InfoSynergy
Saw Palmetto
Pygeum and saw palmetto are commonly combined for BPH symptom support.
Recommendation: Use a single formula with disclosed doses and reassess after 8-12 weeks.
Pygeum Africanum
Herb ·Moderate evidence ·Reviewed May 2026
Pygeum Africanum is an extract from Prunus africana bark used for lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Older randomized trials and a Cochrane review suggest short-term improvements in nocturia, urinary symptoms, and flow measures, but trial reporting quality and long-term outcome data are limited. It should not replace evaluation for prostate cancer, infection, urinary retention, or kidney complications.
What it's good for
What to watch for
- Nausea
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Prostate cancer symptoms, hematuria, urinary retention, fever, or kidney dysfunction without medical evaluation1
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: may reduce nocturia in bph, may improve urinary symptom scores, may improve peak urinary flow modestly. 3 sources indexed (2000–2005), with 3 interaction records on file.
The science
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Pygeum extracts contain phytosterols, triterpenes, fatty acids, and ferulic esters that may reduce inflammatory mediators, affect bladder contractility, and influence growth factor signaling in prostate tissue. Its clinical effects appear symptomatic rather than proven disease modification. Sustainability and adulteration concerns matter because Prunus africana bark harvesting has conservation implications.2,1
Class
African plum bark extract for BPH symptoms
Found in food
No food source; used as bark extract
Low-status signs
None - pygeum is not an essential nutrient and has no deficiency state
Absorption
Water-soluble; take with food
Dosing
Dosing & protocol.
Common range
50 mg twice daily or 100 mg once daily of standardized pygeum bark extract
Recommended form
Standardized Prunus africana bark lipidosterolic extract from a responsible source
Take with food to reduce GI upset. Choose products that disclose Prunus africana and extract standardization.
Forms
Forms & what to buy.
Ranked by evidence and value.
Standardized Pygeum Bark Extract Capsule Recommended
Best match to older clinical products when standardized to lipidosterolic extract. Take with meals.
Prostate Blend with Pygeum
Commonly includes saw palmetto, nettle root, pumpkin seed, or zinc; attribution is difficult. Review duplicate ingredients.
Low-Standardization Bark Powder
Less clinically interpretable because active lipidosterolic content is unclear. Take with food.
Cost
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized pygeum bark extract capsule.
BudgetBest value
$6 /mo
$0.20 per dose
Mid
$15 /mo
$0.50 per dose
Premium
$36 /mo
$1.20 per dose
Responsibly sourced standardized extracts tend to cost more than generic bark powders. Updated 2026-06-04.
Goals
Goal-based dosing.
Nocturia Support
Dose: 50 mg twice daily1
Timing: Morning and evening with meals
Track nighttime urination for 6-8 weeks.
BPH Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Dose: 100 mg/day1
Timing: With food
Use alongside medical evaluation if symptoms are moderate, progressive, or new.
Prostate Formula Adjunct
Dose: 25-50 mg/day in formulas
Timing: With meals
Choose one formula rather than stacking multiple BPH products.
Lab work
Markers to track.
What to test, the optimal window inside the conventional range, and how long a response takes.
Prostate-Specific Antigen PSA
Used for safety evaluation rather than expected supplement response.
Optimal
0–2.5 ng/mL
Conventional
0–4 ng/mL
Responds in
Baseline and clinician-directed follow-up
0optimal4
Do not use pygeum to self-treat elevated PSA or possible cancer symptoms.
UrinalysisCreatininePostvoid residual
Why people use it
Symptoms it's matched to.
Where this appears in the symptom-to-supplement map, ranked by relevance.
Nighttime urination
64% relevance
May reduce BPH-related nocturia through urinary tract and prostate effects.1
SleepModerate evidenceStandardized pygeum extract
Evaluate non-prostate causes when nocturia is prominent.
Weak urinary stream
55% relevance
Older trials reported improved urinary flow measures.1,3
HormoneEmerging evidenceStandardized bark extract
Progressive obstruction requires medical care.
Urinary urgency
43% relevance
May reduce irritative LUTS in BPH populations.1
HormoneEmerging evidencePygeum extract capsule
Burning, fever, or pelvic pain suggests other diagnoses.
Safety
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nausea
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Headache
- Allergic rash
Contraindications
- Prostate cancer symptoms, hematuria, urinary retention, fever, or kidney dysfunction without medical evaluation1
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Known allergy to Prunus species
- Use before urologic procedures without clinician review
Interactions
Interaction records.
InfoSynergy
Zinc
Zinc is often included in prostate formulas, but direct clinical synergy with pygeum is not established.
Recommendation: Avoid chronic high-dose zinc and account for zinc from multivitamins.
ModerateCaution
Garlic Extract
Pygeum is usually well tolerated, but combining multiple supplements before urologic procedures can complicate bleeding and medication review.
Recommendation: Stop nonessential supplements before procedures according to clinician instructions and disclose all products.
Sources
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasiaNeeds reviewNo linkWilt T et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2002
Trials suggested improvements in urinary symptoms and nocturia, but long-term outcomes were not established.
Randomized controlled trials
1- 2Evaluating the efficiency of a combination of Pygeum africanum and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) extracts in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trialNeeds reviewNo linkMelo EA et al. · International Brazilian Journal of Urology · 2005
A combination product was evaluated for BPH symptom outcomes.
Reviews & position papers
1- 3Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasiaNeeds reviewNo linkWilt TJ et al. · Public Health Nutrition · 2000
Review summarized evidence for pygeum and other BPH phytotherapies, emphasizing limitations in trial quality.
Keep exploring
Deep dives & adjacent profiles.
This page is educational. Do not start, stop, or change a supplement or medication based on it without checking with a qualified healthcare professional.
Use this with your stack
Pygeum Africanum in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.