For men who are hoping to improve their prostate health, herbal supplements and natural treatments offer them a wide range of choices, depending on their condition. For those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), saw palmetto extract may reduce swelling, and now researchers have announced that for a more serious illness, a compound taken from a mushroom might help.

A team of scientists from Australia and Hong Kong published a report stating that polysaccharopeptide, a molecule found in turkey tail mushrooms, appears to be 100 percent effective in suppressing prostate tumor growth in mice.

The study, which appeared in the journal PLoS ONE, noted that unlike more traditional pharmaceutical treatments for the disease, this one apparently targets cancerous stem cells. Likewise, researchers noted that polysaccharopeptide did not have any discernible side effects in laboratory rodents.

The team concluded that further investigation into natural treatments for prostate ailments may turn up more substances that benefit the gland without causing unpleasant physical consequences.

For men interested in saw palmetto for BPH, the extract is available over the counter in many grocery stores and pharmacies.