Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatment in Ayurveda

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy is an enlarged prostate that can block the urethra (a tube that excretes urine out of the body.) It is very common problem after 40 years of age in men. The prostate is a small gland found only in men, located below the bladder.

Causes

• Changes in hormone balance and in cell growth.
• Sedentary or insufficient physical work
• Suppression of urge for urinating
• Incompatible food intake
• Lifestyle disturbance

Certain medications also trigger the symptoms

• Cold or sinus medications that contain decongestants or anti-histamines
• Asthma drugs (esp. inhalers)
• Allergy and hay fever drugs

Symptoms

Nerves within the prostate and bladder may also play a role in causing the following common symptoms:

• Urinary frequency: The need to urinate frequently during the day or night (nocturia), usually voiding only small amounts of urine with each episode
• Urinary urgency: The sudden, urgent need to urinate, owing to the sensation of imminent loss of urine without control
• Hesitancy: Difficulty initiating the urinary stream; interrupted, weak stream
• Incomplete bladder emptying: The feeling of persistent residual urine, regardless of the frequency of urination
• Straining: The need strain or push to initiate and maintain urination in order to
• fully evacuate the bladder
• Disturbed sleep at night
• Decreased force of stream: The subjective loss of force of the urinary stream over time
• Dribbling: Due to a poor urinary stream

Complications

• In a small number of cases, BPH may cause the bladder to be blocked, making it extremely hard to urinate.
• Backed-up urine in the bladder (urinary retention), leading to bladder infections or stones, or kidney damage.

Diagnosis

• Physical examination.
• Urine test (urinalysis)
• Digital rectal examination (DRE) to feel the size of prostate.
• Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test to rule out prostate cancer.
• Cystoscopy

Ayurvedic Approach

Ashthila along with two other conditions known as mootrakrucha and mootraaghaata caused due to aggravation of Vata especially the Apana Vayu described in ayurvedic texts coincides with the symptoms of Prostate enlargement. Mootrakruchra or difficulty in urinating is characterized by severe pain in passing urine whereas in mootraaghaata, there is total suppression or intermittent flow of urine during urination.

Ayurvedic Medicines for BPH

Planet Ayurveda has PROSTATE CARE PACK, completely herbal that is beneficial and improves urinary flow rate while reducing post-void residual urine also inhibits prostatic stromal proliferation. Regular use for few months is advised to maintain healthy prostate. Time duration varies from patient to patient as per condition and body response.

PROSTATE CARE PACK

Composition of the Pack is

Sr. No.	Product Name	Herbs Used	Dosage
1	SHILAJIT CAPSULES	Shilajit	Shilajit 2 capsules twice daily
2.	VARUNADI VATI works wonderfully on urinary tract infections	Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa), Varun (Crataeva nurvala), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Guggul (Comifora mukul)	2 tablets twice daily
3.	KACHNAAR GUGGUL wonderful, effective natural supplement for prostate health	Kanchnaar (Bauhinia variegate), Terminalia chebula (Haritaki), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) Guggul (Comifora mukul) etc.	2 tablets twice daily
4.	TRIBULUS POWER CAPSULES work as a natural diuretic and eliminate toxins	Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris)	2 capsules twice daily

Herbs used for the treatment of BPH

1. Shilajit

• Shilajit, a natural -mineral compound with humic and fulvic acids and many trace minerals ejected out of rocks during hot weather in the lower Himalayas is specially used in genito-urinary disease.
• It is a general tonic or Rasyana.
• Keeps the calcium in the bones and consequently makes them stronger.
• Serves as a natural anti-oxidant, containing more than 85 minerals in their ionic form, keeping the diseases away and the immune system strong.
• Anti-inflammatory properties accelerates healing and tissue damage.
• Antioxidant and anti-aging properties, promotes cellular respiration.

2. Punarnava, Hog Weed (Boerhavia diffusa)

• An anti-inflammatory herb, an effective diuretic, anti-spasmodic, with pain relieving qualities for urinary tract issues, including infections, hence it can be used in relieving urinary retention and relieving water retention
• Useful in relieving pain, abdominal colic.
• Slightly alkaline in nature, having scraping, cutting qualities improves digestion, and speeds up wound healing
• Detox and removes all the toxins from the body very effectively
• Punarnava is a tissue builder, a rasayana. This herb is perfectly designed for prostate problems to combat inflammation.

3. Varun (Crataeva nurvala)

• Having main constituent lupeol, has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and urinary-renal supportive qualities, used to treat infections of the urinary tract.
• Relieves difficulty in urination caused by enlarged prostate.

4. Gokshur, Gokshura (gokhru), Tribulus terrestris

• Has been traditionally used in treating urogenital condition
• It reduces symptoms like burning sensation and pain while urinating and has anti-inflammatory effects
• Treats erectile dysfunction, low libido and other associated symptoms of BPH.
• Helps to maintain regular urine flow, stops dribbling after urination
• Helps to control urgency of urine as well as gives strength to genito-urinary system.

5. Kachnar (Bauhinia variegate)

• It helps in clearing ama from the blood, muscle, and fat tissue, and helps to maintain the normal size of the prostate gland and supports balanced cell production.
• Contains tannic acid useful in Glandular enlargement, prostatic hypertrophy, helps in the excretion of toxins that are obstructing the deeper fat tissues and the Lipid layer.
• A safe and effective herb known for its anti-inflammatory, healing and laxative properties which makes it a natural choice against BPH.
• It effectively flushes the lymphatic system of toxins, sluggishness and accumulated waste.

6. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

• It nourishes the digestive system, enhances appetite and improves digestion, effective against inflammation and parasites.
• It promotes healing and reduces swelling, balances tridoshas, i.e Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Having a wide anti- bacterial and antifungal spectrum, and helps in the inhibition of growth of E. coli, the most common organism responsible for urinary tract infection. Thus helping in curing urinary tract infections or UTI.

• Found to be effective in preventing ageing and imparting longevity, immunity and resistance to the body against diseases
• Useful in impotency, lassitude of organs, various obstructions in channels (veins, arteries etc.)
• Acts as an excellent nervine tonic.
• Removes away the unnecessary deposits and toxins from the body

7. Indian gooseberry -Emblica officinalis

• Amlaki has bioflavonoids, flavones, polyphenols and carotenoids and Ascorbic acid
• It acts as an antioxidant with free radical scavenging properties which may be due to the presence of high levels of super oxide dismutase.
• Plays significant role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, collagen synthesis
• Facilitates absorption of iron in the body and improves hemoglobin level.
• Due to its anti-inflammatory action used in various gastrointestinal tract inflammation and indigestion.

Diet recommendations in BPH

Diet rich in whole, natural foods is excellent for the overall prostate health. Foods rich in nutrients have the potential to both help prevent and treat health issues like prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and prostate cancer.

• Pumpkin seeds, cayenne, jackfruit seeds, broccoli, mushroom, pomegranate, Yogurt are good.
• foods, such as asparagus, bananas, and dates will delay prostate swelling
• Herbs like senna leaf to move apana vata, ajwain seed and asafetida to enhance digestion, and turmeric for inflammation.

Avoid

Pickles, squashes, some beverages like Beer, Lemonade, Cocoa, Sauces, chocolate and canned fruit juices, Citrus fruits (particularly orange juice), Watermelon, Pineapple etc.

• Avoid intake of more fluid after 7 pm to reduce the need of frequent urination.
• Take less salt as it causes fluid retention
• Dry, Cold, astringent & pungent foods should be avoided.
• Food which is heavy to digest.

The following food stuffs should be avoided to reduce the occurrence of enlarged prostate symptoms:

• Broad Beans
• Tomatoes
• White Corn , Yellow corn
• Peas, fish and meat
• Red wine
• Aged wines
• Coffee
• Soft Drinks
• Tea

Home remedies for BPH

• Amalaki herb/fruit acts as a blood cleanser, supports the immune system, and acts as a soothing treatment for dry or inflamed membranes. Boil the amla fruit (coarsely powdered) and this decoction should be taken in the quantity of 10gms daily.
• Vacha and Mustard should be grinded in water and heated and applied externally.
• Roots of Erand 4 gms should be boiled in 120gms milk filtered and added in 10gms of castor oil should be taken for 15-20 days.
• Powdered pumpkin seeds must be taken in the quantity of 1 tsp in a glass of milk every day.

Yogasana

• Forward bending Yogasanas (vajrasana, pachimottasana, padahastasana, trikonasana, etc),
• Bhastrika pranayama, Vajroli mudra and Meditation certainly helps in improvement of quality of life.