Plant Comparison
Pygeum vs Raspberry Leaf
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Pygeum and Raspberry Leaf: both belong to the Rosaceae family; they share 1 indicated use (skin irritation).
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Pygeum | Raspberry Leaf | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 6/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Pharmacological Actions
Astringent for mild diarrhoea (tannins)
Astringent for menstrual cramps (traditional); Astringent for mild diarrhoea (tannins)
Traditional uterine tonic taken in late pregnancy to tone the uterus and support labour - one small double-blind RCT found a shorter second stage of labour and fewer forceps deliveries (no effect on the first stage), alongside observational signals; robust proof is still lacking
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - a Cochrane meta-analysis of 18 RCTs (1562 men) found a moderate improvement in urinary symptoms and flow versus placebo, but the trials were small, short and methodologically weak, so the evidence remains uncertain
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - a Cochrane meta-analysis of 18 RCTs (1562 men) found a moderate improvement in urinary symptoms and flow versus placebo, but the trials were small, short and methodologically weak, so the evidence remains uncertain
Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - a Cochrane meta-analysis of 18 RCTs (1562 men) found a moderate improvement in urinary symptoms and flow versus placebo, but the trials were small, short and methodologically weak, so the evidence remains uncertain
Astringent for menstrual cramps (traditional)
inferred from emmenagogue action
inferred from astringent action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Lower urinary tract / prostate symptoms must be medically assessed first to exclude prostate cancer. The evidence is mixed and rests on small, short, methodologically weak trials, so men with moderate or severe BPH should not rely on it instead of proven treatment.
Generally well tolerated, with mild gastrointestinal effects the most common report.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Evergreen tree (Rosaceae), 10-30 m tall, with dark, fissured, red-brown bark (the source of the common name 'red stinkwood', from its unpleasant smell when cut). Leaves are glossy dark green, leathery, oblong with finely toothed margins. Small white, five-petalled flowers are borne in axillary racemes, followed by small reddish-brown, two-lobed fruit.
Deciduous, thicket-forming shrub (Rosaceae), 1-2 m tall, with upright, prickly, biennial canes (vegetative in the first year, fruiting in the second). Leaves are pinnate with 3-7 toothed leaflets, whitish-felted beneath. Small white, five-petalled flowers are followed by the aggregate red raspberry fruit, a cluster of drupelets.[2]
Habitat
Native to montane forests of central and southern Africa (and Madagascar), growing at moderate to high altitude (roughly 900-3400 m). The species is CITES-listed and conservation-threatened owing to over-harvesting of bark for the pharmaceutical trade.
Native to Europe and northern Asia, widely cultivated as a fruit crop and naturalised on woodland edges, hedgerows and disturbed ground in temperate regions.[2]
Harvesting
Bark is traditionally stripped from mature trees. Unsustainable stripping - especially removing bark all the way round the trunk - kills the tree and has driven population decline, so sustainable, partial and rotational bark harvesting or cultivated sources are recommended.
Leaves are picked fresh during the growing season - before or during flowering is considered optimal - and dried; fruit is picked when fully ripe in summer.[2]
Traditional Uses
Prunus africana bark has a traditional use in East and Central African ethnomedicine for urinary complaints, and its extract (marketed as Pygeum) became one of the most widely used European phytotherapy remedies for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms in the 20th century. Clinical evidence for symptom benefit is moderate but drawn from small, methodologically weak trials.[11]
Raspberry leaf has a long, very widely known folk tradition as a 'pregnancy tea', taken in the final weeks of pregnancy as a uterine tonic to prepare for labour. Observational studies and a small randomised controlled trial suggest a possible modest effect on labour duration, though robust proof is still lacking.[1, 13]
Preparations
Dosage
Clinical trials have most often used around 100-200 mg/day of standardised lipophilic bark extract, divided into two doses. Educational reference only, not a prescription; any prostate or urinary symptom should be medically assessed first.
Popular guidance and observational studies generally describe starting raspberry-leaf tea or tablets in the last few weeks of pregnancy, at roughly 1-3 cups of tea daily; use should be discussed with a midwife or doctor given the lack of robust trial evidence. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Thompson, R.Q., Katz, D. and Sheehan, B (2019) 'Chemical comparison of Prunus africana bark and pygeum products marketed for prostate health', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 163, pp. 162-169. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2018.10.004 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2018.10.004 - Dvorkin, L. and Song, K.Y (2002) 'Herbs for benign prostatic hyperplasia', The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 36(9), pp. 1443-1452. doi:10.1345/aph.1A228 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.1A228 - Keehn, A. and Lowe, F.C (2015) 'Complementary and alternative medications for benign prostatic hyperplasia', The Canadian Journal of Urology, 22(Suppl 1), pp. 18-23. Meta-analysis / review
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Complementary%20and%20alternative%20medications%20for%20benign%20prostatic%20hyperplasia - Kim, T.H., Lim, H.J., Kim, M.S. and Lee, M.S (2012) 'Dietary supplements for benign prostatic hyperplasia: an overview of systematic reviews', Maturitas, 73(3), pp. 180-185. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.07.007 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.07.007 - Cambronero, J., Osca-Garcia, J.M., Merino-Salas, S., Miguel, J.M. and others (2022) 'Effectiveness of treatment with Pygeum africanum in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia: a cross-sectional study in the real-world clinical practice in Spain (The PROFIT Study)', Archivos Espanoles de Urologia, 75(3), pp. 219-227. Clinical study
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Effectiveness%20of%20treatment%20with%20Pygeum%20africanum%20in%20patients%20with%20lower%20urinary%20tract%20symptoms%20and%20benign%20prostatic%20hyperplasia%3A%20a%20cross-sectional%20study%20in%20the%20real-world%20clinical%20practice%20in%20Spain%20%28The%20PROFIT%20Study%29 - Quiles, M.T., Arbos, M.A., Fraga, A., de Torres, I.M. and others (2010) 'Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of the herbal agent Pygeum africanum on cultured prostate stromal cells from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)', The Prostate, 70(10), pp. 1044-1053. doi:10.1002/pros.21138 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pros.21138 - Salinas-Casado, J., Esteban-Fuertes, M., Carballido-Rodriguez, J. and Cozar-Olmo, J.M (2020) 'Review of the experience and evidence of Pygeum africanum in urological practice', Actas Urologicas Espanolas, 44(1), pp. 9-13. doi:10.1016/j.acuro.2019.08.002 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acuro.2019.08.002 - Villar, A., Silva-Fuentes, F., Mula, A. and Zangara, A (2024) 'Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Prunus africana Bark Extract: An In Vitro Study of Cytokine Release by Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(15), pp. 8298. doi:10.3390/ijms25158298 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158298 - Larre, S., Camparo, P., Comperat, E., Boulbes, D. and others (2012) 'Biological effect of human serum collected before and after oral intake of Pygeum africanum on various benign prostate cell cultures', Asian Journal of Andrology, 14(3), pp. 499-504. doi:10.1038/aja.2011.132 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/aja.2011.132 - Rubegeta, E., Makolo, F., Kamatou, G., Enslin, G. and others (2023) 'The African cherry: A review of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 305, pp. 116004. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.116004 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.116004 - Keehn, A. and Lowe, F.C (2015) 'Complementary and alternative medications for benign prostatic hyperplasia', The Canadian Journal of Urology. Randomized trial
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Complementary%20and%20alternative%20medications%20for%20benign%20prostatic%20hyperplasia - Dedhia, R.C. and McVary, K.T (2008) 'Phytotherapy for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia', The Journal of Urology, 179(6), pp. 2119--2125. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2008.01.094 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2008.01.094 - Wilt, T. and Ishani, A. and Mac Donald, R. and Rutks, I. and Stark, G (2002) 'Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001044 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001044
- Bowman, R.L., Taylor, J. and Davis, D.L (2024) 'Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) use in pregnancy: a prospective observational study', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04465-7 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04465-7 - Mostafa, H.S. and others (2020) 'Phenolic Composition, Mineral Content, and Beneficial Bioactivities of Leaf Extracts from Black Currant (Ribes nigrum L.), Raspberry (Rubus idaeus), and Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa)', Nutrients, 12(2), pp. 463. doi:10.3390/nu12020463 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020463 - Bijak, M., Saluk-Bijak, J. and others (2016) 'The influence of Rubus idaeus and Rubus caesius leaf extracts on platelet aggregation in whole blood. Cross-talk of platelets and neutrophils', Platelets, 27(5), pp. 433-439. doi:10.3109/09537104.2015.1131254 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3109/09537104.2015.1131254 - Valdes, M. and others (2022) 'Rubus idaeus extract improves symptoms in knee osteoarthritis patients: results from a phase II double-blind randomized controlled trial', BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23(1), pp. 650. doi:10.1186/s12891-022-05612-2 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05612-2 - Campos, P.M. and others (2020) 'Anti-aging and brightening effects of a topical treatment containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract: A split-face, randomized controlled trial', Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(3), pp. 671-676. doi:10.1111/jocd.13305 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13305 - Bednarski, M. and others (2014) 'CD39/NTPDase-1 expression and activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells are differentially regulated by leaf extracts from Rubus caesius and Rubus idaeus', Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters, 19(2), pp. 291-304. doi:10.2478/s11658-014-0202-8 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2478/s11658-014-0202-8 - Rojas-Vera, J., Patel, A.V. and Dacke, C.G (2002) 'Relaxant activity of raspberry (Rubus idaeus) leaf extract in guinea-pig ileum in vitro', Phytotherapy Research, 16(7), pp. 665-668. doi:10.1002/ptr.1040 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1040 - Raudone, L. and others (2022) 'In Vitro Antioxidant and Prooxidant Activities of Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Stem Extracts', Molecules, 27(13), pp. 4073. doi:10.3390/molecules27134073 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27134073 - Cugnetto, M.L. and others (2015) 'An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells', International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 37(4), pp. 428-433. doi:10.1111/ics.12236 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12236 - Socha, M.W., Flis, W., Wartega, M., Szambelan, M., Pietrus, M. and Kazdepka-Zieminska, A (2023) 'Raspberry Leaves and Extracts-Molecular Mechanism of Action and Its Effectiveness on Human Cervical Ripening and the Induction of Labor', Nutrients, 15(14), pp. 3206. doi:10.3390/nu15143206 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143206 - Jianu, E.M., Pop, R.M., Gherman, L.M., Ranga, F., Levai, A.M., Rus, V., Bolboaca, S.D., Stefan, R.A., Onofrei, M.M., Nati, I.D., Stoia, I.A., Stefan, P.A., Mihu, C. and Mihu, C.M (2024) 'The Effect of Rubus idaeus Polyphenols Extract in Induced Endometriosis in Rats', Molecules, 29(4), pp. 778. doi:10.3390/molecules29040778 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29040778 - Cyboran-Mikolajczyk, S., Meczarska, K., Solarska-Sciuk, K., Ratajczak-Wielgomas, K., Oszmianski, J., Jencova, V. and Bonarska-Kujawa, D (2022) 'Protection of Erythrocytes and Microvascular Endothelial Cells against Oxidative Damage by Fragaria vesca L. and Rubus idaeus L. Leaves Extracts - The Mechanism of Action', Molecules, 27(18), pp. 5865. doi:10.3390/molecules27185865 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27185865 - Farnaghi, S. and Braniff, K (2022) 'Survey of Raspberry Leaf Tea in pregnancy', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. doi:10.1111/ajo.13496 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13496 - Simpson, M., Parsons, M., Greenwood, J. and Wade, K (2001) 'Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor', Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 46(2), pp. 51--59. doi:10.1016/s1526-9523(01)00095-2 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/s1526-9523(01)00095-2
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.