Prostate Enlargement – A growing problem

August 27, 2023 by Jurgen

‘Saw Palmetto appears to have the efficacy similar to that of medications like finasteride, but is better tolerated. Reported side effects are rare.’- American Family Physician

The frequency and severity of benign prostate enlargement (BPH =benign prostatic hypertrophy) increases with age, and symptoms will tend to worsen if the condition is not treated. With a large and increasing number of men affected, many seek advice from their GPs and pharmacists on means of easing the unpleasant symptoms without suffering the side effects common with pharmaceutical drugs.

Sabal serrulato

Saw Palmetto and BPH

In the UK and Ireland, management of BPH has mainly focused on drug or surgical treatments and the use of herbal medicine is not common. In Germany and Switzerland, Saw Palmetto is extensively used as first line treatment against mild to moderate cases of BPH. It provides therapeutic effects equal to those achieved with conventional drug treatments.

Solidago – Goldenrod – Kidney Tonic

August 1, 2023 by Jurgen

A bumblebee pollinating European Goldenrod – Solidago Virgaurea

USES: diuretic (fluid retention), improves renal function, kidney tonic.

HOW IT WORKS: Whilst Solidago has diuretic action, this is not the prime role of the plant. Solidago, aka. Goldenrod or Woundwort, has been shown to have important anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and antiseptic action and seems to strengthen kidney function.

This makes it useful as an agent to counter inflammation and irritation of the kidneys, when an infection or stones are present. The diuretic action is also useful in helping to dissolve kidney stones.

European Goldenrod – Woundwort

Stinging Nettle and Arthritis

June 28, 2023 by Jurgen

Stinging Nettle has been treasured for a long time by Irish herbalists as an excellent ‘blood tonic’. Traditionally the young tips of nettles are gathered to make ‘nettle soup’.

Urtica urens

USES: Arthritis, Gout, Detoxification, and Allergic rashes (nettle rash).

HOW IT WORKS: Nettle has a cleansing action, attributed to flavonoids, which increase the excretion of a number of waste substances from the body, particularly the acid metabolites including uric acid. – It greatly benefits gout and arthritic conditions.

Nettles have a high nutritive value, containing Vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium and silica, which explain its tonic action.