The body or ‘Sareera’ in Ayurveda means that which is degenerating. Sheeryate anena iti Sareeram. This degeneration is evident in human being around the age of forty-five; but becomes more significant by sixty, which is the starting point of Vridhavastha or old age. When Vata, which dominate all activities of the body, degeneration is far more than the body’s natural regeneration process. In the process of degeneration, some soft tissues take a position of over activation to produce its substances. When the body’s natural production capacity is lower, it produces more cells to produce its output.
Prostate gland is situated just below the urinary bladder wrapping around the urethra. The main function of the gland is to produce semen, the thin milky fluid to carry the reproductive sperm cells in male human beings. The prostate gland is the size and shape of a large walnut. There are three main morbidity conditions seen in Prostate glands:
- Inflammation – Prostatitis: where the gland get infected or inflamed. This is common between age groups of 25 to 45.
- Enlargement – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): where the gland slowly enlarges; it occurs generally after the age of 45.
- Prostate Cancer: This is seen generally after the age of 55.
In Ayurveda some of the clinical conditions that can be correlated to BPH are Muthragrandhi and Muthra krichra. Muthragrandhi is a shapeless growth above the urinary system where the most important symptom is difficulty in urination. “Muthra Krichra” or difficulty to urinate is very evident in this condition.
As per one of the studies, 50% Britons over 60 years old are affected and by the age of 80, 80% of men have the evidence of BPH.
Symptoms of Prostate Gland Enlargement
- Difficulty in passing urine.
- Thin flow of urine, which may stop the flow without completion.
- Pain and discomfort when passing urine.
- Urgency to pass urine.
- Passing urine quite often than normal especially at night.
- Passing of urine in drops without knowledge.
- Incontinence of urine and experiencing the feeling of not emptying the bladder fully.
How can one prevent the Prostate Gland Enlargement?
Over indulgence in conjugal life after 45 years of age can stimulate prostate glands to produce more fluid. This will prompt the body to produce more cells to produce more secretion. So a controlled sexual behavior is advisable after 45.
Prostate being a soft tissue, excess of Pitta predominant food after the age of 45 can inflame the prostate glands. Use of food, which are unctuous, easy to digest and mild helps in preventing this condition. Lot of fruits, soups of green gram and horse gram are also useful. Vegetables like Ash gourd are best in any form. The tender leaves of Ash gourd, which are not used these days, are very good as a side vegetable for regular use to prevent prostrate enlargement.
Acute prostatitis and BPH are two different conditions; but may show same kind of symptoms to lay persons. A medical expert can distinguish these conditions and also can rule-out prostrate cancer before starting any treatment.
Ayurvedic Medicines and Prostate Gland Enlargement
Ayurveda has excellent medication for this condition. Some of them, which can be prepared at home and used, are:
- Saliparni (Uraria hamosa), Prasni parni (Desmodium gangeticum), Brahatee Dwayam (Solanum indicum and Solanum Xanthocarpus): Mix the roots of these herbs (7 ½ gm each, easily available in raw drug stores), 100 ml. milk and 400 ml. of water, boil and reduce to 100 ml. and drink once in the morning, empty stomach and in the night at bedtime for 21 to 41 days.
- Mix Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Bilwa (Aegle marmelos), Zeera (Cuminum cyminum), Duralabha Root (Alhagi camelorum) and dried ginger each 100 gms, and dry well and powder finely to filter through a four times folded cotton cloth. Take a teaspoon of this medicine with fresh curds of cow before dinner for 21 days.
These two combinations are generally used effectively in the management of Prostate Gland Enlargement.
General Course of Action
If this condition is not treated in time, it can lead to complete stoppage of the urine output, which can lead to a condition called Acute Urinary retention. Also this condition can lead to the damage of kidneys due to in built pressure in the urinary tracts.
Generally, BPH is treated in acute conditions by surgery or by shrinking the gland with medicines or relaxing the channel with drugs. Medicines originally developed for hypertension are very successfully used in BPH. But, the people who are suffering from Hypertension cannot use this as it can cause side effects. The latest drug of choice is Alpha iA-adrenoceptor antagonist, which relaxes the urinary tract. For immediate relief in conditions of urine retention, oil massage with camphor is very useful. One should provide a wet & hot fomentation on the lower abdomen. If still not able to release urine, use of cucumber seed powdered and mixed with lemon juice can be applied on the abdomen. These are only for acute conditions where urine is not getting released.
If improvement is not seen within a months’ time, expert advice has to be sought.