Oil from S.Korea’s red ginseng alleviates prostate enlargement: study

Oil from South Korea’s famous hongsam (red ginseng) can prevent enlargement of the prostate, according to a study. 

A joint research team of Korea Ginseng Corporation’s (KGC) think tank for natural product efficacy and Lee Yoo-hyun, a professor at the University of Suwon’s Department of Food and Nutrition, on Tuesday said they found that such oil reduces prostate weight through control of prostate cells and enzymes.

The research team divided 50 rats with BPH into five groups and fed red ginseng oil to them in doses of 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg per kg daily for eight weeks. Afterwards, the weight, tissue and hormone receptors of their prostates were analyzed.

The group that consumed 100 mg per kg of the oil saw prostate weight about 20% lower than that of the control group.

Kim Jong-han, head of the KGC think tank, said, “Consistent intake of red ginseng oil can reduce prostate weight and blood PSA levels.”

Write to Jeong Min Nam at peux@hankyung.com