The Phytochemistry of Pygeum Africanum
February 22nd, 2010 by admin
Pygeum africanum, a large evergreen tree of the rosaceae family, has been used for millennia in Africa as a treatment for bladder and urinary conditions, particularly those that are now known to be caused by enlargement of the prostate gland: symptoms of irregular urination, hesitancy while urinating, pain and frequent urination during the night that they could alleviate by drinking a tea made from the powdered bark of the Pygeum africanum.
The bark contains three substances that can help promote prostate health, namely beta-sitosterol, a phytosterol possessing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the levels of the inflammatory prostaglandins in the affected prostate, ursolic and oleanic acids, pentacyclic triterpenes that not only help to reduce the swelling of the prostate but also to improve the healing and development of the small blood vessels around the area, and also docosanol and tetracosanol, ferulic esters that rid the prostate of cholesterol deposits that can form during the condition.
These are three good explanations to account for the effect of Pygeum africanum on an enlarged prostate suffering the effects of BHP, and plausible reasons for its effectiveness in eliminating the pain and controlling the condition if not entirely curing it.
Pygeum can be found extract form at your local or internet health food store. Always look for name brands of pygeum to ensure quality and purity of the product you purchase.