Pygeum

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Pygeum is a tree. The bark is used as medicine.

Pygeum is used for treating symptoms of enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) and prostate cancer. It is also used for inflammation, kidney disease, urinary problems, malaria, stomachache, fever, and to increase sexual desire.

How does it work?

Pygeum contains chemicals that help shrink the prostate to relieve urinary problems such as poor urine flow and nighttime urination in men with enlarged prostates.

Likely Effective for...

• Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Taking pygeum by mouth reduces symptoms of BPH such as low urine flow. However, taking a combination of pygeum and stinging nettle does not appear to improve symptom of BPH.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Inflammation.
• Kidney disease.
• Malaria.
• Stomachache.
• Fever.
• Sexual performance problems.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of pygeum for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Pygeum is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth appropriately. It can cause nausea and abdominal pain.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking pygeum if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 75-200 mg standardized lipophilic extract (14% triterpenes, 0.5% n-docosanol) of pygeum per day.