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Abstract

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, primarily affecting older men. It frequently leads to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as increased urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, and weak urine flow, which can significantly impair quality of life. Standard treatments for BPH include alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and surgical interventions. However, limitations in efficacy and potential adverse effects have driven interest in complementary and traditional therapies, including Ayurveda. In Ayurvedic medicine, BPH is described as Mutraghata and Vatashthila, conditions attributed to an imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas that disrupt normal prostate and urinary function.

This review examines the therapeutic potential of various Ayurvedic herbs in BPH management, including Crataevanurvala, Bergenia ligulata, Moringa oleifera, Tribulus terrestris, Boerhaaviadiffusa, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Cucurbita pepo, Solanum lycopersicum, and Serenoa repens. The bioactive compounds in these plants act through multiple mechanisms, such as inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, regulating androgen levels, reducing inflammation, providing antioxidant effects, and modulating apoptosis. Collectively, these actions help alleviate urinary symptoms and may slow disease progression. Herbal formulations like Gokshuradi Vati and Dhanyaka-GokshuraGhrita Matra Basti, along with Panchakarma therapies such as Uttarbasti, Virechana, and Basti, complement these pharmacological effects by restoring dosha balance and improving urinary function.

The review also considers clinical and ethnopharmacological evidence supporting these interventions, emphasizing the need for standardized herbal preparations and rigorously designed long-term studies. By bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific research, Ayurvedic phytotherapy emerges as a safe and holistic approach to BPH management. It offers a potential adjunct or alternative to conventional therapies, aiming to improve quality of life while minimizing adverse effects.

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