Supplement Hound Sniffing out the Best Supplements
If you’re looking for the best pygeum supplements to buy this year, then you’ve come to the right place.
You can also get more info by jumping to our Pygeum Supplements Guide.
Top 10 Pygeum Supplements
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| #1 |  |
Swanson Premium Pygeum | Get it on Amazon |
| #2 |  |
NOW Foods Pygeum and Saw Palmetto | Get it on Amazon |
| #3 |  |
Solaray Pygeum and Saw Palmetto | Get it on Amazon |
| #4 |  |
Herbal Secrets Herbal Secrets African Pygeum Extract | Get it on Amazon |
| #5 |  |
Country Life Saw Palmetto and Pygeum Extract | Get it on Amazon |
| #6 |  |
Vital Nutrients – Saw Palmetto / Pygeum | Get it on Amazon |
| #7 |  |
Oregon’s Wild Harvest Saw Palmetto/Pygeum | Get it on Amazon |
| #8 |  |
Nutrissence Pygeum and Saw Palmetto | Get it on Amazon |
| #9 |  |
Phytoral Natural Prostate Support for Men | Get it on Amazon |
| #10 |  |
Naturetition Supplements Pygeum Bark | Get it on Amazon |
Pygeum Supplements Guide
Pygeum is an herbal dietary supplement prepared from the plant Prunus africana (or, alternately, Pygeum africanum). The woody evergreen tree is native to high elevations in central and southern Africa and the island of Madagascar, and pygeum is extracted from the bark. It bears small, white flowers and red fruits that resemble cherries. The fruit is not used in dietary supplements, and although it is edible, it is rarely eaten by human beings because the taste is unpalatable.
Pygeum has been used as a folk remedy for urinary problems and other health conditions. The traditional method of consumption by indigenous Africans is to grind the bark of the tree into a powder and drink the powder in a tea.
Wild Prunus africana plants have become endangered due to overharvesting for the dietary supplement trade. If possible, consumers who choose to use pygeum supplements should look for extracts that come from farmed, rather than wild, stocks of Prunus africana. Tree farms and plantations have been established to help fight the irresponsible harvesting of bark from the wild trees, which can grow up to 150 feet high.
What is a Pygeum Supplement?
Informal names for the plant from which pygeum supplements are derived include African cherry, African prune, and African plum tree. The tree is actually a member of the rose family.
Precautions
Side effects of taking pygeum supplements include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. These side effects are relatively rare, typically mild, and rarely stop the user from taking the dietary supplement.
Not enough research has been done to determine if pygeum supplements interact with any other prescription drugs or herbal dietary supplements. Pygeum supplements are thought to interact with cytochrome p450. The cytochrome p450 enzyme interacts with drugs and potentially toxic substances in the liver, meaning it can potentially interact with prescription drugs. Those who use prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before beginning to use pyreum supplements.
Because pygeum supplements are thought to act like phyto-estrogens in the body, those who have certain types of hormone-sensitive cancers may want to avoid using pygeum supplements. Those with a history of breast, uterine, or prostate cancers should discuss any use of herbal dietary supplements, including pygeum supplement, with their health care providers before starting a new supplement.
All herbal dietary supplements, including pygeum supplements, carry some risk of allergic reaction. Signs of allergic reaction include breathing problems, chest pain, hives, itchy skin, rash, swollen skin, and tightness in the chest or throat. Anyone who experiences these symptoms after taking pygeum supplements should treat this as a medical emergency and seek urgent medical attention immediately.
Pregnancy and Breast Feeding
Not enough information is known about the effects of pygeum on people who are pregnant or breast feeding to say conclusively that pygeum supplements aresafe for these conditions. Pregnant and nursing women may want to avoid pygeum supplements until more research has been conducted.
Always speak with a medical professional or doctor before taking any supplements. Always read the product label for instructions and directions.
Taking Pygeum Supplements
Pygeum supplements are typically available in liquid extract, capsule, and tablet form. The supplements are available in health food stores and some drug stores.
What to Look for in a Good Pygeum Supplement
The active ingredients in a quality pygeum supplement should include 0.5% n-docosanol and 14% triterpenes. Extracts of pygeum should be liophilic, i.e. able to be absorbed by the fatty tissues of the body. As with all herbal dietary supplements, people who wish to use this supplement should check with their health care providers before starting a pygeum supplement regimen.
Herbal dietary supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same way that foods and prescription medications are. Some third-party consumer organizations test herbal dietary supplements for safety and consistent amounts of the active ingredients listed on the labels. These organizations are U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), NSW International, and ConsumerLab.com. Consumers should look for the seal of approval of at least one of these organizations on supplements.
