Pygeum
Also known as: Pygeum africanum, Prunus africana, African plum tree bark, Tadenan
Effective Dosage
100 mg daily (or 50 mg twice daily)
What the Science Says
Pygeum is an extract from the bark of the African plum tree, traditionally used for urinary problems. Clinical trials show it can meaningfully reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — including nighttime urination, weak urine flow, and urgency — with improvements of roughly 35–46% in symptom scores after 2–12 months of use. At 100 mg daily, it appears to work as well as splitting the dose into 50 mg twice daily, and benefits may persist for at least a month after stopping treatment.
What It Doesn't Do
Won't shrink the prostate — studies show no significant change in prostate volume. Not a proven treatment for erectile dysfunction despite how it's sometimes marketed. No evidence it prevents or treats prostate cancer. Not a replacement for prescription BPH medications or medical evaluation. Most studies used it in combination with other herbs, so its standalone effect is harder to isolate.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Pygeum africanum bark extract has demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including reductions in IPSS scores (~35-46%), improved urinary flow rates, and reduced nocturia in multiple clinical trials (PMID: 10475357, PMID: 9787978). In vitro research using human serum collected after Pygeum intake showed inhibition of prostatic stromal myofibroblast proliferation and upregulation of tumor suppression pathways with downregulation of inflammation and oxidative stress genes (PMID: 22198631). Combination products containing Pygeum have also shown significant reductions in residual bladder volume and improvements in quality of life in BPH patients (PMID: 26492588).
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: 100 mg/day (once daily) or 50 mg twice daily based on clinical studies
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — active compounds have not been identified, making plasma concentration measurement impossible. One in vitro study confirmed that orally ingested pygeum produces serum levels sufficient to affect prostate cell behavior, suggesting meaningful absorption.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Animal toxicity study found elevated creatinine and LDH at higher doses (100 mg/kg in rats), suggesting potential kidney and cardiac muscle stress — human safety at high doses is not well established
- Most clinical trials used pygeum in multi-ingredient formulas (with saw palmetto, stinging nettle, etc.), making it difficult to attribute benefits to pygeum alone
- No large, long-term placebo-controlled RCTs exist for pygeum as a standalone ingredient — evidence base is smaller than for saw palmetto
- Not included in European or American urology treatment guidelines — do not use as a substitute for medical diagnosis or prescription therapy for BPH
- Marketed in some regions primarily as an erectile dysfunction supplement, a use with no clinical evidence from the provided studies
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06