Ayurvedic Treatment for Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – BPH)

Prostate gland enlargement is also called enlarged prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is a common problem in men as they get older.  The prostate gland enlarges with the age. When it is enlarged abnormally to cause blockage in urine flow or difficulty in urination, it should be treated with non-invasive measures.

The common symptoms of BPH are:

• Increased urinary frequency
• Urgent need to urinate
• Nocturia – increased urine frequency at night
• Feeling difficulty in starting urination
• Dribbling at end of urination
• Intermittent or weak urine stream
• Inability to empty the bladder completely
• Recurrent Urinary tract infection
• Leakage of urine even after urination

Ayurvedic Medicine for Prostate Enlargement

There are several ayurvedic medicines, which help to reduce symptoms of the benign prostate enlargement. These medicines are also helpful for preventing the further enlargement of the prostate gland and for reducing the enlarged prostate significantly.

Ayurvedic Treatment Principle for BPH

However, all three humors (Dosha) play a role in enlargement of the prostate gland. Kapha causes growth, Vata promotes and stimulates the growth of gland and pitta governs the mechanism of growth. Aggravated or increased Vata Dosha is always present in prostate hypertrophy because prostate gland is located in Vata Site and occurs in old age, which is also a Vata dominant period of life. Therefore, treatment should always contain herbs and ayurvedic medicines for Vata pacification. Secondly, mass growth cannot happen without increased Kapha, so Kapha treatment should also be included. Whatever the case, Pitta in the body should not be increased because increased pitta causes treatment failure in BPH cases. Simultaneous treatment should be administered for increased or aggravated Pitta for promising results.

Before we discuss medicines for prostate enlargement, first we need to understand the association of Dosha according to Ayurveda principles for treatment purposes. One should find the dosha dominance in the body of the patient, which may be less significant in the prostatic symptoms, so also take a detailed history of other problems that patient may have. It is a very important step toward a successful ayurvedic treatment of prostate hypertrophy.

Varun (Crataeva Nurvala)

Varun (Crataeva Nurvala) is the main medicine for prostate hypertrophy, but it cannot be given it patient has any pitta condition or pitta symptoms, so before starting treatment with Varun bark powder, pitta condition must be treated first.

For example, if the patient has burning sensation in urine, bleeding in urine, heartburn, mouth ulcer, the excessive yellowish color of urine, burning sensation in the abdomen, peptic ulcer, gastritis, or any other pitta condition, then Varun (Crataeva Nurvala) is not useful. If you use Varun in such cases, then it will not give desired results, but aggravate the pitta problems and worsen the pitta symptoms. Therefore, it is not a wise use of Varun though it is the main medicine for prostate enlargement.

However, it can be still given if pitta condition is mild and can be controlled with a short treatment. You can control pitta condition wisely with simultaneous treatment for the pitta conditions. In such cases, Varun powder should be started minimal dosage as possible i.e. 125 mg twice daily with water. Still, if the patient has mouth ulcers and bleeding in urine or other bleeding disorders, Varun is not advisable.

In Vata and Kapha dominance, Varun bark powder should be used in dosage of 2 grams twice daily. It reduces the size of prostate gland and symptoms of BPH.

Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa)

Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa) also shows remarkable results in prostate hypertrophy. However, it may not have a significant influence on the size of the prostate gland as Varun have, but it supports Varun to reduce symptoms and prevents further enlargement of the gland.

Chandraprabha Vati

Chandraprabha Vati is also the main medicine for the prostate. It should always be included regardless the dosha predominance. It reduces urinary discomfort, frequency of urination, nocturia (frequent urination at night) and all other symptoms listed above in this article. Furthermore, it is likely to stop the progress of the disease. It is Rasayana Medicine for men as they become old. It also prevents prostate enlargement in men when taken regularly for Rasayana purposes. It is also beneficial in prostate cancer.

Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris)

Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris) is indicated if the patient has associated pitta symptoms like burning sensation in the urine or blood in urine. It improves the overall health of the urinary system and male reproductive system. In pitta cases where Varun cannot be given, it can be used meanwhile. Then Varun can be included when pitta condition is cured.

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

As in Pitta condition, Gokshura should be included in the treatment of BPH; Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) should be included in cases of Vata aggravation conditions. It is also beneficial in prostate cancer.

Varanadi Kashayam

Varanadi Kashayam contains many ingredients, which are likely to reduce the mass growth and size of the prostate gland. However, the main impact of Varanadi Kashayam in prostate enlargement is due to Varun bark powder, the main ingredient in it, but in combination, it works well and has fewer side effects.

Treatment Combination Table for BPH

One can use Varanadi Kashayam in place of Varun in above table in a dosage of 20 ml before meal twice daily and other medicines should be taken after a meal. If you are taking Varanadi Kashayam tablet, it should be taken in dosage of 2 tablets thrice daily 30 minutes before a meal.

As discussed above, pitta should be treated first before starting this treatment in people having pitta diseases as well. Meanwhile, they can use following treatment.

However, there is a long list of ayurvedic medicines used in benign prostate enlargement (BPH), but the most successful treatment is provided above. I hope it helps many. Still, we provide a table for other medicines, which can be advised by some ayurvedic doctors in prostate enlargement according to an individual health condition.

Questions & Answers

Can I take these ayurveda medicines as a preventive measure to avoid prostate enlargement?

There is no need to use all medicines listed here for preventive measures. Alone Chandraprabha Vati can be beneficial for preventing prostate enlargement.