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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Switch from phytotherapy to tamsulosin in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH).

The aim of this observational prospective study was to evaluate the switch from phytotherapy to tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily (o.d.) on efficacy, sexual function and tolerability in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) who have a poor response to at least 4 weeks of phytotherapy. The switch to tamsulosin 0.4 mg o.d. improves LUTS and related quality of life. Sexual function is also slightly improved. Tamsulosin is as well tolerated as phytotherapy and abnormal ejaculation appears to be no problem. Tamsulosin is perceived by both patients and urologists to be superior to preceding phytotherapy.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed2005

Traditional phytotherapy and trans-cultural pharmacy among Turkish migrants living in Cologne, Germany.

This article reports on an ethnopharmaceutical field study carried out among Turkish migrants in Cologne, western Germany, which recorded 79 botanical taxa and 115 plant-based preparations, encompassing 167 folk phytotherapeutical uses, as well as a few other biological (animal and mineral derived) remedies. One-fourth of the recorded remedies were represented by food-medicines. Half of the ingredients quoted came originally from Turkey; only a few plants were gathered from the wild or cultivated in the Cologne area. This article discusses the Turkish migrants' frequent use of aerial parts of Sideritis species, the fruits of Pistacia terebinthus and the seeds of Peganum harmala from the perspective of modern phytopharmacology, phytotherapy and toxicology. It considers cultural adaptation related to the use of folk pharmaceuticals by analysing the ingredients of the Turkish folk pharmacopoeia and comparing them with those of the Turkish medical ethnobotany and of the phytotherapy of the host country (Germany). Only one third of the remedies mentioned by Turkish migrants living in Cologne are also known in German evidence-based phytotherapy, and less than 10% of the recorded phytotherapeutic uses are common to both pharmacopoeias. This article concludes by suggesting hypotheses on future changes affecting the knowledge and use of medicinal plants within the Turkish community of Cologne.

Culture↗
PubMed2002

Phytotherapy in chronic prostatitis.

Chronic prostatitis is a very common condition that is poorly understood and has a significant impact on quality of life. Given the lack of proven efficacy of conventional therapies, such as antibiotics, it is not surprising that patients have turned with increasing frequency to phytotherapy and other alternative treatments. Although alternative therapies are plentiful, few have been subjected to scientific scrutiny and prospective controlled clinical trials. This review will cover phytotherapies commonly used in prostatitis patients and focus in detail on those with published data. These treatments include zinc, cernilton (bee pollen), quercetin, and saw palmetto. Although many of these therapies appear promising in small preliminary studies, phytotherapy requires the same scientific criteria for validation and acceptance as do conventional medical therapies.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2000

Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of phytotherapeutic compounds used to treat men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). DESIGN: Randomized trials were identified searching MEDLINE (1966--1997), EMBASE, Phytodok, the Cochrane Library, bibliographies of identified trials and review articles, and contact with relevant authors and drug companies. The studies were included if men had symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, the intervention was a phytotherapeutic preparation alone or combined, a control group received placebo or other pharmacologic therapies for BPH, and the treatment duration was at least 30 days. Key data were extracted independently by two investigators. RESULTS: A total of 44 studies of six phytotherapeutic agents (Serenoa repens, Hypoxis rooperi, Secale cereale, Pygeum africanum, Urtica dioica, Curcubita pepo) met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Many studies did not report results in a method allowing meta-analysis. Serenoa repens, extracted from the saw palmetto, is the most widely used phytotherapeutic agent for BPH. A total of 18 trials involving 2939 men were reviewed. Compared with men receiving placebo, men taking Serenoa repens reported greater improvement of urinary tract symptoms and flow measures. Serenoa repens decreased nocturia (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -0.76 times per evening; 95% CI = -1.22 to -0.32; n = 10 studies) and improved peak urine flow (WMD = 1.93 ml s(-1); 95% CI = 0.72 to 3.14, n = 8 studies). Men treated with Serenoa repens rated greater improvement of their urinary tract symptoms versus men taking placebo (risk ratio of improvement = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.21 to 2.44, n = 8 studies). Improvement in symptoms of BPH was comparable to men receiving the finasteride. Hypoxis rooperi (n = 4 studies, 519 men) was also demonstrated to be effective in improving symptom scores and flow measures compared with placebo. For the two studies reporting the International Prostate Symptom Score, the WMD was -4.9 IPSS points (95% CI = -6.3 to -3.5, n = 2 studies) and the WMD for peak urine flow was 3.91 ml s(-1) (95% CI = 0.91 to 6.90, n = 4 studies). Secale cereale (n = 4 studies, 444 men) was found to modestly improve overall urological symptoms. Pygeum africanum (n = 17 studies, 900 men) may be a useful treatment option for BPH. However, review of the literature has found inadequate reporting of outcomes which currently limit the ability to estimate its safety and efficacy. The studies involving Urtica dioica and Curcubita pepo are limited although these agents may be effective combined with other plant extracts such as Serenoa and Pygeum. Adverse events due to phytotherapies were reported to be generally mild and infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: Randomized studies of Serenoa repens, alone or in combination with other plant extracts, have provided the strongest evidence for efficacy and tolerability in treatment of BPH in comparison with other phytotherapies. Serenoa repens appears to be a useful option for improving lower urinary tract symptoms and flow measures. Hypoxis rooperi and Secale cereale also appear to improve BPH symptoms although the evidence is less strong for these products. Pygeum africanum has been studied extensively but inadequate reporting of outcomes limits the ability to conclusively recommend it. There is no convincing evidence supporting the use of Urtica dioica or Curcubita pepo alone for treatment of BPH. Overall, phytotherapies are less costly, well tolerated and adverse events are generally mild and infrequent. Future randomized controlled trials using standardized preparations of phytotherapeutic agents with longer study durations are needed to determine their long-term effectiveness in the treatment of BPH.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

[Complementary medicine: phytotherapy and soyaisoflavones as phytoestrogens].

After a introduction concerning complementary medicine, naturopathy and phytotherapy a general view of soy isoflavones as phytoestrogens will be given. In german speaking countries the term and topic naturopathy has a tradition of 150 years regarding theoretical development and practical use among lay people and health professionals in European culture. In contrary the term complementary medicine has been used for approximately 15 years in englisch speaking countries as a kind of collective name for European and Non-European medical cultures and traditions. Complementay medicine summarizes a huge variety of cultural, medical and qualitywise different medical methods and treatments which can be a contribution to conventional medicine. One of the oldest and intensly researched fields in European and Non-European complementary medicine is the use of herbal drugs (phytotherapy). Soy isoflavones serve as an example to show the differences between phytotherapy based on multicompounds and dietary supplements (neutraceuticals) based on monosubstances. The differing preparations of soy isoflavones are not phytotherapeutic medicine. A review of the experimental and clinical data concerning soy isoflavones as phytoestrogens for the prevention of cancer, menopausal complaints, osteoporosis or cardiovascular diseases indicates that the consumption of food containing phytoestrogens seems to be health protective. Yet, the relevance of supplementation of single phytoestrogens for an additional health effect is not sufficiently proven.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[Every day use of phytotherapy in a rural population].

The aims of this study are to analyze the use of phytotherapy and the context of its utilization in a rural area population--MG; to identify the herbs used with more frequency and their forms of use; to compare the results of medicinal herbs with that described in literature. Thirty three people were interviewed in 1997. About the phytotherapy herbs known by them 106 different species were quoted, and 60 of them were effectively used in their routine. the transmission of knowledge related to the use of the herbs occurred basically from grandparents to the children. The phytotherapy was used by the population studied with similar purposes described in the literature aiming the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The current views on the role and importance of phytotherapy in the structure of scientific medicine].

Phytotherapy, in spite of a long-continued employment in empirical and scientific medicine, does not have distinct scientific doctrine, conceptual strategies and tactics of use in practical treatment. Ways and means of phytotherapy are more often than not regarded as adjuncts to pharmacotherapy. In connection with formation during recent decades of new concepts of pathogenetic essence of pathological processes as of combined disturbances in biochemical reactions,--at the membrane and cell level in the first place, the role and value of phytotherapy as an independent method and means of metabolic therapy is considered in a new perspective.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

[Herbal remedies in veterinary phytotherapy].

Phytotherapy is based on the use of herbal remedies (phytopharmaceuticals) for therapy and prophylactic measures of illness in humans and animals. Animal owners as well as veterinarians (surgeons) are more and more interested in veterinary phytotherapy. The following review explains fundamentals of veterinary phytotherapy as well as the production, application and possible side-effects of veterinary herbal remedies (veterinary phytopharmaceuticals).

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed2002

Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Phytotherapy has become a more popular treatment option among American men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The most popular herbal agent is saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), which is derived from the berry of the American dwarf palm tree. Pygeum africanum and beta-sitosterol are also used by many patients with BPH, either alone or in combination with saw palmetto. A significant limiting factor to our understanding of the use and effectiveness of phytotherapy is the lack of standardization of these products. Despite this lack of standardization and the variation in results that may be seen with herbal products, there is growing evidence from well-conducted clinical trials that phytotherapeutic agents may lead to subjective and objective symptom improvement beyond a placebo effect in men with BPH. In addition, histologic evidence has been presented demonstrating that saw palmetto causes atrophy and epithelial contraction within the prostate gland. Overall, it is likely that herbal therapy will continue to be used by a growing number of Americans to treat a variety of ailments. Physicians should attempt to remain open-minded regarding alternative approaches and educate themselves so that they may counsel patients in an informed and credible fashion.

Androgen Antagonists↗
PubMed2003

Medical management of urolithiasis, what opportunity for phytotherapy?

Urolithiasis is the formation of stones in the urinary tract, causing pain and bleeding, and may lead to secondary infection. It is the third most common affliction of the urinary tract. Of many types of stones that are formed, the most common are calcium oxalate. The formation of such concretion encompasses several physico-chemical events beginning with crystal nucleation, growth, aggregation, and ending by retention within urinary tract. The mechanisms governing the induction of all these processes remain speculative. One of the important phenomena that characterizes urolithiasis is its high recurrence. Thus, a protective system is required including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and medicament treatment. Unfortunately, these means remain costly and in most cases are invasive and with side effects. Therefore, it is worthwhile to look for an alternative to these conventional methods by using medicinal plants or phytotherapy. In fact, many developing countries including China use herbal medicines which have gained popularity in Europe and are becoming increasingly in the United States as well. As far as urolithiasis is concerned, several herbal treatments seem to cure lithiasis patients. Nevertheless, the effectiveness and the mechanism by which these plants work has not been fully undertaken by using scientific and objective methods. Therefore, it is highly recommended to explore new drugs coming from medicinal plants to treat and prevent the formation of kidney stones. Ideally, conventional and phytotherapy should supplement one another and have all the need available for lithiasis patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Complementary therapies. Phytotherapy].

This article provides insight into the concept of phytotherapy, analyzing the generic term from a pharmaceutical viewpoint and explaining what the "totum" of a plant is. This article also mentions the role of phytotherapy over the course of medical history, what the correct criteria are for preparing a medicinal drink, bearing in mind very practical aspects for all of us, such as: the number of plants to include in a medicinal drink, the manner to prepare one, dosage, toxicity, effectiveness, time period to drink one over, etc. This article is of interest to health professionals and to all those who are drawn to the medicinal, healthy power plants possess.

Humans↗