Middle-aged men often recognize the first symptoms of prostatitis associated with having to urinate frequently during the night or even during the day. Inflammation of the prostate gland is the cause of this need for frequent urination problem, but it can be overcome using home remedies for prostatitis.
Keep in mind that these remedies are not to be seen as all-inclusive cures for all prostate problems, in some cases, an inflamed prostate could be related to other health issues, including cancer and are best treated by a healthcare professional.
1. Basil
One of the best and most common anti-inflammatory herbs found in many kitchens is basil or sweet basil. Not only does basil help to reduce the inflammation associated with prostatitis, but can also combat prostate cancer and tumor problems.
What to do:
- Use basil in soups, salads and main dishes
- In addition, you can add basil to juice or smoothies to give them a boost.
- 1 to 2 tsp of basil in juice or powdered form on a daily basis.
2. Green Tea
Among the most beneficial home remedies for prostatitis is green tea. The potent antioxidants in green tea help to reduce the size of your prostate while protecting you against the risk of developing prostate cancer. An added benefit is that green tea helps to control excess urination.
What to do:
- Brew 2 to 3 cups of green tea from tea bags or leaves and drink them on a daily basis.
- Matcha green tea is even more powerful and should be considered as well.
3. Corn Silk
The consumption of corn silk is another way to ward off prostatitis. Corn silks help to reduce inflammation in both the prostate and the urinary tract.
What to do:
- Take the silks from 6 ears of corn and boil them in 1 quart of water for 10 minutes.
- Strain the silks from the water and retain the water in a quart jar.
- Drink 2 cups of this water daily.
4. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are another potent remedy to combat that inflamed prostate. Phytosterols found in pumpkin seeds have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Pumpkin seeds also include chemicals that inhibit the transformation of testosterone in dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a primary component of an enlarged prostate.
What to do:
- Consume about 80 grams of pumpkin seeds in a baked, powdered or raw form on a daily basis.
NOTE: If you have excessive urination from the use of diuretics, pumpkin seeds might exacerbate the problem.
5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a very convenient ingredient among the home remedies for prostatitis because most everyone enjoys the taste of tomatoes. The lycopene found in tomatoes is a potent antioxidant, which helps to reduce the size of the prostate and protects against cancer. In addition, tomatoes also help to control excess urination.
What to do:
- Consume a 10 to 12 oz. glass of freshly extracted tomato juice on a daily basis.
- Consume salads, soups, and entrees that feature tomatoes as a major ingredient in the dish.
- You will find that a lot of Italian dishes will have both tomatoes and basil as main ingredients.
6. Watermelon Seeds
Don’t throw those watermelon seeds away, especially if you have issues with prostatitis. Watermelon seeds contain antioxidants which help cleanse your bladder and urinary tract and reduce inflammation of the prostate.
What to do:
- Consume 1 to 2 Tbsp of raw watermelon seeds daily.
- An alternative would be to add 1 Tbsp of raw watermelon seeds to 1 ½ cups of boiling water.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Drink this water daily for 10 days.
7. Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are another source of relief for an inflamed prostate. In addition to having potent antioxidants for preventing prostate cancer, sesame seeds also have anti-inflammatory qualities to shrink the size of your prostate.
What to do:
- Soak 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds in water overnight.
- The following morning, thoroughly chew the seeds before swallowing them.
- You can repeat this daily.
- In addition, you can sprinkle sesame seeds over soups or salads.
- Also, consider cooking with sesame seed oil in place of vegetable oil.
8. Carrot Juice
Carrot juice is also a simple and potent item among the home remedies for prostatitis. Carrots contain a powerful antioxidant known as beta-carotene and lycopene, which are known to combat the development of prostate cancer as well as reduce prostate inflammation. In addition, the high content of potassium in carrots also helps to shrink the swollen prostate.
What to do:
- Extract the juice from 4 large carrots in a blender or juicer.
- Drink this juice daily.
- Adding carrots along with beets, tomatoes, parsley, and basil in your juicer or blender can create a very powerful and beneficial remedy for prostatitis.
9. Stinging Nettle
Though stinging nettle does not reduce the size of your swollen prostate, it is known to help with some of the major symptoms of prostatitis. Urination issues, such as, painful urination or frequent urination can be helped through the consumption of stinging nettle.
What to do:
- To begin with, be sure to wear gloves when working with stinging nettle as they can cause severe rash and irritation if they come in contact with the skin.
- Add 1 cup of stinging nettles into 2 cups of boiling water.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Strain the leaves and drink the tea, adding lemon and honey to your preference.
- Repeat this daily.
10. Goldenseal
Another herb that is featured among the best home remedies for prostatitis is goldenseal. Besides helping to shrink the swollen gland, goldenseal has antibiotic properties that are able to combat a possible infection. Along with these benefits, it can also help with urination issues.
What to do:
- Boil 2 to 3 cups of water in a kettle.
- Add 1 tsp of powdered goldenseal to a mug.
- Pour the boiling water into the mug and allow the tea to steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain and drink the tea daily.
11. Kegel Exercises
Male Kegel exercises are also beneficial when it comes to treating prostatitis. By strengthening the pelvic floor, you can reduce prostate size as well as eliminate urination issues by increasing circulation to the area.
What to do:
- Be sure that your bladder is empty before performing these exercises.
- Lie down and clench the muscle which you would typically tighten in order to stop urination midstream.
- Hold the clench for 3 seconds and then relax for 5 seconds before repeating.
- Repeat 5 repetitions of this exercise 3 times per day.
12. Turmeric
A potent herb with tons of inflammation-reducing quality is turmeric. The curcumin found in turmeric is one of the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds known, even more powerful than cortisones and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but without their side effects. Turmeric also has antioxidants to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.
What to do:
- You can make tea using fresh turmeric root.
- As an alternative, you can add 1 tsp of turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper to a glass of warm milk.
- Stir continually while drinking this milk as the turmeric will not dissolve in the milk.
- Repeat either of these remedies twice daily.
13. Drink Water
Believe it or not, drinking water is also among the most effective home remedies for prostatitis. Though it seems that drinking water will only increase your urination problems, it actually has the opposite effect over time. Water helps to flush out the buildup of toxins causing prostatitis and helps shrink the swollen gland.
What to do:
- Drink 1 12 oz. glass of water first thing in the morning before drinking or eating anything else.
- Drink an additional 12 oz. glass of water every 2 hours throughout the day until you have consumed 7 glasses.
- Repeat this daily.
14. Saw Palmetto
An herbal remedy which is especially effective at reducing enlarged prostate is saw palmetto. Besides helping to ease the associated symptoms of painful urine flow, saw palmetto is also a potent anti-inflammatory agent which will help decrease the size of your prostate.
What to do:
- Saw palmetto can be consumed by brewing it in a tea.
- Saw palmetto supplements are also available in a dosage of 160 mg twice daily.
15. Bee Pollen
Bee pollen might be among the very best home remedies for prostatitis. Loaded with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-androgen properties, bee pollen is also among the most potent remedies for all forms of inflammation. It also stands beside turmeric in effectiveness when compared to cortisone and NSAIDs.
What to do:
- Add bee pollen into smoothies, cottage cheese, yogurt or juice to consume it.
- The recommended amount for the best results is 1 tsp 3 times per day.
Conclusion
If you are tired of having your sleep and other activities interrupted due to frequent urination or suffer pain when you urinate, it is time to do something about your enlarged prostate. By making use of one or several of these 15 home remedies for prostatitis, you can break free from the condition and get back on track with your regular routine. Also, don’t forget to add your comments, questions and success stories to the section below.
Images source: depositphotos.com