Pygeum (Prunus africanum) is an African tree widely available for the treatment of symptoms of enlarged prostate (known as benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH). Unfortunately, there are real ecological problems with this tree.
The bark of the tree is used. Given the poverty in areas where wild pygeum grows in Africa, many have harvested it unsustainably. Removing too much bark from these trees easily kills them, ensuring no more bark is available in future. Luckily companies are now starting to cultivate pygeum and harvest it sustainably, providing money for local workers and protecting pygeum.
There are additional ecological issues. The financial and ecological costs of shipping herbs across oceans to consumers are not negligible. In this case, some excellent, affordable alternatives exist in saw palmetto and nettle root. Pygeum offers nothing beyond these herbs for treating BPH symptoms, and both are grown in the United States, greatly reducing shipping requirements, related pollution and ecological footprint.
Clinical trials support that pygeum is good for addressing symptoms of BPH. However, given the ecological issues involved, it really should be used only in the African market. Pygeum offers an instructive case study in some of the complex ecological issues surrounding many herbal medicines. To preserve these important medicinal gifts of nature, we must be wise in our choices and use. The future availability of many botanicals depends on responsible sustainable practices, research, preservation and legislation.
Bastyr is a non-profit, private university offering graduate and undergraduate degrees, with a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural medicine. The university's Seattle teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, is the Northwest's largest natural medicine clinic. Go to bastyr.eduor bastyrcenter.org.