Herbs for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To review and evaluate the literature relative to the use of herbal therapies in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.


METHODS
Literature was identified by MEDLINE, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and the International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements searches and through cross-referencing of selected articles.


METHODS
All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated and all information deemed relevant was included in this review.


RESULTS
A large percentage of men >50 years old begin to experience signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Herbs hold promise in the treatment of BPH. Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, Urtica dioica radix, and Cucurbita peponis semen are some of the botanical therapies used in the treatment of BPH.


CONCLUSIONS
There are many European studies examining efficacy, dose, and adverse effects of these plants in the treatment of BPH. However, numerous questions remain. These include issues concerning long-term beneficial and adverse effects of herbal therapy, prevention of complications, standardization of extracts, and concomitant use with "mainstream" medications. Based on the information available today, these botanical therapies can be used for treatment of a number of objective and subjective symptoms in patients with BPH, stages I and II.
Center for Integrative Therapies in Pharmaceutical Care, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA 02115-5896, USA. Ldvorkin@mcp.edu
Lana
L
Dvorkin
Kathy Y
KY
Song
D028464:Cucurbita; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068218:Prunus africana; D028024:Serenoa; D026982:Urtica dioica