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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Beta-Sitosterol vs Pygeum: they're closely matched on evidence (5 vs 5.5/10); they're alternatives for prostate health — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Beta-Sitosterol and Pygeum are closely matched across evidence, studies, and safety.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Beta-Sitosterol and Pygeum have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
60 to 130 mg a day for BPH urinary symptoms, the doses of the two six-month placebo-controlled trials: 20 mg three times a day, and 130 mg of free beta-sitosterol once a day. Both used phytosterol extracts with beta-sitosterol as the main component, so check the label for the beta-sitosterol content. For lowering cholesterol, gram doses of plant sterols or stanols are a different product: see the Plant Sterols & Stanols entry.
Once daily or in divided doses
Phytosterol extract standardised to beta-sitosterol
75-100 mg standardized extract daily. The one cited trial that states a dose used 100 mg a day. Label products go up to 200 mg, above that dose.
Once or twice daily, With or without food
Standardized extract (13-14% sterols)
4-8 weeks
6-8 weeks
6-8 weeks
8-12 weeks
Efficacy and mechanisms of Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction for gastroesophageal reflux disease: A study integrating meta-analysis, network pharmacology and molecular docking
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2026) · Meta analysis · n=646
Eight RCTs (n = 646) showed that XSLJZD significantly improved clinical outcomes compared with controls, demonstrating superior overall efficacy and reduced recurrence.
Efficacy and mechanism of Qianjinweijing Decoction for asthma: Integrating systematic review with meta-analysis and network pharmacology
Medicine (2025) · Meta analysis · n=1200
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies in 1,200 people with asthma, comparing Qianjinweijing Decoction, a four-herb traditional Chinese medicine, with routine drug treatment.
Treatment of gouty arthritis with traditional Chinese medicine decoction: Meta-analysis, network pharmacology analysis, and molecular docking
Medicine (2024) · Meta analysis · n=7151
TCMD could be a satisfactory complementary and alternative therapy for GA.
What do we know about phytotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Life sciences (2015) · Review
On the basis of preclinical studies several mechanisms of action have been postulated, including 5alpha-reductase inhibition, alpha-adrenergic antagonism, dihydrotestosterone and estrogen receptor inhibition.
Phytotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A minireview
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2014) · Review
Histological BPH, which typically develops after the age of 40 years, ranges in prevalence from >50% at 60 years to as high as 90% by 85 years of age.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia and male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
BMJ clinical evidence (2011) · Systematic review
We found 63 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria.
Both Beta-Sitosterol and Pygeum are closely matched — the best choice depends on your specific health goals.
Both Beta-Sitosterol and Pygeum score equally (80) for prostate health.
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.