Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Pygeum
Prunus africana
This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 1 pharmacological action, 6 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Key Constituents
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →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
more plants for prostate support →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →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
more plants for urinary support →detailed sources →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
more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →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.
References
REF-1506, REF-1507, REF-1508, REF-1509, REF-1510, REF-1511, REF-1512, REF-1513, REF-1514, REF-1515References & 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
Find this source - 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
Find this source - 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
Find this source - 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
Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio