Herbs and ProstateLess Tonic

Prostate Gland Swelling Reduction

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. There are different forms of prostatitis, each with different causes and outcomes. Acute prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis are treated with herbal antibiotics; chronic non-bacterial prostatitis or male chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which comprises about 95% of prostatitis diagnoses, is treated with specific herbal medicines for prostate and herbs for the related symptoms; other modalities used include alpha blockers, physical therapy, psychotherapy, antihistamines, anxiolytics, nerve modulators and more. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occurs in older men; the prostate often enlarges to the point where urination becomes difficult. If the prostate grows too large it may constrict the urethra and impede the flow of urine, making urination difficult and painful and in extreme cases completely impossible. BPH can be treated with herbs, drugs or with surgery that removes part of the prostate. The surgery most often used in such cases is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP or TUR). In TURP, an instrument is inserted through the urethra to remove prostate tissue that is pressing against the upper part of the urethra and restricting the flow of urine. Older men often have corpora amylacea (amyloid), dense accumulations of calcified proteinaceous material, in the ducts of their prostate. The corpora amylacea may obstruct the lumens of the prostatic ducts, and may underlie some cases of BPH.

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Hi Alan.
Thanks for your reply regarding my partner taking the Prostateless tonic. He has upped the dose to 4 times pr day, and is starting to feel the benefits. Many thanks. DB
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Prostate Cancer Preventatives

Sexual activity. Regular ejaculations appear to provide a protective effect. Recently a study which followed nearly 30,000 men over eight years showed that those that ejaculated most frequently were significantly less likely to develop prostate cancer. The group with the highest lifetime average of ejaculations (21 times per month) were provided with the best protection as they were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer, compared to the reference group who ejaculated 4-7 times per month. To help with potency you can take our aphrodisiac herbal medicine Herbal V8 Tonic.
Research has shown that regular (“more than five times per week”[2]) masturbation can cut the risk of prostate cancer by up to 66%. This is because regular ejaculation reduces the buildup of carcinogenic deposits in sperm which can damage the cells lining the prostate. This also applies to frequent sexual intercourse although the risks associated with STD’s have been shown to increase risk of prostate cancer[3].
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting elderly men in developed countries and a major cause of death. Regular rectal exams are recommended for older men to detect prostate cancer early. Once the lining of the prostate is affected with cancer, the only known treatments are surgery and radiation therapy. Both may limit the ability to have erection afterwards.
Taking the multi-herbal ProstateLess Tonic on a low-dose long-term basis will help to keep the prostate healthy and help to protect against abnormal cellular development research has found (based on scientific studies of individual herbs traditionally used to prevent prostate cancer which are included in this herbal tonic supplied by Herbactive.co.uk)

Prostate disorders and treatments

The prostate gland is about the size and shape of a chestnut. It surrounds the urethra, directly below the bladder. This gland slowly grows in size until about 30 years of age (except at puberty when it has a rapid increase in size). After this its size remains the same until about 45 years of age when the gland begins to enlarge again. Prostate enlargement in older men, when not accompanied by malignant changes is described as benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is the most common benign tumour to affect men. By 60 years half of all men will suffer from BPH; by 85 years 90% of men suffer from BPH.
In a healthy young man 95% of androgens (mostly testosterone) are produced in the testicles, with 5% coming from the adrenals. Approx 98% of testosterone circulating in the bloodstream is technically unavailable as it is attached to proteins, predominantly a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). The remaining 2% is known as ‘free testosterone’ and it is this testosterone that produces almost all the physiological effects.

Andropause

In the aging male, testosterone levels gradually decline, oestrogen becomes more prominent and SHBG production increases. This can lead to a state technically now recognised as andropause. Unlike female menopause which occurs relatively rapidly over 5-10 years, male andropause occurs in a much more gradual way, beginning in the thirties. As decline does not result in complete deficiency, therefore ‘androgen decline in aging males’ (ADAM) is probably a more accurate descriptive term (Barker and Meletis 2004:61).
Castrated men do not develop BPH so it is concluded that BPH is an androgen-dependent disease. Although testosterone levels decrease as men age, they continue to produce and accumulate high levels of the particularly active form of testosterone in the prostate called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The prostate is oestrogen sensitive and thus the increased growth might be connected to the natural androgen reduction found in old age, which leaves the normally present oestrogen unopposed (Macfarlane et al 2000: 536).
Prolactin increases with age and research has shown that prolactin raises DHT levels in the prostate.

Causes and risk factors for BPH and prostate cancer

Uncertainty still surrounds the causes of BPH and prostate cancer. There is a genetic link: if you have a first degree relative who has had prostate cancer the risk for malignancy is twice that of the general population (Yance and Valentine 1999:340). Other possible risk factors are:
Vasectomy
History of sexually transmitted diseases
Multiple sexual partners and frequent sexual activity begun early in life
Sexual abstinence
Mother took pregnancy or growth hormones during the pregnancy
Frequent exposure to cadmium (welding, electroplating, battery making)
Athletes who use steroids

BPH: symptoms, signs and complications

Progressive urgency and frequency of urination with getting up at night to empty the bladder (nocturia). Urethra obstruction by the prostate causes bladder enlargement and results in incomplete bladder emptying, with urine stagnation predisposing to urinary tract infections. This may result in overflow incontinence or complete urine retention.
Controversy surrounds the exact causes of BPH and prostate cancer, with the long held belief that the main culprit is testosterone and its more active form DHT being now challenged in some quarters. Possible causes are many but some studies suggest it results from a hormonal imbalance resulting in an accumulation of oestrogen with the effects of testosterone and DHT only playing a secondary role. In fact some controversial treatments have actually involved giving testosterone hormone replacement to the aging male. This is obviously not without considerable risk but a more youthful hormone balance can be encouraged naturally and more safely by reducing the body’s oestrogen load e.g. by increasing phytoestrogen intake and avoiding xenoestrogens, losing weight and exercise etc.

Prostate Cancer: Signs and Symptoms

Possible warning signals include: pronounced nocturia (getting up often at night to empty the bladder), blood in the urine or semen, forked urine stream, pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs, anaemia, weight loss, prostate feels hard and nodular, and raised PSA.
Diagnosis of prostate cancer is by:
Digital rectal examination
Transrectal ultrasonography
Urinalysis
Cystoscopy and post voiding residual urine measurement
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test
If cancer is suspected: a prostate needle biopsy

PSA blood test

Currently, if the PSA reads over 4.1 nanograms per millilitre a biopsy will be recommenced. If the biopsy is positive, the decision will be made as to whether the tumour is severe enough to require treatment – usually surgery or radiation therapy (New Scientist 2406, 02-08-2003, 7).
The problem is that a PSA blood test is not specific, as both benign and malignant epithelial cells produce PSAs. The accuracy potential of PSA testing is increased by noting that PSAs can be differentiated as being either free or protein-bound
– high ratio free to protein-bound antigens indicates a benign condition
– high ratio bound indicates prostate malignancy.

Urine test

It has been found that the PCA3 gene is over-expressed in malignant prostate tissue and this can be noted in urine samples. This could provide a much more accurate and faster diagnostic procedure but further trials are still in progress to confirm these findings before this method will become widely available (Medical Research News 2005).

Treatments available

Prostate Cancer

A 2011 study at the University of California, Davis, found that Sanguinarine had a marked effect on prostate cancer as well. This was mainly through its effect on the protein surviving (see more about this below).
To treat this condition with herbs see our Herbactive tonics for this condition take ProstateLess Tonic. Also include Black Salve Strong Internal Tonic and HerbShield. Also recommended is the ABC Daily Herbal NutriPowder Plus.
Full article about the action of Bloodroot

There are many treatments available. Recent research supports the use of ultrasound to destroy prostate cancer cells as researchers suggest it is as effective as cutting the tumour out with surgery, but with far fewer side effects. It has been described as 80% successful at eradicating the cancer, a similar rate to surgery, but impotence was seen in only 40% of cases, about half as many as with surgery. Furthermore, incontinence was reported in just 8% of patients after their treatment, a threefold decrease (www. newscientist.com: 2004).
If malignancy of the prostate is diagnosed, then treatments can include radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy (both treatments carry a high risk for impotency and incontinence).

HERBACTIVE’S 14 Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations for Prostate Health

1. Reduce saturated animal fats (e.g. meat, meat fat and dairy products). High saturated fat diets have been linked to an increase in prostate cancer development. Meat is also a rich source of the amino acid trytophan, which has been found to increase prolactin levels in the body (Murray and Pizzorno 1998: 756).
2. Reduce cholesterol. Free radical damage caused by high cholesterol levels is thought to be particularly carcinogenic and toxic to the prostate (Murray and Pizzorno 1998: 756). See Cholesterol Herbal Tonic
3. Pumpkin seeds – high in zinc, important amino acids and essential fatty acids. (in the Balkan countries where large amounts of pumpkin seeds are traditionally eaten, low levels of prostate cancer have been recorded).
4. Zinc is an important mineral for prostate health as it inhibits 5-alpha reductase, androgen receptor binding and pituitary prolactin secretion body (Murray and Pizzorno 1998: 756).
5. Essential fatty acids. Adequate levels are needed by the body for maintaining the health of every living cell and for correct hormone production. Research has found that patients with BPH have less than average levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their blood, whilst patients with prostate cancer have significantly less omega 3 fatty acids in their blood (Nick 2004: 74).
6. Avoid constipation. One tablespoon of linseed with breakfast, on muesli, porridge etc or added to a glass of water. Linseeds also contain essential fatty acids and to release them they need to be crushed using a coffee grinder. Increasing the intake of natural fibre in the form of fresh fruit and vegetable will help prevent any constipation and will improve the health of the colon. This latter point is very important considering the close proximity of the prostate to the colon and the fact that malignant cells most often develop in the region of the prostate closest to the rectum. You can take the ABC Daily Powder or one of our MoveMore tonics for bowel regulation.
7. Repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria. Systemic overgrowth of candida albicans is often associated with prostate problems. The intake of one to ten million Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bactobacillus bifidum is recommended for 2-3 weeks following any internal antibiotic use. See also our ThrushLess Tonic.
8. Restrict alcohol, especially beer. Hops in beer are implicated in raising the body’s prolactin levels and research has shown that any high alcohol consumption is associated with increased BPH development body (Murray and Pizzorno 1998: 756). If you have alcohol problems you can take our herbal medicine to help you get over alcohol addiction.
9. Drink enough fluids. Due to urination difficulties, some BPH sufferers restrict fluid intake. This can cause dehydration and encourage the development of bladder infections. Therefore fluid intake needs to be encouraged but it is recommended that most fluids should be consumed during the day to avoid worsening nocturia. ProstateLess Tonic improves bladder control; or you can try WaterLess Tonic.
10. Vitamin D from sunlight. Maintain adequate regular exposure to natural sunlight as it is linked to reduced prostate cancer incidences. The use of vitamin supplementation D may be useful (Cancer Research vol 65, p.5470 – New Scientist).
11. Avoid decongestants; antihistamines and antidepressants whenever possible as they can exacerbate the symptoms of urine obstruction (Thomas 1998:5). If you have to take such sprays or drugs like prozac you might want to try our HayFever Tonic or DepressionLess Tonic.
12. Increase exercise, especially to the pelvic region (e.g. pelvic floor exercises, dancing, fast walking, swimming), and wear loose cotton boxer shorts. These measures all increase blood flow to the prostate and encourage its health by allowing proper nutrients to the cells and removal of toxins. Exercise also helps to maintain more youthful testosterone levels. One study, using just a moderate amount of exercise, found that testosterone levels in the male subjects increased by 39% (Barker and Meletis 2004:63).
13. Reduce excess weight. Peripheral oestrogen levels are high in obese men because peripheral aromatisation (the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen under the influence of the enzyme aromatase) occurs mostly in fatty tissue (Sciarra and Toscano 2000:214). To help you lose weight try our WeightLess Tonic, taken with the 600 Calorie Diet (600cals on two consecutive days per week, every week).
14. Reduce stress levels. Researchers examined the PSA tests of 318 men and they found that men with high levels of stress were three times more likely to have abnormal PSA tests than men with low levels of stress (Waznicki 199:1). Animal studies have demonstrated that both long and short-term stress reduces blood flow to the prostate (Thomas 1988:4). Help lower your stress and worry with our WorryLess Tonic.

Prostate health in babies

Caution with contraceptive and morning-after pill. A recent study on mice indicates that oestrogen-like chemicals commonly found in oral contraceptives could deform the prostate gland of embryos. This is a concern as prostate deformities have been linked to prostate cancer and bladder disease in later life. Up to 3% of women taking oral contraceptive drugs become pregnant without their knowledge, and continue exposing the foetus to the contraceptive drug many months into pregnancy (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (DOI:10.1073/pnas.0502544102)).

Three Important Herbs for BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

1. Pygeum
Pygeum is a herbal medicine from the bark Pygeum africanum (Pygeum, African Pygeum, African Cherry Tree, bark [the tincture smells just like sloes – Alan Hopking]). Primary actions of Pygeum: prostatitis, BPH (enlarged prostate gland), antiinflammatory for kidney, bladder and prostate, improves urine flow, reduces hesitancy (see also IncoLess Tonic), improves prostate function, improves sexual function (Pygeum is included in the Herbal V8 sexual enhancing tonic), improves hair growth in men (and women). Used with Saw Palmetto and Nettle Root. It is significant that in France, Pygeum africanum extract (PAE) has become the primary course of treatment for enlarged prostate.
Constituents: Pygeum bark contains numerous beneficial constituents, including phytosterols such as beta-sitosterols, which exhibit anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins in the prostate. Other pygeum components include ferulic esters, which reduce levels of prolactin (a hormone that promotes testosterone uptake in the prostate gland), and pentacyclic triterpenes, which inhibit an enzyme involved in inflammation and help reduce edema. Scientists believe that these phytochemicals work together to help counteract the structural and biochemical changes associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
General discussion
It is used to alleviate some of the discomfort caused by inflammation in patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). It is used commonly in its natural forms in traditional African medicine. Powdered pygeum bark is used by Africans to treat urinary and prostatic problems. Pygeum has been used to improve symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy and to improve sexual function. With the exception of France, surgery is the main option in other Western countries. Drugs used to alleviate symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) include anticholinergics, muscle relaxants, calcium antagonists, prostaglandin inhibitors, beta-agonists, tricyclic antidepressants, and alpha blockers. Pygeum also is therapeutic as an anti-inflammatory, to increase prostatic secretions and to decrease certain hormones in the glandular area, which reduces the hypertrophy (swelling). Other actions of pygeum include increase in bladder elasticity and cell modifications. Pygeum’s “phyto-estrogenic” action markedly reduces prostatic hypertrophy. Most trial results report improvement of BPH symptoms. When compared with saw palmetto in a clinical trial, it was demonstrated that saw palmetto produced greater reduction of symptoms and was better tolerated. However, PAE may have greater effects on prostate secretion. Pygeum improves sexual function. Pygeum clinical trials (mostly European) are encouraging.
Herbactive makes Pygeum extract as a tincture and includes it in medicines for Prostate and ProstateLess Tonic. It is also included in hair tonics as it has been found to improve hair growth in both men and women. It is also included in Herbactive HerbalV8 Tonic (for impotent men, to improve sexual performance).
References: Pygeum. Review of Natural Products. factsandcomparisons4.0 [online]. 2005. Available from Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Accessed April 19, 2007.
Pygeum (P. africanum bark extract) has been observed to moderately improve urinary symptoms associated with enlargement of the prostate gland or prostate inflammation. Numerous human studies report that pygeum significantly reduces urinary hesitancy, urinary frequency, the number of times patients need to wake up at night to urinate, and pain with urination in men who experience mild-to-moderate symptoms.
More about Pygeum
The African cherry tree, Pygeum africanum, is an evergreen found at higher elevations across Africa. Its medicinal use dates to the 1700s, when tribes in southern Africa taught early explorers how to use the tree’s bark to treat bladder discomfort.1 Pygeum extract has been used in Europe to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia since the 1960s, and is currently the most commonly used therapeutic for this condition in France.2
Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects approximately 50% of men aged 51-60, and up to 90% of men over the age of 80. This condition causes the prostate gland to enlarge, constricting the urethra and making it difficult for the bladder to empty. Symptoms include reduced urine stream, frequent urination (especially at night), urinary urgency, leaking, and urinary retention. Severe benign prostatic hyperplasia can have serious long-term health effects, such as urinary tract infection, bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, pain during sexual intercourse, and incontinence. Therapies to treat this condition include pharmaceutical drugs such as Proscar®, Hytrin®, and Flomax®, as well as non-surgical and surgical options. However, all of these remedies have associated side effects. Clinical studies suggest that pygeum bark extract is effective in reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, with few side effects.3,4
Benign prostatic hyperplasia’s cause is not fully known or understood. One study shows that the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone via the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase contributes to prostate enlargement.5 In addition, as men age, they often experience an increase in levels of estrogen relative to testosterone, indicating that estrogen may be involved in the development of this condition. In one study, extracts of pygeum and nettle root partially blocked the action of two enzymes, aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase, that are involved in the production of estrogen and dihydrotestosterone, respectively. Pygeum showed much higher efficacy at lower doses than did nettle root, but the combination of both herbs was significantly more effective than either alone in blocking the aromatase enzyme.6
How Does Pygeum Work?
Pygeum may help to prevent the overgrowth of prostate cells that can contribute to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Research suggests that pygeum may do this by inhibiting basic fibroblast growth factor, a signaling biochemical involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia.8 In a laboratory study, pygeum extract demonstrated an anti-proliferative effect on prostate cells derived from rats, which was in part mediated by inhibition of basic fibroblast growth factor.9
Enlargement of the prostate gland can obstruct bladder emptying, which can lead to cellular and functional changes in the bladder tissue. Studies of rabbits suggest that pre-treatment with pygeum helps to protect the bladder from developing contractile and biochemical dysfunctions induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction, possibly by protecting the bladder from ischemic injury. The investigators suggest that pygeum may work in both rabbits and humans to protect the bladder’s smooth muscle against cellular damage induced by obstructed flow.
Clinical trials of Pygeum
Clinical trials suggest that pygeum can safely and effectively help to reduce the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In a multicenter trial in Europe, 85 men with mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia were given pygeum twice daily for two months. The study participants demonstrated a 40% decrease in the International Prostate Symptom Score, a subjective assessment of the severity of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Furthermore, the pygeum-supplemented men reported a 32% decrease in frequency of nocturnal urination (nocturia) and a 31% improvement in quality of life. After the supplementation with pygeum ended, the patients were followed for one additional month. The benefits derived from the pygeum therapy continued even during this period without treatment, indicating a lasting therapeutic effect.12 In a larger placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 263 men received either 100 mg of pygeum or placebo daily for 60 days. The pygeum group demonstrated a 17.2% improvement in urinary flow, a 24.5% decrease in residual bladder volume, a 31% decrease in nocturia, and a 19.4% decrease in daytime urinary frequency. Overall, 66% of the pygeum group reported improvement, compared to only 31% of the placebo group. According to two separate literature reviews, pygeum extract demonstrates statistically significant benefits for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The more recent review, conducted in 2000, analyzed studies dating from 1966 to 2000. In 18 randomized trials involving 1,562 men, pygeum provided significant improvement in combined outcome of urological symptoms and flow measures. Furthermore, men taking pygeum reported twice as much improvement in overall symptoms.3 An earlier literature review published in 1995 examined 12 clinical, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies, in which 358 patients received pygeum and 359 received placebo. Again, those consuming pygeum demonstrated statistically significant benefits compared to those receiving placebo.4
Additional Benefits of Pygeum
1. Prostatitis. Pygeum has also been used to treat inflammation of the prostate, or prostatitis. Prostatitis can occur due to infectious or non-infectious causes, and may cause symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, or pain. In a clinical trial, 47 patients with chronic prostatitis received 100 mg of pygeum daily for five to seven weeks. Eighty-nine percent reported a complete remission of symptoms.
2. Sexual dysfunction. In another study, men with sexual dysfunction due to either benign prostatic hyperplasia or chronic prostatitis received pygeum either alone or with anti-biotics. The men receiving pygeum bark extract experienced improved sexual function, even though there were no significant differences between hormone levels or nocturnal penile rigidity before and after therapy. Based on their findings, the researchers believe that pygeum may be beneficial to patients with sexual or reproductive dysfunction.
3. Hair growth. There is evidence that pygeum improves hair growth in men and women.

2. Saw Palmetto berries (Serenoa serrulata or S. repens)
Currently Saw Palmetto is principally associated with the treatment of BPH but also has a generally supportive effect on the whole male reproductive system. Main active ingredients are found in its lipid content: free fatty acids (including lauric, myristic and loeic acids), together with triglycerides, diglycerides and monoglyycerides, phytosterols (mainly beta sitosterol) and fatty alcohols. Also contains flavonoids and polysaccharides.
A very active lipase during ripening and drying of the fruit causes splitting of the triglycerides into free fatty acids. This gives the berries their characteristic rancid odour and taste which according to Mills and Bone (2000:524), may account for the occasional digestive upsets reported from Serenoa usage.
Actions: inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone into its more potent form: DHT. It is also thought to inhibit DHT from binding to the prostate androgen receptors. This inhibitory effect on 5-alpha-reductase is 5,600-40,000 times weaker than that produces by the drug Finasteride. The Serenoa extract is normally given in doses 100 times greater than those used with Finasteride, meaning clinical potency is actually only approximately 60 times weaker (Mills and Bone 2000:534-5).
Inhibition of oestrogen and prolactin. Animal studies have demonstrated serenoa’s sitosterol glycosides as having oestrogenic effects, but a more recent study has reversed this view, and it is now thought Serenoa actually inhibits oestrogen. There is some evidence that Serenoa also inhibits prolactin, another hormone connected with prostate growth stimulation (Bone 1998:17).
Spasmolytic activity. A study on rat bladder, aorta and uterus, demonstrated that a liposterolic extract of Serenoa resulted in spasmolytic activity. According to Bone (1988:16) this and other trials have indicated this action results from ‘alpha-adrenoceptor and calcium blocking activities’.
Anti-oedematous and anti-inflammatory actions have been demonstrated through research trials, with the latter action being shown to result from inhibition of cyclo-oxgenase and 5-lipoxygenase (Mills and Bone 2000:526).
Serenoa was previously thought to only relieve the signs and symptoms of BPH, but recent research indicates it can also reduce the size of prostate epithelial tissue (Overmyer 2000:1).
Numerous clinical trials have been conducted on the efficacy and safety of Serenoa. The general consensus of these trials is that Serenoa impr9ves urological symptoms and flow measures and is comparable to finasteride in effectiveness, but produces fewer adverse effects.
Side effects. No contraindications, cautions or known adverse drug interactions are given by the German Commission E. the only side effect noted, was that in rare cases mild gastrointestinal upsets had been reported (Blumenthal et al 2000:338).
The standardised extract used for 3 months or more is associated with inhibited libido in male patients, whereas it has been noted that this adverse effect is not found when the tincture of Serenoa is used.
It is recommended that the tincture is used for best effect.

3. Stinging Nettle root (Urtica dioica radix)
The root has been given Commission E approval for the treatment of BPH.
Actions. Aromatase inhibition. This enzyme mediates the conversion of androgens into oestrogens. It was found to weakly inhibited by the sterols and hydroxyl fatty acids (Konrad 1999:46).
Inhibition of Na+K+-ATPase in BPH tissue. Sterols such as 4-en-e-one stigmasterol and compesterol were found to inhibit Na+K+-ATPase in BPH tissue, an action which may cause suppression of prostate cell metabolism and growth (Hirano et al 1994:30).
Inhibition of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This has been attributed to the lignans. In the body SHBGs increase with age. As SHBGs bind more readily with androgens, this leaves a higher proportion of free oestrogen. In this active state, the oestrogen could bind with oestrogen receptors on the prostate, stimulating its growth (Rose 1998:1-2).
Inhibition of cell proliferation. The lignan, urtica dioica aggluginin (UDA) has been shown to have a direct inhibition of cell proliferation of HeLa cells (Konrad et al 2000:46).
Inhibition of cell proliferation and anti-inflammatory. Polysaccharides in an aqueous root extraction have been shown to produce anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity on prostate cells (Konrad 2000:46).
Konrad et al suggest that results obtained using Nettle root have been comparable to finasteride usage but they point out that the nettle extract demonstrated neither 5-alpha-reductase inhibition nor anti-androgen activity.
Safety. There are no known contraindications or drug interactions associated with Urtica.
Generally Urtica root appears to be a well-researched, effective and safe herb for the treatment of BPH and presumably would work well in combination with a 5-alpha-reductase inhibiting herb such as Serenoa, as the mode of action diffes and therefore the therapeutic approach will be broadened and complemented.
It has been found that the tincture of Urtica is the most convenient and effective for treatement as it is not subjected to heat whereby loss of constituents and action results. Combined with saw pulmetto and other prostate herbs in tencture form is recommended.

Other important herbs for prostate health
There are modern, advanced botanic medicines that are specific for the prostate gland health, along with supportive herbs to improve or act in synergy with other herbs in their action. Included are such herbs like Pygeum, Saw Palmetto and Nettle root (noted above), Willow Herb, Buchu, Uva Ursi, Couch Grass, Black Cohosh, Wild Carrot, Horsetail Herb, Gravel Root, Cleavers, Hydrangea, Juniper Berry, Mitchella, Propolis, Thuja, Red Clover, Corn Silk.

From the British Medical Journal (BMJ) April 2011
Screening does not reduce prostate cancer deaths
(Research: Randomised prostate cancer screening trial: 20 year follow-up)
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.d1539
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men worldwide. Screening is widely used in many countries, but remains controversial because experts can’t agree whether the benefits outweigh the potential harms and costs of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of healthy men.
Today’s findings are based on a trial started in Sweden in 1987 involving 9,026 men aged 50-69 years identified in the National Population Register. From this population, 1,494 men were randomly selected for screening every third year from 1987 to 1996. The remaining 7,532 men acted as controls. On the first two occasions, screening was done by digital rectal examination only. From 1993, this was combined with prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. On the fourth occasion (1996), only men aged 69 or under at the time of the investigation were invited. All men with cancer diagnosed up to December 31, 1999 were included in the analysis. Survival was followed until December 31, 2008. There were 85 cases (5.7%) of prostate cancer diagnosed in the screened group and 292 (3.9%) in the control group. The tumours in the screening group were smaller and more often localised than in the control group. Analysis did not show significantly longer survival or overall survival for men with prostate cancer in the screened group compared with the control group. And while screening and treating men with detected tumours might reduce deaths specifically from prostate cancer by up to a third (at best), this would be at considerable risk of worrying overdetection and unpleasant or harmful overtreatment. Indeed, a previous trial found that to prevent one death from prostate cancer, 1,410 men would need to be screened and 48 treated.
The authors believe that men should be fully informed about the potential hazards of treatment, and the psychological effects of false-positive test results, before they are screened. They also argue that the next goal for prostate screening should be to find ways of discriminating slow-growing (indolent) tumours from high risk tumours and to develop less aggressive treatment for indolent tumours, rather than to optimise sensitivity of the diagnostic tests.
“After 20 years of follow-up, the rate of death from prostate cancer did not differ significantly between men in the screening group and those in the control group,” they conclude. Results from randomised controlled trials of prostate cancer screening have been published in recent years, but none with 20 years of follow-up, they add. Long follow-up is necessary to draw definite conclusions about the benefits of screening.

Lithocholic acid and Prostate Cancer

There are over 20 chemcials in the body that can help slow the ageing process, but the most effective one is lithocholic acid. This is a bile acid produced in the liver. It has been found to kill breast, prostate and neuroblastoma cancer cells by interfering with the mitochondria in those cancer cells, reports Concordia University in Montreal.
To help improve the liver function and action Herbactive Advanced Botanical Centre of Medicine recommends taking the tonics LiverDetox and Liver Restorative Tonic.
To order these tonics click here.

Find out about herbal medicine for treatment of this condition

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Herbal Medicine for Preventing Cancer
The Immune System
Herbal Treatment vs Serious Disease

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