BPH - Phytotherapy And BHP

Introduction

Do you want to help your BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) or your enlarged prostate? Then you should look at using phytotherapy. It is easy and has been shown to help men like you with BPH.

What Is Phytotherapy

Phytotherapy is the study and use of natural extracts from natural origins or plant material to be used for promoting your health. It is also known in the Western world as alternative medicine.

Why it is called alternative medicine is a mystery to me since it was the primary medicine before Western medicine took over about 150 years ago. But in Europe some countries use phytotherapy as the initial treatment for men with urinary problems such as BPH.

What Is BPH

Almost 50% of men by the time they reach 60 years of age and 80% of men by the time they reach 80 years of age develops BPH or an enlarged prostate. It is the growth of your prostate that will squeeze your urinary tube causing you to develop urinary problems such as weak urine stream, dribbling, frequent urination and feeling of not completely draining your bladder.

Though these symptoms are not serious, the complications you can develop are serious. You can develop such complications as a damaged bladder, bladder stones, kidney damage or urinary tract infection. Some of these complications could require surgery and may decrease your quality of life.

For these reasons men should look at ways to stop their prostate from growing and to decrease its size.

Why Use Phytotherapy

There are several reasons to use phytotherapy to help treat your BPH.

• The use of phytotherapy is considered safe for use, but you should consult with your doctor to ensure any medicines you are using do not develop an adverse reaction.
• They are readily available at your local store.
• They are also inexpensive when compared to medicines prescribed by your doctor.

Concerns About Phytotherapy

If you are going to look at using phytotherapy, there are some concerns you should be aware of.

• Not many controlled studies have been done on these herbs and those studies that have been performed are inconclusive.
• The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate these herbs so the benefits of the herbs are not documented by controlled studies.
• Lack of FDA control can also lead to a variation in the actual amount you receive. These variations come from growing conditions and manufacturing variations.

Phytotherapy Herbs For BPH

One of the most popular herbs you can use to help you control BPH is saw palmetto. Several studies have been performed that are inconclusive. Some men saw a change in their symptoms from BPH while some saw no change at all. This is one of the most popular herbs prescribed in Europe today to help men with BPH.

Other phytotherapy herbs used to treat men with BPH are:

• African plum
• Pygeum africanum
• Harzol
• Tandenan

Jim Chase was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate when he was 56 and has done a lot of research to deal with this condition. To learn more about your prostate and how to keep yours healthy, visit http://www.squidoo.com/enlarged-prostate.