Pygeum
OTHER NAME(S): African cherry, African prune, Prunus africana, pygeum, Pygeum africanum
Overview
Pygeum, which is also known as African cherry and African prune, is a tree called Prunus africana. Dietary supplements that contain pygeum are made from the bark of the tree. These supplements are often taken for an enlarged prostate, although their benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. Before taking pygeum, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is pygeum used for?
Pygeum (Prunus africana) is commonly used for an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH), but its benefits are not well defined.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed pygeum for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does pygeum work (mechanism of action)?
Pygeum is a plant called Prunus africana. It is native to Africa, where it has a long history of use in traditional medicine and is known as the African cherry or African prune. Dietary supplements made from pygeum contain the bark of the tree.
Pygeum products are commonly marketed for prostate health, especially for an enlarged prostate. When the prostate is enlarged, it can press on the urethra, which is the tube that empties urine (pee) from your bladder. This can make it harder to fully empty your bladder and may increase how often you need to pee. Some studies show that pygeum might help reduce some of the symptoms of BPH by helping empty more urine from the bladder and reducing trips to the bathroom at night. But these benefits may be small, and it is not clear how pygeum compares with prescription medicines for BPH.
Herbal products, such as pygeum, naturally contain many different chemicals. It is not clear which chemicals may be helpful for prostate health or how they may work to reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate. The amounts of each chemical in a specific pygeum product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.
How should I store pygeum?
You should store pygeum according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of pygeum?
The most common side effects of pygeum are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Nausea
There may be other side effects of pygeum that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of pygeum?
While less common, the most serious side effects of pygeum are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Pygeum may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking pygeum and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Precautions
Who should not use pygeum?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take pygeum.
- African cherry
- African prune
- Prunus africana
- Pygeum
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific pygeum products they stock.
What should I know about pygeum before using it?
Pygeum is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep pygeum out of the reach of children.
If you have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as having a hard time peeing, a weak stream, or dribbling when you pee, call your health care provider. Pygeum may not be the right option for treating prostate problems or other urinary problems.
Herbal products, such as pygeum, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific pygeum product can change for many reasons, including the area where the tree was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the tree was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
The FDA has not tested pygeum products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using pygeum?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if pygeum is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
Other Medicines and Supplements.Pygeum may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking pygeum, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Pygeum is not usually used by people who can become pregnant. It is not known if or how pygeum could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Pygeum is not usually used by people who can breastfeed. It is not known if pygeum passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does pygeum interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between pygeum and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect pygeum.
Does pygeum interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using an alpha-blocker, such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, or tamsulosin, which is a medicine that may be used for trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate. Also tell your health care provider if you are taking any other supplements for prostate health.
The interactions between pygeum and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with pygeum is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking pygeum with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much pygeum?
If you or someone else has used too much pygeum, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Pygeum dietary supplements are made from the bark of the tree and may contain a wide range of doses. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take pygeum safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- Asian Journal of Andrology: “Biological effect of human serum collected before and after oral intake of Pygeum africanum on various benign prostate cell cultures.”
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia (Review).”
- European Medicines Agency: “European Union herbal monograph on Prunus africana (Hook f.) Kalkm., cortex.”
- Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis: “Chemical comparison of Prunus africana bark and pygeum products marketed for prostate health.”
- National Cancer Institute: Prostate Cancer, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplements (PDQ)–Health Professional Version,” “Prostate Cancer, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplements (PDQ)–Patient Version.”