Pygeum: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Pygeum is the name for extracts, teas, and supplements that come from the bark of a tree native to Africa called Prunus africana.

Pygeum contains chemicals that help shrink the prostate in males with enlarged prostates. This might relieve urinary problems such as poor urine flow and nighttime urination.

People most commonly use pygeum for treating symptoms of enlarged prostate (BPH). It is also used for fever, malaria, kidney disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Likely Effective for

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Taking pygeum by mouth reduces symptoms of BPH such as low urine flow and the inability to fully empty the bladder when urinating.

There is interest in using pygeum for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Pygeum is likely safe for most people. Doses of 75-200 mg daily have been used safely for up to 12 months.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Pygeum is likely safe for most people. Doses of 75-200 mg daily have been used safely for up to 12 months.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if pygeum is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Pygeum overview.

Dosing

Pygeum has most often been used by adults in doses of 75-200 mg by mouth daily for up to 12 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Breza J, Dzurny O, Borowka A, et al. Efficacy and acceptability of tadenan (Pygeum africanum extract) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a multicentre trial in central Europe. Curr Med Res Opin 1998;14:127-39.

Dufour B, Choquenet C, Revol M, et al. Controlled study of the effects of Pygeum africanum extract on the functional symptoms of prostatic adenoma. Ann Urol (Paris) 1984;18:193-5.

Yablonsky F, Nicolas V, Riffaud JP, Bellamy F. Antiproliferative effect of Pygeum africanum extract on rat prostatic fibroblasts. J Urol 1997;157:2381-7.

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Chatelain C, Autet W, Brackman F. Comparison of once and twice daily dosage forms of Pygeum africanum extract in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind study, with long-term open label extension. Urology 1999;54:473-8.

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Choo, M. S., Bellamy, F., and Constantinou, C. E. Functional evaluation of Tadenan on micturition and experimental prostate growth induced with exogenous dihydrotestosterone. Urology 2000;55(2):292-298.

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Yoshimura, Y., Yamaguchi, O., Bellamy, F., and Constantinou, C. E. Effect of Pygeum africanum tadenan on micturition and prostate growth of the rat secondary to coadministered treatment and post-treatment with dihydrotestosterone. Urology 2003;61(2):474-478.

Melo, E. A., Bertero, E. B., Rios, L. A., and Mattos, D., Jr. Evaluating the efficiency of a combination of Pygeum africanum and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) extracts in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial. Int Braz.J Urol. 2002;28(5):418-425.

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Donkervoort, T., Sterling, A., van Ness, J., and Donker, P. J. A clinical and urodynamic study of tadenan in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Eur Urol. 1977;3(4):218-225.

Krzeski, T., Kazon, M., Borkowski, A., Witeska, A., and Kuczera, J. Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses. Clin Ther 1993;15(6):1011-1020.

Paubert-Braquet, M., Cave, A., Hocquemiller, R., Delacroix, D., Dupont, C., Hedef, N., and Borgeat, P. Effect of Pygeum africanum extract on A23187-stimulated production of lipoxygenase metabolites from human polymorphonuclear cells. J Lipid Mediat.Cell Signal. 1994;9(3):285-290.

Rhodes, L., Primka, R. L., Berman, C., Vergult, G., Gabriel, M., Pierre-Malice, M., and Gibelin, B. Comparison of finasteride (Proscar), a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, and various commercial plant extracts in in vitro and in vivo 5 alpha reductase inhibition. Prostate 1993;22(1):43-51.

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Levin, R. M., Riffaud, J. P., Bellamy, F., Rohrmann, D., Habib, M., Krasnopolsky, L., Zhao, Y., and Wein, A. J. Protective effect of Tadenan on bladder function secondary to partial outlet obstruction. J Urol. 1996;155(4):1466-1470.

Thieblot, L., Grizard, G., and Boucher, D. [Effect of V 1326 (active principle of Pygeum africanum bark extract) on hypophyseo-genito-adrenal axis in rats]. Therapie 1977;32(1):99-110.

Brackman F and Autet W. Once and twice daily dosage regimens of Pygeum africanum extract (PA): a double-blind study in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) [abstract]. J Urology 1999;161(4S):361.

Andro M and Riffaud J. Pygeum africanum extract for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a review of 25 years of published experience. Curr Ther Res 1995;56(8):796-817.

Paubert-Braquet M, Monboisse JC, Servant-Saez N, and et al. Inhibition of bFGF and EGF-induced proliferation of 3T3 fibroblasts by extract of Pygeum africanum (Tadenan). Biomed Pharmacother 1994;48(Suppl 1):43-47.

Choo M, Constantinou CE, and Bellamy F. Beneficial effects of Pygeum africanum extract (PA) on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induced modifications of micturition and prostate growth in rat [abstract]. J Urology 1999;161(4S):229.

Clavert A, Cranz C, Riffaud JP, and et al. [Effects of an extract of the bark of Pygeum africanum (V.1326) on prostatic secretions in the rat and in man]. Annales D'Urologie 1986;20(5):341-343.

Blitz M, Garbit JL, Masson JC, and et al. [Controlled study on the effect of a medical treatment on subjects consulting for the first time for prostatic adenoma]. Lyon Mediterr Med 1985;21:11.

Frasseto G, Bertoglio S, Mancuso S, and et al. [Study of the efficacy and tolerability of Tadenan 50 in patients with prostatic hypertrophy]. Progresso Medico 1986;42:49-53.

Gagliardi V, Apicella F, Pino P, and et al. Terapia medica dell'ipertrofia prostatica. Sperimentazione clinica controllata. Arch Ital Urol Nefrol Andrologia 1983;55:51-59.

Giacobini S, von Heland M, de Natale G, and et al. Valutazione clinica e morfo-funzionale del trattamento a doppio cieco con placebo, Tadenan 50 e Tadenan 50 associato a Farlutal nei pazienti con ipertrofia prostatica benigna. Antologia Medica Italiana 1986;6:1-10.

Mandressi A, Tarallo U, Maggioni A, and et al. Terapia medica dell'adenoma prostatico: confronto della efficacia dell'estratto di Serenoa repens (Permixon) versus l'estratto di Pigeum africanum e placebo. Valutazione in doppio cieco. Urologia 1983;50(4):752-757.

Mehrsai AR, Pourmand G, and Taheri M. Evaluation of the clinical and urodynamic effects of Pygeum africanum (Tadenan) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) [abstract]. Br J Urol 1997;80(suppl 2):227.

Ranno S, Minaldi G, Viscusi G, and et al. [Efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of prostatic adenoma with Tadenan 50]. Progresso Medico 1986;42:165-169.

Rigatti P, Zennaro F, Fraschini O, and et al. L'impegio del Tadenan nell'adenoma prostatico. Ricerca clinica controllata. Atti della Accademia medica lombarda 1983;38:1-4.

Rizzo M. Terapia medica dell'adenoma della prostata: valutazione clinica comparativa tra estratto di Pygeum africanum ad alte dosi e placebo. Farmacia Terapia 1985;2:105-110.

Barth H. Non hormonal treatment of benighn prostatic hypertrophy. Clinical evaluation of the active extract of Pygeum africanum. Proc Symp Benign Prostat Hypertrophy 1981;1:45-48.

Pavone-Macaluso M. Cyproterone acetate versus Pygeum africanum in the treatment of BPH. A multicentric, randomized study [abstract]. British Journal of Urology 1997;80(suppl 2):207.

Coulson S, Rao A, Beck SL, et al. A phase II randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Compl Ther Med 2013;21:172-9.

Ngai DN, Kibiti CM, Ngugi MP. Cognitive enhancing effects and anticholinesterase activity of stem bark and leaf extracts of Prunus africana. Heliyon 2022;8(12):e12289.

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Pygeum - Uses, Side Effects, and More