The use of plants and herbs for medicinal purposes (phytotherapy) including treatment of BPH symptoms has been growing steadily in most countries. Usage of plant extracts is common in many countries of the world and is increasing in the United States. Phytotherapeutic agents represent nearly half of the medications dispensed for BPH in Italy, compared with 5% for alpha blockers and 5% for 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. In Germany and Austria, phytotherapy is the first-line treatment for mild to moderate urinary obstructive symptoms and represents > 90% of all drugs prescribed for the treatment of BPH. In the United States their use has also markedly increased, they are readily available as nonprescription dietary supplements and are often recommended in "natural health food stores or books" for self treatment of BPH symptoms.