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Indications (Pygeum) — Alzheimer’s (1; COX; FNF); Arthrosis (1; COX; FNF); BPH (1; SHT;
VVG); Cancer (1; COX; FNF); Chest Pain (f; VVG); Congestion (1; SKY); Dysuria (1; SHT);
High Cholesterol (1; SHT); Inflammation (1; COX; FNF; SHT); Nocturia (1; SHT); Pain (f; VVG;
ZUL); Pollakisuria (1; SHT); Rib Ache (f; ZUL).
Dosages (Pygeum) — 100–200 mg/day StX (lipophilic); 50–100 mg StX (13% sterols calculated
as beta-sitosterol) 2 ×/day (SKY).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Pygeum) — “Devoid of severe side effects
... mutagenesis and teratogenesis” (SHT). Rare reports of GI irritation in clinical studies of lipophilic
extract (SKY). Varro Tyler cautioned against self medication with BPH. Whenever treating BPH a
practitioner should be involved. Base-line levels of PSA should be established before considering
an herbal treatment (JAD). Phytosterols, both free and conjugated, compete with androgen receptors
and inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. Pentacyclic terpenes, and crataegolic, oleanolic, and ursolic
acids inhibit inflammation by inhibiting the glucosyl transferase and beta-glucuronidase enzyme,
which are involved in depolymerizing connective proteoglycans. Ferulic acid esters of fatty alcohols
reduce prostate cholesterol, hindering androgen synthesis and reducing levels of the hormone
prolactin. Prolactin increases uptake of testosterone in the prostate, and cholesterol increases binding
sites for testosterone and its more active form, dihydrotestosterone (SHT; SKY). An important
source of the COX-2-Inhibitor, ursolic-acid (COX).
PYRETHRUM (Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Sch. Bip.) ++Synonyms: Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Vis., Pyrethrum cinerariifolium Trevir.
Activities (Pyrethrum) — Antiseptic (1; WO2); Ascaricide (1; CRC; HHB); Insecticide (1; CRC);
Myorelaxant (1; HHB); Neurotoxic (insect) (1; PHR); Parasiticide (1; CRC); Pediculicide (1; PHR;
PH2); Scabicide (1; PHR; PH2); Vermifuge (1; CRC; EFS; HHB).
Indications (Pyrethrum) — Ascaris (1; CRC; HHB); Bacteria (f; CRC); Dysentery (f; HHB);
Malaria (f; HHB); Parasite (1; CRC); Pediculosis (f; CRC; PHR; PH2); Scabies (f; CRC; PHR;
PH2); Tuberculosis (f; CRC); Worm (1; CRC; EFS; HHB).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Pyrethrum) — Not covered (AHP). “Hazards
and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (not given) (PH2). “Urticaria, asthma,
and rhinosis have been reportedly induced by pyrethrin and by working with pyrethrin preparations.
In humans, overdoses cause headache, tinnitus, facial pallor, epigastralgia, nausea, syncope, and
asphyxia. Overdoses of the powder will cause unconsciousness, albuminuria, pallor, collapse, slow
and heavy heartbeat, respiratory difficulties, and nausea” (CRC).