Urolog. pro Praxi, 2006; 5: 220-225

THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYTOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

MUDr. Zbyněk Veselský Ph.D

Urocentrum Praha, s.r.o

Phytotherapy – treatment with standardized, large-scale produced preparations from herbal drugs – is the oldest type of treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is based on experience and knowledge which are sometimes verified empirically rather than being clearly evidenced by aetiopathogenic action. It accounts for some 20 % of the treatment of BPH both in controlled and free market. The most common herbal drug is Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) which is contained in the greatest number of preparations. The second most common is Pygeum africanum (African plum). The other drugs are represented only in small numbers (one worth mention is stinging nettle – Urtica dioica); they dominate the market with parapharmaceuticals (pumpkin oil, etc.).

The pharmacological action of herbal drugs is complex. They contain a number of substances which, if in sufficient concentration, may improve lower urinary tract symptoms in themselves. According to some, administration of phytopharmaceuticals in the first year of treatment is as effective as the therapy with alpha-inhibitors, others, however, underevalue this treatment and refer to it as popular healing practice („A drug with no undesirable effects may not even have any desirable ones.“).

Keywords: Key words: phytotherapy, benign prostatic hyperplasia, Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum.

Published: January 1, 2007  Show citation