Herbs and plantsAfrican plum tree bark — can a tree from Africa save the prostate?
Sources: 5 · Article: 6 946 characters
African plum tree bark is used for an enlarged prostate and problems with urination.
- The preparations are intended to limit the growth of fibroblasts in the prostate gland and relieve urinary symptoms.
- In treatments for an enlarged prostate, it is combined with other herbs, such as corn silk, nettle, or willowherb.
- Use is described as regular and lasting several months; the bark is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
Preparations made from the bark are used for an enlarged prostate, frequent urination, difficulty urinating due to prostatitis, and bedwetting.
„Preparations containing the lipophilic fraction of African plum tree bark are used to treat an enlarged prostate, frequent urination, urination disorders associated with prostatitis, and bedwetting. It also has a beneficial effect on urinary tract infections, although it is less often recommended for typical urological conditions, unjustly so.”Preparaty zawierające lipofilną frakcję z kory śliwy afrykańskiej są używane w leczeniu przerostu gruczołu krokowego, wielomoczu, zaburzeń mikcji w przebiegu zapalenia gruczołu krokowego, moczenia nocnego. Korzystnie działa również przy zapaleniu układu moczowego, choć jest rzadziej polecany w typowych schorzeniach urologicznych, choć niesłusznie.
Henryk Różański
The preparations are intended to relax the urinary tract and relieve frequent urination, urgency, and incomplete emptying of the lower urinary tract.
„They also have a relaxing effect and regulate the peristalsis of the urinary tract, thereby preventing unpleasant symptoms associated with frequent urination, urgency, and incomplete emptying of the lower urinary tract. The lipophilic extract of African plum tree bark contains approximately.”Wpływaja równiez rozkurczowo i regulują perystaltykę dróg moczowych, dzięki czemu zapobiegają przykrym objawom związanym z częstomoczem, parciem na mocz, niezupełnym opróżnieniem dolnych odcinków układu moczowego z moczu. Lipofilny wyciąg z kory śliwy afrykańskiej zawiera ok.
Henryk Różański
The extract is intended to inhibit the growth of fibroblasts in the prostate gland.
„The extract inhibits aromatase and 5α-reductase activity, although in some studies this effect was weak. It also inhibits the growth of fibroblasts in the prostate gland (an inhibitor of hyperplasia). It reduces blood vessel permeability (by blocking the effects of histamine) and inhibits 5-lipoxygenase, thereby reducing the release of leukotrienes.”Ekstrakt hamuje aktywność aromatazy i 5a-reduktazy, choć w niektórych badaniach efekt ten był słabo wyrażony. Powstrzymuje również rozrost fibroblastów w gruczole krokowym (inhibitor hiperplazji). Zmniejsza przepuszczalność naczyń krwionośnych blokowanie wpływu histaminy) oraz hamuje 5-lipoksygenazę, przez co redukuje uwalnianie leukotrienów.
Henryk Różański
Preparations made from the bark work when taken regularly for several months; the stated extract dose is 75–200 mg in divided doses.
„Doses according to the WHO Monographs, Geneva 2002, vol. II: 75–200 mg of lipidosterolic extract of the medicinal raw material, in divided doses. Milk improves the absorption of active constituents.
Preparations made from the plum tree bark work effectively when taken regularly for a longer period (several months).”Dawki wg Monografii WHO, Genewa 2002, vol II: 75-200mg lipidosterolowego wyciąg z surowca leczniczego, w dawkach podzielonych. Mleko polepsza przyswajanie skladników czynnych.
Preparaty z kory śliwy działają efektywnie przy dłuższym (wielomiesięcznym) i regularnym stosowaniu.
Henryk Różański
The bark should not be given during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or to children and adolescents.
„Contraindications: breastfeeding and pregnancy; do not give to children or adolescents, because the plant affects hormonal balance.
Doses according to the WHO Monographs, Geneva 2002, vol. II: 75–200 mg of lipidosterolic extract of the medicinal raw material, in divided doses. Milk improves the absorption of active constituents.”Przeciwwskazania: laktacja, ciąża; nie podawać dzieciom i młodzieży, bowiem roślina wpływa na gospodarkę hormonalną.
Dawki wg Monografii WHO, Genewa 2002, vol II: 75-200mg lipidosterolowego wyciąg z surowca leczniczego, w dawkach podzielonych. Mleko polepsza przyswajanie skladników czynnych.
Henryk Różański
In treatments for an enlarged prostate, the bark is combined, among other things, with corn silk, nettle, or willowherb.
„For fresh herb, I recommend a tincture—Tinctura Damianae: 1 part finely chopped fresh shoots/leaves to 5 parts warm alcohol at 40–50%; leave for 7 days or longer, then filter. Take 10 ml twice a day for 1 month.
In treatments for an enlarged prostate, combine it with corn silk, African plum tree bark, nettle rhizome, willowherb or fireweed herb, or impatiens herb.”Na świeżym zielu polecam nalewkę – Tinctura Damianae: 1 część świeżych rozdrobnionych pędów/liści na 5 części ciepłego alkoholu 40-50%; pozostawić 7 dni lub dłużej, przefiltrować. 10 ml 2 razy dziennie przez 1 miesiąc.
W kuracjach przeciwko przerostowi gruczołu krokowego łączyć ze znamionami kukurydzy, z korą śliwy afrykańskiej, z kłączem pokrzywy, z zielem wierzbówki lub wierzbownicy, albo z zielem niecierpka.
Henryk Różański
For an enlarged prostate, the bark can also be combined with alumroot and other herbs.
„For an enlarged prostate, combine with corn silk, African plum tree bark, bird cherry bark, willowherb/fireweed herb, and/or nettle rhizome. In cases of fragile blood vessels, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, inflammation of the choroid of the eye, or gingivitis, combine with vitamin C and linolenic/linoleic acid or oils rich in essential unsaturated fatty acids.”W przypadku przerostu gruczołu krokowego kojarzyć z znamieniem kukurydzy, korą śliwy afrykańskiej, korą czeremchy, z zielem wierzbówki/wierzbownicy i (lub) kłączem pokrzywy. W razie kruchości naczyń krwionośnych, nieżytu nosa, zapalenia spojówek, naczyniówki oka, zapalenia dziąseł – skojarzyć z witaminą C i kwasem linolenowym/linolowym lub olejami bogatymi w niezbędne nienasycone kwasy tłuszczowe.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 1 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 5.
In a study in mice, African plum tree bark extract was associated with a lower incidence of prostate cancer; this finding does not confirm effectiveness in humans or treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Aim of the study: Prostate cancer is an important public health problem. It is an excellent candidate disease for chemoprevention because prostate cancer is typically slow growing and is usually diagnosed in elderly males. Pygeum africanum (Prunus africana or Rosaceae) is an African prune (plum) tree found in tropical Africa.
Results: In tissue culture, ethanolic extracts (30%) of Pygeum africanum inhibited the growth of PC-3 and LNCaP cells; induced apoptosis and altered cell kinetics; down regulated ERalpha and PKC-alpha protein, and demonstrated good binding ability to both mouse uterine estrogen receptors and LNCaP human androgen receptors. TRAMP mice fed Pygeum africanum showed a significant reduction (P = 0.034) in prostate cancer incidence (35%) compared to casein fed mice (62.5%). Pygeum africanum, which is widely used in Europe and USA for treatment of BPH, has a significant role in regulation of prostate cancer both in vitro and in vivo and therefore may be a useful supplement for people at high risk for developing prostate cancer.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · NCCIH, NIH, HHS
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Traditionally living populations in East Africa have a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of 115 nmol/l. Br J Nutr. 2012;108(9):1557-61. 9. Marshall DT, Savage SJ, Garrett-Mayer E, Keane TE, Hollis BW, Host RL, Ambrose LH, Kindy MS, Gattoni-Celli S. Vitamin D3 supplementation at 4000 international units per day for one year results in a decrease of positive cores at repeat biopsy in subjects with low-risk prostate cancer under active surveillance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97(7):2315-24. 10.”Traditionally living populations in East Africa have a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of 115 nmol/l. Br J Nutr. 2012;108(9):1557-61. 9. Marshall DT, Savage SJ, Garrett-Mayer E, Keane TE, Hollis BW, Host RL, Ambrose LH, Kindy MS, Gattoni-Celli S. Vitamin D3 supplementation at 4000 international units per day for one year results in a decrease of positive cores at repeat biopsy in subjects with low-risk prostate cancer under active surveillance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97(7):2315-24. 10.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.