Pygeum (Pygeum africanum)
Photo: SAplants · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Male Reproductive
- 1 condition
- Licensed photo
Overview
Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) is an evergreen tree growing up to about 115 ft (35 m), with oblong leaves, white flowers, and red berries. Its bark extract has gained recognition for supporting prostate health, especially in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as well as providing mild anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects.
Traditional uses & properties
Anti-Inflammatory & Diuretic: May relieve inflammation in the genitourinary tract. Prostate Support: Clinical evidence suggests extract of the bark eases urinary symptoms related to BPH by improving glandular secretions and reducing swelling. Circulatory & Vascular: Mildly beneficial to blood flow, though its principal focus is on the prostate.
Traditional preparations
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person.
Dried bark (1:5, 50% alcohol); 1-2 ml (0.2-0.4 tsp.) 3 times daily
1,000-2,000 mg up to 3 times daily
Safety & precautions
Professional Supervision: Typically recommended if you have an existing medical condition or are on other medications. General: Considered safe at normal dosages.
Drug & food interactions
Interaction data is not available for this herb - talk to a pharmacist before combining it with any medication. A blank entry here means we have not documented interactions, not that none exist.
Habitat
Native to Africa, pygeum is still largely harvested from the wild. Overharvesting has led to shortages, so commercial plantations have been established. The bark is typically harvested under controlled conditions.
Traditionally used for
Each condition shows its first 2 remedies free. Premium opens the full remedy list for every condition - or come back for the free Condition of the Day.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) as follows: Anti-Inflammatory & Diuretic: May relieve inflammation in the genitourinary tract. Prostate Support: Clinical evidence suggests extract of the bark eases urinary symptoms related to BPH by improving glandular secretions and reducing swelling. Circulatory & Vascular: Mildly beneficial to blood flow, though its principal focus is on the prostate.
How is Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) prepared?
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person. TINCTURE: Dried bark (1:5, 50% alcohol); 1-2 ml (0.2-0.4 tsp.) 3 times daily POWDER OR CAPSULES: 1,000-2,000 mg up to 3 times daily
What safety cautions apply to Pygeum (Pygeum africanum)?
Professional Supervision: Typically recommended if you have an existing medical condition or are on other medications. General: Considered safe at normal dosages.
Related herbs
Couch Grass (Elymus repens)Couch grass is a vigorous perennial growing to 32 inches with a long, creeping rhizome, slender leaves, and erect spikes bearing green flowers aligned in two rows. Found in Europe, the Americas, northern Asia, and Australia, it is an invasive weed harvested throughout the year. In classical times, both Dioscorides (40-90 CE) and Pliny (23-79 CE) recommended couch grass root for poor urine flow and kidney stones. The herbalist John Gerard wrote in 1597 that 'Couch-grasse be an unwelcome guest to fields and gardens, yet his physicke virtues do recompense those hurts; for it openeth the stoppings of the liver and reins [ureters] without heat.' In times of famine, the root was roasted and ground as a substitute for coffee and flour.
Gravel Root (Eupatorium purpureum)Gravel root is an erect perennial growing to 5 feet with whorls of pointed oblong leaves and clusters of purple-pink florets. Native to eastern North America, the root is unearthed in autumn. The plant's alternative name, Joe Pye weed, honors the Native American said to have used it to cure New Englanders of typhus. Native Americans valued the herb as a diuretic and remedy for genitourinary conditions, and the root was listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the United States from 1820 to 1842, attesting to its recognized medicinal importance.
Nettle (Urtica dioica)Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial growing up to about 5 ft (1.5 m), recognized by its lance-shaped, serrated leaves and tiny greenish flowers. Though capable of “stinging,” nettle leaves and seeds are rich in protein, minerals, vitamins, and have a broad range of therapeutic effects, from anti-allergenic to diuretic.
Pau d'Arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa)Pau d'arco is an evergreen tree that can reach 100 feet in height, producing pink flowers. The bark of this South American tree has been treasured for centuries in traditional medicine for its extensive health benefits. Indigenous peoples including the Incas and the Callawaya valued it as a cure-all. The tree grows in both mountainous terrains high in the Andes and in low-lying areas of Paraguay and Brazil. The prized inner bark is collected from wild-growing trees throughout the year.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), also known as Sabal serrulata, is a small, slow-growing palm (to about 20 ft / 6 m) bearing fan-like fronds and white flowers that develop into dark purple to black berries. Historically used by Native Americans as a tonic, saw palmetto has become renowned for supporting prostate health and urinary function.