Researchers found that honey produced from hovenia tree flowers improves benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats by reducing prostate weight and androgen levels [1, 2].
This discovery suggests a potential new therapeutic application for hovenia honey, which has been traditionally known for liver protection and hangover relief. By targeting the hormonal drivers of prostate enlargement, the findings could eventually inform new treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The joint study was conducted by the Rural Development Administration and the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine [1, 2]. The research focused on a hovenia tree forest located in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province, South Korea [1, 2]. Scientists aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects of the honey's saponins and flavonoids [1, 2].
During the animal experiment, researchers fed the honey to rats over a period of six weeks [1]. The results showed a 19.3% reduction in prostate weight among the treated group [1]. Additionally, the study recorded a 72.2% decrease in the androgen levels that typically promote the development of BPH [1].
Dr. Choi Jang-gi, director of the Korean Medicine Research Institute Applied Technology Center, noted the impact on the physical structure of the organ. He said the thickness of the enlarged prostate epithelium decreased by over 60%, returning to a normal level [1].
The study represents an effort to identify additional functional benefits of regional Korean botanical products. While hovenia honey is widely marketed for its ability to aid the liver, these results highlight a specific interaction with the endocrine system that affects prostate health [1, 2].
“Hovenia honey reduced androgen levels that promote BPH by 72.2%.”
While these results are significant, they are based on animal models rather than human clinical trials. The substantial reduction in androgen levels and prostate weight suggests that the specific flavonoids and saponins in hovenia honey may act as natural endocrine modulators, providing a biological basis for further pharmaceutical research into non-synthetic BPH treatments.
