A recent study suggests that the consumption of oil extracted from red ginseng root can potentially enhance lower urinary tract symptoms in men and may also have a positive impact on sexual function.
The study was published in the online edition of The World Journal of Men's Health in August by a research team led by Professor Kim Sae-woong from the Urology Department at the Catholic University of Korea and Professor Shin Dong-ho from the Urology Department at the Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine.
In partnership with the Korea Ginseng Corporation (KCG), the study marked the first instance in which red ginseng oil was found to ameliorate lower urinary tract symptoms, commonly associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Additionally, the research revealed its potential to address issues such as erectile dysfunction and diminished libido.
In their study, the research team recruited 88 men aged 40 and above who exhibited symptoms of moderate prostate enlargement. These participants were randomly divided into two groups: the red ginseng oil group and the control group. Over the course of 12 weeks, the red ginseng oil group received a daily dose of two 500 mg capsules of red ginseng oil, totaling 1,000 mg per day. Meanwhile, the control group received a placebo that was indistinguishable in appearance and taste from the red ginseng oil capsules.
The mean of each value was used as a baseline, and changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) were then measured to determine symptom improvement.
An IPSS score of 7 or less is considered normal, 8 to 19 is considered moderate BPH, and 20 or more is considered severe BPH.
The findings showed that the IPSS score in the control group increased by 3.7 percent after 12 weeks from the baseline.
In the red ginseng oil group, on the other hand, the score improved from 11.87 to 5.87, a 50.5 percent improvement.
By detailed symptoms of the IPSS, the red ginseng oil group showed a significant improvement in urinary urgency (69.2 percent), frequent urination (65 percent), delayed urination (61.5 percent), and residual urination (53.9 percent) compared to the control group.
Other uncomfortable symptoms such as cessation of urination, nighttime urination, weak urination, and life satisfaction were also significantly improved in the treatment group compared to the control group.
Prostate-specific antigen, which is produced by the prostate gland and used as a predictor of prostate size, increased by 3.8 percent from baseline in the control group but decreased by 3 percent in the ginseng oil group.
There was no significant difference in the levels of male hormones, including total testosterone, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which are subcomponents of the prostate-specific antigen test.
The International Index of Erectile Function, an objective measure of erectile dysfunction, decreased by 0.5 percent in the control group from baseline but improved by 28.1 percent in the red ginseng oil group.
The prostate gland is a tissue located just below the bladder and lining the urethra in men, with a normal size of about 20 milliliters. As men age, the prostate enlarges and presses on the urethra, causing various urination symptoms.
In general, 50 percent of men in their 50s, 60 percent of men in their 60s, and 70 percent of men in their 70s are known to have an enlarged prostate.
Lower urinary tract symptoms commonly associated with BPH encompass several issues. These include urinary frequency, characterized by the need to urinate frequently due to an inability to retain enough urine in the bladder; nocturia, which involves waking up during the night to urinate; and incontinence, which leads to involuntary urination. The difficulty in smoothly passing urine can significantly impact one's quality of life and increase the risk of complications such as urinary tract infections, cystitis, and the formation of urinary stones.
Furthermore, if left untreated, BPH can result in acute urinary retention, hematuria (blood in the urine), and even kidney failure. Dysuria, or painful urination, may persist even after bladder function has been impaired or surgical interventions have been performed, underscoring the importance of effective management strategies.
"This study confirmed that taking red ginseng oil not only significantly improved symptoms of BPH such as frequent urination, nocturia, and delayed urination, but also improved sexual function such as erectile dysfunction and decreased libido, which are known to be disadvantages of existing prostate treatments," said Professor Kim. "We also confirmed that there were no adverse effects in the patients who participated in the study, indicating that red ginseng oil can safely and effectively improve BPH," he added.