Prostate Disorders

Men’s health problems today are being aired more often than in the past and the most frequent health problem you will hear about is due to the humble prostate gland.

   The prostate is a walnut-sized male gland responsible for producing the fluid that mixes with semen to produce seminal fluid. It lies between the bladder and rectum, fitting snugly around the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder with the penis to allow the flow of urine to pass out of the body. Most prostate problems occur in men near or over the age of fifty in the form of a benign growth (which will put the squeeze on the urethra and obstruct urine flow). Also chronic inflammation of the prostate can cause prostatitis, which can be painful, and also cause urinary problems.

   A prostate inflammation, or prostatitis, can develop suddenly, causing severe problems, or else can develop in a slow and insignificant way. A severe infection usually follows a urinary tract infection. Fever and chills develop with lower-back pain and a strong need to urinate. The urine burns as it’s passed and blood or pus may be visible in the urine. Prostatitis also causes pain or discomfort in the rectum or nearby, with an urging to have a bowel movement. Acute prostate infections occur in men of all ages. When the inflammation develops slowly, there are few symptoms, little fever and only mild, local discomfort. In some cases, a chronic infection will cause painful ejaculation or erection.

   A sudden, acute infection of the prostate is usually caused by a bacterial infection, which has spread from another urinary tract infection. Acute infections can recur and become chronic if they are not properly treated.

   A number of herbal remedies can be used along with the antibiotics used by our doctor. Echinacea root tincture, 30-60 ml each day, plus Horsetail Juice, 1 tablespoon three times per day, and Plantain Juice, 1 tablespoon three times per day, will help the body clear the bacterial infection from the gland and prevent any recurrence.

   Benign enlargement of the prostate gland is known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH for short. Because an enlarged prostate can pinch off the flow of urine, BPH can be characterised by symptoms of bladder obstruction, such as increased urinary frequency, night-time awakening to empty the bladder (more than two times per night is considered abnormal) and reduced force and speed of flow of urination.

   BPH is an extremely common condition. Current estimates are that it affects over 50% of men during their lifetimes.

   To prevent BPH, start eating nuts and seeds, especially Pumpkin seeds, which contain large amounts of Zinc, and Fatty Acids, which inhibit the hormonal process that causes swelling of the prostate. Unrefined, cold-pressed nut and seed oils, like Flax Seed Oil, are excellent sources of essential Fatty Acids; they protect the prostate against prostate cancer - another major problem of the prostate gland. 

   To treat BPH, take Saw Palmetto berries. These specifically affect hormones so as to reduce the size of the prostate gland. Taken in combination with Damiana and Wheat-germ oil or Vitamin E, these berries will reduce the size of the prostate in about two to six weeks so that many of the symptoms will start to ease, and taken over 6 months, will often reduce the size of the prostate back to its normal size, thus preventing any need to use more drastic measures to ease this common problem.

David Foley

MNIMH, MRCHM

Medical Herbalist