Prostate Problems and Herbs

Men, as early as 35, can start to develop prostate problems, which can lead to long-term misery, cancer and death.  This is not just an old man’s problem anymore. This article is dedicated to saving lives with the promotion of herbal relief for the many who do not have medical insurance, and/or do not envision surgery to remove the prostate thereby losing their reproductive function and sex life.

Surprisingly many women know more about the prostate than men, perhaps they are more plumbing oriented and men remain in their attitude of invincibility, and macho themes.

To understand the prostate let us start with a nine-year-old male who, as a normal developing process starts to paint his name on a fence backdrop. This often becomes a subject of conversation with other boys who can pee higher.  Yes, Moms, this is what boys do.  As the boy ages his force of stream remains constant, but eventually due to genetic factors, industrial pollutants, poor diet bereft of necessary minerals and vitamins, too much fat and no exercise, he becomes a candidate for future prostate problems as well as other major health issues.

The first symptoms may appear as early as 35. Although as the man ages through the middle years, and predictably towards 60, the force of stream diminishes down to a dribble, and he is peeing on his shoes.

A physical prostate exam by a medical doctor is of course warranted.  The Good Doctor will provide a digital index exam through the anus and message the prostate gland to determine if there is any hardness, swelling, growths, and discuss other symptoms such as burning on urination, physical deformities, force of stream, dribbling and sexual activeness. The Good Doctor will take a blood sample for a PSA test to determine if the disorder has cancer cells.  If not, then he is lucky, and the disorder is known as a Benign Hypertrophy prostate (BHP). He can look forward to a life of increasing symptomatic misery, surgery or early death, although many men are far into their 80’s as this is a slow developing disorder. 

It is interesting to note that for centuries it has been recorded that lack of sexual activity promotes prostate disorders, often referred to, or known as the “Priest’s Disease”.  This is the “use it, or lose it” theory.

The prostate is an encompassing gland that surrounds the urethra from the bladder.  Upon sexual arousal the prostate serves two functions: It squeezes off the urethra thereby preventing any urine secretion during an erection and produces the thick seminal fluid to mix with sperm cells from for the fertilization of the ova.  Although sperm is produced on into the 80’s, old men are more often likely to have damaged sperm and produce children with bi-polar and schizophrenics disorders.  

Sperm starts to show deterioration about age 30 (usually in males with higher health issues).  The best baby making time is apparently in the younger reproductive years, age 22 for women, and men a bit older. Young teens are advised to wait. Discuss this with your physician.

Lest you become incensed at this medical fact, consider that in olden times by the time you made 40 years of age you were an old, old man.  It was not until the 1940’s where life picked up to age 61 as a life expectancy. Perhaps this is a normal weeding out process of selection.

As BHP develops the prostate starts to enlarge, with swelling and closing the urethra making urination difficult.  Frequent trips to the bathroom at night invite sleep disorders and interrupt necessary rest.  The prostate continues to swell and backs into the bladder, reducing its capacity and signals sharp pains, but you cannot drain the bladder as it is tipped up and the pain continues.

This full bladder syndrome, since it cannot become completely empty, collects urine plaque and particulates that the kidneys expel.  These particulates of waste from the body’s natural function may be a cause of bladder cancer necessitating more surgery and carrying an external bladder hooked on a belt.

Relief at any stage may be obtained by purchasing the SMALL FLOWERED WILLOW-HERB (Epilobium parviflorum) from Swedish Bitters Herb Co. 110 Bismark Street, Concordia, MO 64020. Phone 800-944-1511. www.SwedishBitters.com . They offer the entire plant to be infused as a tea and drunk twice a day, one cup in the morning and one cup before supper.  They also offer a tincture, which is nice for traveling.  Best of all you can buy seeds.

The Small Flowered Willow Herb is a specific for prostate relief and is said to reverse the process underway.  As a personal testament I find relief of symptoms by the third day and yes, I am ready to paint my name on the barn wall. Once relief is found the sufferer will note that the bladder is draining completely and a dark residue will be evacuated. 

To grow your own Small Flowered Willow Herb, select patches of garden-weed free-and press the tiny seeds into the damp earth in the spring.  The entire plant is used at harvest, but it is best cut mid length as it will sprout outward for a second cutting, and of course you want to save seeds for next years crop too. Place the seeded heads in a brown paper bag and shake. Collect the seeds, ignore any chaff, and store on a dry shelf, marking the bag so you know what it is next spring. Beware of mice who love this plant.

Another wonderful source for this special plant seed is: Horizon Herbs, LLC, PO Box 69, Williams, OR  97544-0069. Phone (541) 846-6704. www.horizonherbs.com .

“Making Plant Medicine” by Rico Cech at the Horizon Herbs bookstore is a very best informative herbal reference.

Eating the right foods-many of these you may grow in your garden encourages prostate health. Recommended are: avocado, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, flax, garlic, grapefruit, grapes, mushrooms, onions, peppers, pomegranate, pumpkin, rye, sesame, soy, spinach, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, turmeric, walnuts and watermelon.

Our President, George W. Bush has declared September as “prostate Awareness Month”.  Let’s get the word out.

Make a hard copy of this for later reference and/or mail to Grand Dad, and other older men who may be suffering in silence. They will bless you.

Contact me at: back2theland@swva.net 

Articles at: www.Back2theLand.com

Copyright:  2008, Back2theLand, Mark Steel