African plum tree
Scientific Name: Pygeum Africanum
Other Names: PAE, Pygeum
Should I take it?
Pygeum africanum trees are tall evergreens that reach up to 150 feet in height. They grow in forested upper highland regions across Africa, often providing shade for the lower-growing coffee or cocoa bushes, which may be planted under Pygeum africanum deliberately. After flowering in the summer (which is winter in the Northern hemisphere), the trees bear large red or brownish fruits resembling plums. The fruits--which ripen in June, July, and August in Northern Africa, and later in countries that are more southern--are used for food by natives of the area as well as by birds and animals. The hard wood of the Pygeum africanum tree is used for buildings and tools. It also makes long-burning fuel.
The bark of Pygeum africanum is the part used for medicine. It is harvested from cut or living trees or from branches that have been cut for other uses. Unfortunately, taking extensive amounts of the bark from living trees usually kills the trees. In 1995, over-harvesting of wild Pygeum africanum prompted its placement on the international list of endangered species. Although most Pygeum africanum bark used in medicine still comes from wild trees, scientists in several countries are attempting to establish commercial forests that could be harvested in a controlled way. Specific areas of trees have been set aside for protection, as well.
Dosage and Administration
Pygeum africanum is available most commonly in capsules or as a liquid extract. Extracts are concentrated liquid preparations usually made by soaking chopped or mashed plant parts in a liquid such as alcohol, and then straining out the solid parts. Pygeum africanum is often combined with other herbals, such as saw palmetto, which are believed to have similar effects on the prostate.
Commercial Pygeum africanum preparations that are widely used in France and other European countries are standardized to contain 14% of triterpenes and 0.5% of n-docosanol. Standardization by the manufacturer should assure the same amount of active ingredient in every batch of the commercial preparation. Standardization of herbal products is not required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so not every product sold in the United States will contain the same amounts of active ingredients. Typical dosing for Pygeum africanum is 100 mg taken in one or two doses per day for periods of 6 weeks to 8 weeks.
Summary
Primarily, Pygeum africanum is used to relieve the symptoms of prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).
Risks
Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not take Pygeum africanum.
Side Effects
Pygeum africanum may cause nausea or stomach pain.
Interactions
No interactions have been identified between Pygeum africanum and prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, other herbal products, or foods.
Last Revised July 26, 2007
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Should I take it? 
