Across 3 review studies, Pygeum bark shows mixed evidence for improving lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. One study reported a moderate beneficial effect, while two found no significant benefit, yielding a neutral overall effect direction with predominantly small effect sizes. Doses, study durations, and populations were not consistently reported, limiting precise conclusions.
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. All included studies are reviews, not original trials, which limits the reliability of effect estimates. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests. Study durations and doses were not reported, making it impossible to assess dose-response or timing of effects.
Generally, though, all treatments were tolerated well with minimal side effects.
from: Role of Phytotherapy in the Management of BPH: A Summary of the Literature.For most of the reviewed substances, only modest effectiveness was reported.
more recent, larger and more soundly constructed studies found no significant benefit for the use of phytotherapy in the treatment of BPH
This articles review the mode of action, the efficacy, and the safety, including herb-drug interactions of the most common botanicals (Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, Urtica dioica, and Cucurbita pepo) and nutraceuticals (isoflavones, lycopene, selenium, and β-Sitosterol) in controlling the lower urinary tract symptoms associated to BPH.