Ayurvedic Treatment For BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland in men. It can be generally referred to as the enlarged prostate gland.

There are several different methods to treat BPH. These include medical treatments (Ayurveda and Allopathic) as well as surgical treatments.

Ayurveda is an age-old traditional medical system still in practice in India and also recognized by the WHO. Ayurveda describes two conditions known as Mootrakruchra and Mootraaghaata which are major conditions seen in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.

Mootrakrichra is characterized by pain, trouble or difficulty in passing the urine, also known as Dysuria, whereas in Mootraaghaata, there is total suppression or intermittent flow of urine during urination.

Ayurveda gives three elemental substances, the doshas (called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), and states that a balance of the doshas results in health, while imbalance results in disease. According to Ayurveda, each person should modify their environment, lifestyle or behavior to increase or decrease the doshas and maintain their natural state.

Ayurvedic self-care tips in BPH

In case of mild symptoms, self-care according to texts of Ayurveda can provide relief, as follow:

• Vata gets abated or invalidated when natural urges are controlled. Therefore, one should not control the natural urge of passing urine. Don’t hold on the urge to urinate.
• Go to the bathroom even if you do not have an urge.
• Alcohol, tobacco, coffee increase vata and abate it and hence, should be avoided.
• Vata becomes normal and not abate when the body is warm. Thus, Yoga, as well as regular exercise, can keep the body warm.
• Mental exertion and stress lead to an increase of vata. Avoiding mental stress and meditation can help to normalize vata.
• Avoid foods which cause constipation as constipation exaggerates vata.
• Long-term insufficient zinc intake is also linked to BPH. Good dietary sources of zinc include meat, eggs, and seafood.

Ayurvedic treatments For BPH

Ayurvedic therapies have a long history of use as natural treatments to support optimal prostate health.

• Tribulus Terrestris 

Tribulus is an herb knows as Gokshura (gokhru), used widely as an effective remedy for enlarged prostate. This traditional herb helps the body to maintain regular urine flow, control urgency of urine, decrease dribbling of urine, enhance male sex power and also strengthen male urinary system. Tribulus capsule is available in the market or you can consume it by taking two teaspoons of the grinded fruit and boil in two cups of water until about half the water remains.

• Shilajit 

Ayurveda strongly recommends Shilajit to use for relief in genito-urinary disease. It is a natural mineral compound with humic and fulvic acids and many trace minerals ejected out of rocks during hot weather in the lower Himalayas. It acts as a general tonic or Rasayana having anti-inflammatory properties that accelerate healing and tissue damage. Hence, it helps in relieving Mootraghaata. It contains more than 85 minerals in their ionic form, keeping the diseases away and the immune system strong, thus, serving as a natural antioxidant.

• Varunadi vati 

Varuna is an ayurvedic medicine for treating BPH from a tree known as Crataeva nurvala. Ayurveda recommends tablets made from the bark of this tree for prostate enlargement or BPH as it improves the urinary flow rate and reduces prostate weight, thus, reducing residual urine which ultimately decreases bathroom visits.

• Yava-kshaara 

It is a substance obtained from ashes of dried wheat plant and barley. This contains an altered form of potassium carbonate which is beneficial in the treatment of difficulty in urination and urinary calculi. It is also used in treating bloating, abdominal pain and ascites.

• Ushira

Ushira is popularly known as Khas, Khas or Khus grass in India. It is a dense grass that is used to treat illnesses such as epilepsy, headaches, fevers and prostate enlargement.

• Swet Chandan 

It is also known as Santalum album grown mainly in southern part of India. Useful in the state of anxiety, mental tension, headaches, enlarged prostate, anger, negativity, and depression.

• Khadir 

Khadir is a thorny tree also known as Areca catechu particularly grown in dry regions. It is traditionally known to increase male sex power and to reduce the inflammation in an enlarged prostate.

• Shatavari

Shatavari, known as wild asparagus, is a well known uterine and reproductive tonic in Ayurveda. It helps in relieving inflammation and improves urination.

• Punarnava

It is also known as Hog Weed (Boerhaavia diffusa). The root juice of Hog Weed is widely used to treat asthma, urinary disorders, leukorrhea, rheumatism, and encephalitis. Punarnava have been shown to be effective for symptoms of BPH in different clinical trials.

• Gorakhmundi 

Also called as Sphaeranthus hirtus. It is known as an effective treatment of pain, localized swelling and also to improve the sexual vigor in Ayurveda. The cold infusion of the plant is used to treat cases of burning micturition and pyuria, thus, relieving Mootrakricha conditions.

• Salam Mishri 

Popularly known as Salep Orchid and called as salam mishri in Ayurveda. It is prescribed in case of prostate problems brought on by vata disturbance as it is known to restore the body after diseases, stimulate its proper functionality and activity.

•  Kachnaar Guggul

The bark of this tree has been used for blockages in lymphatic channels, inflammation of lymph nodes and for all types of excessive growth of various tissues including enlarged prostate gland

• Prunus domestica 

Prunus domestica is a small deciduous tree in the Rosaceae (rose family). It has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins in the prostate. Research has also shown that Prunus domestica reduces hyperplasia and hypertrophy of prostate. It has been clinically proved in a supplement known as Prosman made from Prunus domestica extract.

• Bala Taila Matra Basti (installation of medicated oil through rectal route) 

In Ayurveda, it is a method of injecting medication to BPH patients through rectal route for significant relief in enlarged prostate symptoms. It is mentioned in ancient texts that Matra Basti is a choice of treatment in controlling Vata Dosha in all types of Mootraghata. It improves the general body health (Balya), nourishes as a whole, normalizes the function of Vata and regularizes the natural urges like urination, defecation in diseased conditions. New BPH treatment fully reverse the symptoms of enlarged prostate