For many patients, the standard treatments for prostate cancer: drugs, radiation and surgery, often come with side effects. Therefore, some patients want to learn about natural remedies to reduce treatment-related side effects, such as herbs and natural dietary supplements.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that is found in high levels in some fruits and vegetables, especially cooked tomatoes. Studies have found that cancer rates are lower if the diet contains high amounts of tomatoes and other lycopene-rich fruits. Some researchers even believe that lycopene may slow the growth of prostate cancer.
Pomegranate juice
After animal studies showed that pomegranate was effective in slowing the growth of cancer cells in mice, and studies on human cells showed similar effects, researchers considered using pomegranate extract to treat cancer. Pomegranate juice is as readily available as lycopene and is not harmful to humans.
Palm fruit
Antioxidants are considered a potentially effective complementary therapy for prostate conditions that include benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate enlargement. American men rely more heavily on the use of the stuffed palm herb for prostate enlargement than other natural remedies, but there is no evidence yet that stuffed palm can prevent or treat prostate cancer. The most common side effect of sepium is mild indigestion.
African plum tree
The African plum tree is also known as the “African prickly plum”. In Africa, its bark is traditionally used to treat urinary and bladder disorders associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. In Europe, compounds derived from the bark of the African plum tree are widely used to relieve symptoms associated with BPH, such as daytime and nocturnal urinary frequency. Side effects of African plum bark extract include nausea and stomach upset.
While some related clinical trials are also underway, it is worth noting that as of now there is no evidence that natural treatments can slow the progression of prostate cancer, much less cure it.