. Men with this condition have more oxidative markers in their semen, making quercetin a key player in managing prostatitis. Quercetin, therefore, is a natural way to ease symptoms caused by both inflammation and oxidative stress in prostatitis.
Pumpkin Seed Oil and Zinc: Essential Nutrients
Some nutrients, like pumpkin seed oil and zinc, are being studied for prostate health. Pumpkin seed oil is full of healthy fats and antioxidants. It might help lower inflammation. Studies show pumpkin seed oil can help with BPH symptoms. Pumpkin seeds are also a good zinc source, offering almost half the daily amount in one cup. Zinc is key for prostate function and can be found in foods or supplements. Tissues from prostate cancer and BPH have less zinc than healthy tissue. Pumpkin seed oil and zinc can also improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This might lower heart disease and type 2 diabetes risks. Zinc also helps with energy, blood pressure, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Green Tea: A Potential Prostate Protector
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has been researched concerning its potential to promote prostate health. Its principal claim to fame is fighting prostate cancer, but it might have other benefits for men’s health, too. It might help with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and chronic prostatitis. Green tea contains compounds like epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that have some of the best anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties out there. While many herbs that are beneficial for prostate health also possess anti-inflammatory properties, the anti-inflammatory ability of EGCG gives green tea a leg up on other herbal remedies when it comes to prostate health.
Tumeric: A Spice Laden with Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties
Turmeric, a common cooking spice and relative of ginger, could have immense health benefits, especially for prostatitis. Its active ingredient is curcumin, which is very potent and quite unique as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound. Many studies of curcumin show that it works by directly inhibiting several key enzymes that are much elevated and highly active in numerous inflammatory conditions and their related swelling, such as COX-2 and lipoxygenase (LOX). This property means turmeric is effective and safe for men, without any serious risks or side effects — as are common with over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatories.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes for Prostate Health
There are a lot of ways to support prostate health, and herbal remedies are only one of them. Making dietary changes and adjusting our lifestyles can also help. Scientists believe that eating certain kinds of food and avoiding others can reduce inflammation and improve prostate function and that we might do a lot for the prostate by eating right.
Foods to Eat and Avoid for Prostate Health
Eating for prostate health isn't much different from eating for overall health. The good news is that the same diet that benefits your prostate is cardiovascular-friendly, too. And because heart disease and prostate issues share many of the same risk factors, what's good for your heart is also good for your prostate.
A diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats is good for you. Make sure you have a portion of both cooked and raw vegetables every day. Choose a great variety and include plenty of the following cancer-fighting and inflammation-fighting powerhouse veggies: greens (collards, mustard greens, kale), crucifers (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts), and alliums (onions, garlic, leeks). Also, include whole grains in your diet. Options that are very low on the glycemic index, like quinoa and amaranth, are particularly good.
These foods have the nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants that reduce inflammation and keep the prostate symptom-free. What you do not want to eat is a lot of saturated fat, red meat, and processed foods. They're bad because they have "pro-inflammatory" nutrients and not enough of the good stuff to make up for them.
Conclusion
Chronic prostatitis is a difficult condition to treat, but for those looking for natural kinds of relief, herbal supplements might be a good option. Several kinds of herbs have shown promise in terms of their anti-inflammatory, hormonal, and antioxidant effects, and some of the more popular ones (like saw palmetto, pygeum, nettle root, turmeric, and green tea) are quite safe to take. The difficulty lies in the fact that some herbal medicines can interact unfavorably with prescription and other over-the-counter medications, especially those taken for conventional chronic prostatitis treatment.
Adding to the overall confusion is the fact that some studies have shown benefits for using these herbs, while others have found no effect. Still, until research provides us with more clarity, it seems reasonable to combine the kinds of medicinal herbs, that are safe to take, with lifestyle changes and the dietary modifications mentioned above. However, it is always important to speak to a healthcare professional before adding any of these approaches to your prostatitis treatment plan.
Bio for Tichafa Rixon Mujuru
Tichafa Rixon Mujuru is a seasoned researcher on complementary and traditional alternative medicine, including organic dietary supplements, and herbal medicine. While his research work covers a wide spectrum of diseases, he has a particular fascination with prostate cancer because, over the last 20 years, he lost his father and 2 uncles (his father's brothers) to the disease. He, himself, has recently been diagnosed with prostatitis and prostate enlargement. This has led him to research extensively on prostate health issues. He publishes his work at TribeNutro Organic & Natural
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