Herbal Treatments for Prostate Problems

Depending on what you and your healthcare practitioner discuss, some herbal remedies might be more helpful than certain medications. Shutterstock

Men are notoriously leery of doctors, especially when it comes to “sensitive” topics like the prostate. So when over-the-counter herbal products claim to “promote prostate health,” many men will listen. Over two million men in the United States use saw palmetto for prostate problems, an herb that, among other things, has the reputation of easing the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH). Thousands of men have also sought out herbal remedies for prostate cancer.

Here’s a look at the latest information on these herbal prostate remedies.

Saw Palmetto

This herb, derived from the berry of the American dwarf palm tree, has been used to treat prostate problems since the 1800s. Today, saw palmetto is especially popular among men who experience the weak urine flow and frequent urination symptomatic of an enlarged prostate. According to a survey in Consumer Reports, more than half of all men who tried the remedy said it eased their symptoms “a lot” or “somewhat.”