If you are suffering from an enlarged prostate gland then your first port of call must be your doctor so that you can be sure that this is a simple case of benign prostatic hypertrophy and nothing more. Once you have a firm diagnosis there are then a number of treatment options open to you and here we look at seven common forms of alternative therapy.



1. Ayurveda. Two popular treatments are to mix Punarnava, Gokshura and Shilajit herbal powders together and then to take just one quarter of a teaspoon each day mixed into a little warm water. Alternatively, you could try horsetail, ginseng or hibiscus tea and these can be taken three or four times a day.

2. Reflexology. Reflexology sessions, which direct energy to specific pressure points on the body, begin with relaxing your whole body and then shifting the focus of the reflex to those areas of your body which are in the greatest need of assistance.  In this case that means directing energy to the prostate, adrenal, endocrine, pituitary, parathyroid and thyroid glands as well as to the pancreas with the reflex in your hands or feet.

3. Food Therapy. A diet which is high in zinc has been shown to be beneficial in shrinking an enlarged prostate and so food therapy essentially means following a low fat diet (especially avoiding saturated fats) and including foods which are known to be high is zinc such as flaxseed oil, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. You can also take a daily zinc supplement.

4. Imagery. Imagery is closely linked to hypnosis and both use positive visualization techniques to effect positive change.  One exercise which has been shown to be beneficial to some enlarged prostate sufferers is to close your eyes, breathe out three times and then imagine entering into your body. Once inside, find your prostate gland and slowly examine it from every angle before putting it into a thin golden drawstring net and pulling the drawstring so that the net fits snuggly around the prostate. At the same time picture your prostate gland shrinking back to its normal size. This exercise should be practiced twice each day for about three or four minutes for three weeks and then left for one week, before repeating the process over about six months.

5. Hydrotherapy. For many enlarged prostate sufferers a daily hot bath taken for about a month does the trick. Simply sit in a hot bath with water up to your navel for thirty to forty-five minutes and then follow this immediately with a cold bath or shower.

6. Vitamin and Mineral Therapy. Herbal medication containing a specific mix of vitamins and minerals can also help with the treatment of an enlarged prostate. The vitamin and mineral mix, which is taken twice a day, should contain 200 international units of vitamin E, 30 milligrams of zinc, 1 milligram of copper, half a tablespoon of flaxseed oil and 160 milligrams of saw palmetto.

7. Yoga. Some Yoga poses can increase the blood flow to your groin and so relieve certain prostate problems. Two poses in particular which will benefit prostate problems are the 'knee squeeze' and the 'seated sun' together with the 'stomach lock'. If you are not familiar with yoga then there are many excellent illustrated books available and you should be able to pick one or two up at your local library without any problem. You should be aware however that it is not advisable to practice the 'stomach lock' if you are suffering from hypertension, hiatal hernia, ulcers or heart disease.

For many people these alternative techniques seem on the surface to be of little if any value at all, but for anyone who is familiar with alternative medicine, or such things as ancient Chinese medical practices, it is no surprise to find that they really can work.