Prostatitis,
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the Prostate Gland. It may be Bacterial or Chronic in nature. Prostatitis is believed to affect 30–50% of men with approximately 8% having symptoms. Men under 35 are more prone to bacterial Prostatitis whereas men over 50 typically have some degree of prostate enlargement or Prostatitis. When the enlargement is due to proliferation of the Prostate cells that are non malignant, it is termed Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Both Prostatitis and BPH often present with no symptoms. When present, the primary symptoms of Chronic Prostatitis include Urogenital Pain, Sexual Dysfunction and Urinary symptoms such as frequent, urgent, dribbling or painful urination.

Western Medicine treats Bacterial Prostatitis with antibiotics. while Chronic Prostatitis may be treated with α-blocker, anti-inflammatories, and 5α-reductase-inhibitors. Surgery is indicated in severe cases.

Men suffering Chronic Prostatitis have a 30% higher chance of developing Prostate Cancer, according to some research.

While Prostatitis is not specifically listed in Traditional Medicine texts, it falls under the category of Difficult or Obstructed Urine and is often a symptom of a more general disorder such as Kideny deficiency, Yin Deficiency etc.

TCM views Chronic Prostatitis as due to one of several pathomechanisms:

• Obstruction by Damp-Heat
• Yin Deficiency
• Liver Qi Stagnation

Herbs with Proven Effect against Prostatitis

Prepared and Dried Prostate Gland or Testes has been used for Enlarged Prostate or Prostatic Hypertrophy.

Combinations:

1. Willow bark with Horsetail (Ellingwood)
2. Golden Seal, Thuja
3. Kelp with Cleavers, Corn Silk, Horsetail, Saw Palmetto (Wonders in Weeds, W. Smith)
4. Bearberry with Horsetail, Agrimony
5. Queen of the Meadow with Golden Seal, Juniper berry, Marshmallow root, Parsley root
6.. Thuja with Poke root, Saw Palmetto, Damiana
7. Cyperus, Picrorrhiza (2 parts), Sandalwood, Ginger (1 part). Prepare a powder. (Ayurveda)
8. Astragalus Huang Qi, Leonurus Yi Mu Cao, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Phellodendron Huang Bai, Achyranthes Niu Xii
9. Rhubarb, Phellodendron Huang Bai, Frankincense Ru Xiang, Shilajit
10. Polygonum He Shou Wu and Frankincense (Ru Xiang)
11. Ba Zheng San with Yi Guan Jian
12. Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan with Cinnamon

Special Formula

Danggui Beimu Kushen Wan

    Dang gui
    Fritillaria Zhe Bei Mu
    Sophora Ku Shen
    Talcum Hua Shi
This classic formula has been widely used for Prostate disease including Chronic Prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer.

Qian Yu Decoction

    Astragalus Huang Qi
    Epimedium Yin Yang Huo
    Leonurus Yi Mu Cao
    Phellodendrum Huang Bai
    Achyranthes Niu Xi
This is effective to relieve Protatitis. (see research)

Linh Phu Khang Tue Tinh

A Traditional Vietnamese medicine for chronic urinary disorders
    Panax notoginseng San Qi
    Crinum asiaticum (Náng hoa trắng, Giant Crinum Lily)
    Polygonum cuspidatum Hu Zhang
    Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao
It has been found effective for Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, being comparable to dutasteride. (See here)

Research:

1. Berberine ameliorates nonbacterial prostatitis via multi-target metabolic network regulation.
2. Quercetin protects against chronic prostatitis in rat model through NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways
3. The Effects of Korea Red Ginseng on Inflammatory Cytokines and Apoptosis in Rat Model with Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis
4. Bee Collected Pollen and Bee Bread: Bioactive Constituents and Health Benefits
5. A Classic Herbal Formula Danggui Beimu Kushen Wan for Chronic Prostatitis: From Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Exploration
6. Walnuts may help prevent or slow prostate cancer