Rye grass pollen extract comes from the pollen of rye grass (Secale cereale). Rye grass pollen extract may affect the male hormone testosterone, relax the muscles of the tube through which urine flows (urethra), and improve how well the bladder can force urine out.
Why It Is Used
People use rye grass pollen extract to relieve the symptoms of non-cancerous enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). Some men who use rye grass pollen extracts say their symptoms have improved and that they get up fewer times at night to urinate. But there is very little research on this.
Risks
Researchers have not evaluated rye grass pollen extract for long-term effectiveness, safety, or its ability to prevent complications of BPH.
Men who have problems urinating should see a doctor to rule out prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is treatable, but treatment may be more successful when you find and treat the cancer as early as possible.
The Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD), within the Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada, regulates natural health products in Canada. Natural health products, including rye grass pollen extract, must be reviewed and approved by the NNHPD before they can be sold in Canada.
When using natural health products, keep in mind the following:
Like conventional medicines, natural health products may cause side effects, trigger allergic reactions, or interact with prescription and non-prescription medicines or other natural health products you might be taking. A side effect or interaction with another medicine or natural health product may make other health conditions worse.
Natural health products may not be standardized in their manufacturing. This means that how well they work or any side effects they cause may differ among brands or even within different lots of the same brand. The form you buy in health food or grocery stores may not be the same as the form used in research.
The long-term effects of most natural health products, other than vitamins and minerals, are not known. Many natural health products are not used long-term.
Talk with your doctor about any natural health products that you would like to try or are already using. Your doctor can help you manage your health better if he or she knows about all of your health practices.
