Health benefits of Pygeum

Pygeum africanum (or Prunus africana), commonly known as the African plum tree or pygeum, is an evergreen tree that belongs to the rose family Rosaceae, which also houses cherries and plums. The plant is native to the mountainous regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, African forest regions, Central and South American mountains, and the Gulf of Guinea, and the Madagascar and Comoros islands. Pygeum is an herbal extract taken from the bark of the African cherry tree. Few of the popular common names of the plant are African Cherry, African Plum, Red Stinkwood, Pygeum Bark,  pygeum, iron wood, African prune, bitter almond, Mueri, Ntasesa, Gyabazito, Ngwabuzito, Chiramat, Chirumandi, Gulumati, Gumwirumari, Namwini, Mukumbo, Omumba, Musuba, Engothe, Ngoti, Mugote, Ntasera, Ngote, Oromoti, Kanda stick and African Almond.

The plant is called stinkwood because it has wood with an unpleasant odor. The genus name ‘Prunus’ is derived from the Latin word which refers to the plum family and the scientific name “Prunus africana” refers to the species of African origin. The Prunus genus is very important in agriculture as it includes peaches, plums, cherries and apricots. Native to southern and central Africa, this is a plum tree, but the fruit is not the focal point of interest. While this bark-derived substance has been in use for hundreds of years, it is still mainly used for the treatment of prostate issues in men. This supplement is commonly used to block the activity of DHT, more formally known as dihydrotestosterone. This supplement is able to prevent problems with the prostate and male pattern baldness. You can use pygeum in the recommended amounts on a permanent basis. For those who are worried about their prostate health, this is an excellent way to strengthen your body’s defenses.

Plant Description

Pygeum is a fast-growing, much branched, evergreen tree that grows about 10 – 24 meters tall with some specimens reaching 36 meters. Bole has a diameter of up to 1 meter and can be branchless for the first 10 meter. The plant is found growing in upland rain-forest, montane, riverine forests, moist evergreen forest, woodland, edge of dry gallery forest and mixed Podocarpus latifolius forest. Bark is usually black to brown, rough, corrugated or fissured, and scaly, fissuring in a characteristic rectangular pattern. The wood is heavy, hard, strong and red brown colored. Large-diameter trees have impressive, spreading crowns. It requires a moist climate, 900–3,400 mm (35–130 in) annual rainfall, and is moderately frost-tolerant. P. africana appears to be a light-demanding, secondary-forest species.

Leaves

The heavy shining foliage is composed of simple leaves, arranged alternately, oval or lance-shaped, sometimes widely so, tapering at both ends and sometimes with a long drawn-out point or with a rounded apex and base. They are 8–20 cm (3.1–7.9 in) long, shiny deep green above, duller and lighter below, with conspicuous veins and a distinct midrib which is prominent below. The margins may be toothed or untoothed. The 2 cm (0.8 in) petiole is pink or red and smell like bitter almonds when crushed.

Flower

Flowers small, androgynous, white or greenish, hairy, fragrant, borne abundantly in bunches 5-7.6 cm long in the axils of leaves or on the side of shoots; solitary or in branched axillary sprays 3-7 cm long; calyx and petals small; 10-20 stamens. In Kenya the trees flower between November and February and ripe fruits are available 4-6 months later.  In South Africa flowering occurs October to May and fruiting September to January.

Fruits

Fertile flowers are followed by spherical, bitter drupe, 7 mm long, 1.3 cm broad, pinkish-brown, bilobed, with a thin, dark red to reddish-brown pulp when ripe, a depression in the center covering a papery shell; thin pericarp with 1 or 2 small, delicate, oval seeds inside. It grows in bunches ripening September through November, several months after pollination.

Health Benefits of Pygeum

The benefits of using Pygeum bark extract include treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), boosting fertility, preventing urinary tract infections (UTI), and reducing inflammation, among others.

1. Hair Loss

As a DHT blocker, pygeum bark extract is very important for men who are struggling with hair loss. Male pattern baldness is often exacerbated by the presence of dihydrotestosterone, but this supplement can block that compound from having any effect. While research is still in early stages of the comprehensive effects of this supplement, subjective evidence is quite considerable. (1)

2. Male Fertility Issues

If you are struggling to remain fertile, or if your sperm count or motility has decreased, using this supplement may be able to increase hormone production and avoid the inflammation that can affect fertility. (2)

3. Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is one of the biggest causes of chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. This supplement can help to reduce inflammation to improve the function of multiple organ systems. (3)

4. Prostatic Hyperplasia

One of the most common uses of this bark extract, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can be treated with this supplementation. BPH is a condition that affects many men and is more commonly referred to as an enlarged prostate. Considering that this is often seen as a precursor to prostate cancer, it is important to identify and remedy this problem as soon as possible.(4)

5. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Some studies have found a link between a decrease in urinary tract infections and the consumption of this supplement, both as a preventative measure and a treatment.

6. Kidney Disease

Different research has found that this supplement can ease the strain on the kidneys and improve the detoxification of the body, which can boost immune health and overall wellness.

7. Sexual Performance

By increasing circulation and reducing inflammation, regular use of this bark extract has also been linked to improved sexual performance and endurance in men.

8. Other Benefits

Frequent use of pygeum also helps in treating and preventing other health conditions such as fever, malaria, and stomach-ache.

Recorded traditional uses of Pygeum

Pygeum Quick Facts
Name:	Pygeum
Scientific Name:	Prunus africana
Origin	African forest regions, Central and South American mountains, the Gulf of Guinea, and the Madagascar and Comoros islands
Colors	Green when young turning to dark red or reddish-brown at maturity
Shapes	Rounded, drupe, red to brown, 7–13 mm (0.3–0.5 in), wider than long, two-lobed, with a seed in each lobe
Taste	Bitter
Health benefits	Hair Loss, Male Fertility Issues, Inflammation, Prostatic Hyperplasia, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), Kidney Disease and Sexual Performance

Country	Plant Parts Used	Use
Cameroon	Branches	Tool (Axe, hoe) handles
	Timber	Ceremonial spear handles
		Roof Support
		Bridge decks
		Fuel wood
		Window and door frames
	Bark	Traditional medicines (45 human ailments)
	Leaves	Traditional medicine
	Fruit and leaves	Wildlife food
	Seeds	Traditional medicine (Rare Use)
	Flowers	Honey Production
Uganda	Timber	Mortars and pestles
		Beehive supports
		Beer boats
		Pitsawn lumber
		Building poles
		Bean stakes
		Firewood, Charcoal
		Furniture, flooring, paneling
		Carving
		Building poles and posts
		Utensils
Kenya	Timber bark	House building and furniture
		Traditional medicine (fever)
		Traditional medicine (gonorrhea)
		Traditional medicine (Purgative)
	Leaves	Traditional medicine (Stomach pain)
	Bark	Traditional medicine (purgative)
South Africa	Bark	Traditional medicine (Chest Pain)
		Traditional medicine (inter coastal pain)
	Timber	Wagons
East Africa	Leaves	Traditional medicine (stomach pain)
West Africa	Timber	Truck bodies
		Chopping blocks
		Bridge decks
		Cabinets and furniture
Zaire/ Burundi	Leaves	Traditional medicines (Insanity)
Unspecified	Unspecified	Traditional Medicine (cattle purgative, fever, stomach pain)
		Arrow Poison
		Anti-inflammatory, kidney disease, urinary tract complaints, fevers, malaria, wound dressing, appetite stimulant

 

Traditional uses and benefits of Pygeum

• In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to encourage respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer.
• It is considered traditional remedy for diseases such as fever, malaria, wounds, stomach ache, kidney diseases, and, gonorrhea, and as appetite booster.
• Bark is highly valued for its medicinal properties, mostly as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate gland hypertrophy, diseases that commonly affect older men in Europe and N. America.
• Bark is used in traditional medicine as a purgative and as a remedy for stomach ache.
• Leaves are used as an inhalant for fever or are drunk as an infusion to improve appetite.
• Powdered pygeum bark is used by African natives to treat urinary problems.
• Bark is used in an attempt to treat fevers, malaria, wound dressing, arrow poison, stomach pain, purgative, kidney disease, appetite stimulant, gonorrhea, and insanity.
• Bark has a very high reputation as a treatment for enlarged prostate in older males.
• Bark is also required as an aphrodisiac to enhance vitality and sexual power especially among the males.
• Leaves are used as an inhalant for fever or are drunk as an infusion to improve appetite.
• Water is added to pounded bark, and the red liquid is used for treatment of stomachache.
• An infusion of powdered bark in milk or water is a tribal remedy for the treatment of bladder pain and micturition problems.

Pygeum Dosage

Although the amount of research on a precise dosage is somewhat limited, most specialists agree that between 50 and 100 mg of pygeum extract can be consumed each day for the treatment of prostate issues.  Given the powerful nature of this supplement, do not consume more than the recommended dose.

How to Consume Pygeum

Pygeum uses, both traditional and modern, are mostly limited to herbal remedies made from the bark. Aside from the berries of the pygeum tree being eaten by gorillas and some birds, there are almost no culinary applications for pygeum.

Natural Forms

Infusion

Dried pygeum bark can be stepped in hot water for few minutes. This preparation can be taken on daily basis for treating urinary problems and promoting prostate health.

Decoction

Concentrated preparation is obtained by boiling the pygeum bark with water. This liquid can be taken every day to reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of the herb.

Herbal Remedies & Supplements

Liquid extract

This strong preparation concentrates all the medicinal benefits of pygeum. Few drops are diluted in a glass of water for a potent anti-inflammatory effect.

Capsules

In this supplemental form, pygeum can be taken every day, in standardized doses, for a more controlled anti-inflammatory action and urinary tract health support.

Other facts

• Bark, bruised leaves and fruits smell strongly of bitter almonds, suggesting the presence of hydrogen cyanide.
• Wood is used for furniture, carving, chopping blocks, floors, wagons, utensils, etc.
• Timber is a hardwood used in the manufacture of axe and hoe handles, utensils, wagons, floors, chopping blocks, carving, bridge decks, floors, wagons and furniture.
• Wood is tough, heavy, straight-grained, and pink, with a pungent bitter-almond smell when first cut, turning mahogony and odorless later.
• Tree is used for erosion control, shade, shelter, and windbreak and as an ornamental.
• Fallen leaves act as a green manure.
• Flowers make good bee forage and the attractive shape makes it a popular garden shade tree.
• In the Afro-montane forests the fruits of P. africana are an important food source for a number of rare birds and mammals.
• Bark extract may be used as a purgative for cattle.
• Pygeum produces high-quality firewood.
• Flowers have sufficient nectar and pollen for good bee forage.
• Avoid over harvesting of bark from the tree as it leads to death and mortality.
• Do not harvest trees in dry season in lower altitude as it increases susceptibility to pest and disease attack.

Precautions

• Bark, bruised leaves and fruits smell strongly of bitter almonds, suggesting the presence of hydrogen cyanide.
• They are reputed to be poisonous and are used in witchcraft.
• In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
• Avoid use during Pregnancy and breast feeding.
• It may cause nausea and abdominal pain.
• In larger concentrations, however, cyanide can cause gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure leading to death.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=837327#null

https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/176815/

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+africana

https://www.drugs.com/npp/pygeum.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_africana

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/tro-27802197

https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Prunus_africana

http://pza.sanbi.org/prunus-africana

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