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Urinary & Kidney Health

Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Reviewed by the Nimbera editorial team · Last updated May 2026

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that causes urinary symptoms including weak stream, frequent urination (especially at night), incomplete bladder emptying, and urgency. Affects more than half of men by age 60.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if you have difficulty urinating, blood in urine, or urinary retention. Get a PSA test and DRE to rule out prostate cancer. Do not self-treat without a confirmed BPH diagnosis.

Natural remedies · 7

Tap any remedy for the full how-to and citation.

How we rate evidenceâ–¾

Strong - Multiple randomised controlled trials or systematic reviews with consistent positive outcomes.

Moderate - At least one RCT or several high-quality observational studies with plausible mechanisms.

Limited - Small trials, animal studies, or traditional use with limited human clinical evidence.

Sources link directly to PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, or NCCIH.

Saw Palmetto Extract

ingestible
A 2023 Cochrane review of 27 studies found Serenoa repens improved urinary symptom scores in men with BPH, particularly at standardized extract doses.
$15-$35 per month

Beta-Sitosterol

ingestible
A Cochrane review of 4 placebo-controlled trials (519 men) found beta-sitosterol significantly improved urinary flow measures and symptom scores in men with BPH (Wilt et al. 1999).
$12-$30 per month

Pygeum (African Plum Bark Extract)

ingestible
A Cochrane review of 18 RCTs (1,562 men) found pygeum africanum standardized extract improved nocturia, urinary flow rate, and residual urine volume compared to placebo (Wilt et al. 2002).
$15-$30 per month

Pumpkin Seed Extract

ingestible
The GRANU randomized placebo-controlled trial (1,431 men, 12 months) found pumpkin seed produced a clinically relevant reduction in IPSS symptom scores versus placebo (Vahlensieck et al. 2015).
$10-$25 per month for capsules; $5-$8 per month for seeds

Stinging Nettle Root Extract

ingestible
A 12-week RCT of 100 BPH patients found Urtica dioica root extract significantly improved IPSS scores, reduced PSA, and lowered inflammatory markers (CRP, MDA) versus placebo (Ghorbanibirgani et al. 2013).
$12-$25 per month

Lycopene (Tomato Carotenoid)

ingestible
A 6-month RCT (40 men) found 15 mg/day lycopene prevented prostate enlargement on ultrasound and reduced PSA levels versus placebo, where prostate size increased (Schwarz et al. 2008).
$10-$20 per month for supplements

Regular Aerobic Exercise

lifestyle
A systematic review found men engaging in moderate physical activity had a 26-30% lower risk of BPH and LUTS versus sedentary men, with walking 2-3 hours per week associated with a 25% lower BPH risk (Parsons et al. 2008).
$0 (or gym membership $20-$50/month if preferred)

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Remedy information is compiled from primary clinical sources including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Evidence ratings reflect published human trial data at time of writing. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our full disclaimer.