Home Remedies and Herbs for Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the prostate gland.¹ This gland sits below the bladder in men and is responsible for producing semen, the fluid that transports and nourishes semen. The gland is only the size of a walnut, but when inflamed, it can cause a variety of painful symptoms.¹ 

There are several types of prostatitis. They are diagnosed by measuring whether white blood cells are present in the urine, along with other urine cultures, as well as the chronicity or acuity of the prostatitis symptoms.² These classifications are as follows:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis 
• Inflammatory chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome
• Non-inflammatory chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome 
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

This condition affects 2 million men each year.³

What Causes Prostatitis?

One of the main prostatitis causes is bacterial infections. Bacteria that cause urinary tract infections can also cause prostatitis, as can sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. E. coli is one of the main causes of bacterial prostatitis. Certain sexual choices can also lead to bacterial prostatitis, including having multiple sexual partners or having anal sex without using a condom. Men over the age of 50 and those with an enlarged prostate are at higher risk of developing the condition.⁴ Bacterial prostatitis is usually acute, meaning it starts and stops fairly quickly.

Nonbacterial prostatitis occurs due to reasons aside from bacteria. Most cases of chronic prostatitis, which means it lasts for three months or more, are nonbacterial.⁵ Causes may include:

• Past infection
• Bicycle riding
• Sexual abuse
• Parasites
• Viruses
• Nerve or muscle problems
• Backup of urine flowing into the prostate

Prostatitis Symptoms

Prostatitis symptoms can include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Flushing
• Blood in the urine
• Pain while urinating
• Foul-smelling urine
• Abdominal or pelvic pain
• Pain during ejaculation

Acute prostatitis symptoms are typically worse but last for a shorter period of time. Chronic prostatitis symptoms appear slowly, and some men may not feel symptoms between episodes.⁴

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Prostatitis

Prostatitis treatment may include medications and, in severe cases, surgery.³ Prostatitis herbal remedies can help speed recovery and reduce prostatitis symptoms. Start with these recommended prostatitis herbs:

• Fo-ti - Fo-ti is a Chinese medicine historically used to treat conditions like high cholesterol, cancer, insomnia, and lower back pain.6 It’s also known for its benefits on the prostate, including reducing inflammation associated with prostatitis.
• Flower Pollen Extract - Flower pollen extract helps boost prostate health thanks to its rich content of vitamins and minerals. This prostatitis herbal remedy supplement is available in capsule form.
• Jatoba - This prostatitis natural remedy is derived from the bark of the jatoba tree. You can drink it in tea or tincture form to help reduce inflammation.

Talk to your doctor about prostatitis herbs you’re taking to ensure they won’t interact with other herbs or medications. Do not use prostatitis home remedies in place of seeing a doctor as your condition may be serious enough to warrant more aggressive treatment.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostatitis/home/ovc-20271415
2. http://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/adult-urology/prostatitis
3. http://umm.edu/programs/prostate/services/prostatitis
4. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/prostatitis-bacterial-acute
5. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/prostatitis-nonbacterial-chronic
6. http://www.drweil.com/vitamins-supplements-herbs/herbs/is-fo-ti-for-you/