Therapeutic efficacy of orally administered pollen for nonallergic diseases: An umbrella review
Antonelli M, Donelli D, Firenzuoli F
Published in Phytotherapy Research
Methodology
Umbrella review of five systematic reviews (one with meta-analysis) on orally administered pollen preparations for nonallergic diseases, with quality of evidence rated using an NIH tool.
Key Findings
Evidence supports grass pollen extracts for benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis, with preliminary support for vasomotor symptoms; evidence regarding bee pollen specifically is too limited to draw conclusions.
Conclusions
Flower and grass pollen extracts may be useful complementary remedies for BPH, chronic prostatitis and vasomotor symptoms, but clinical efficacy of bee pollen itself is unproven.
Limitations
Umbrella design inherits the limitations of small underlying trials; bee pollen and standardised pollen extracts are not interchangeable products.
Supplements Studied
Evidence regarding bee pollen is too limited to draw any conclusion on its clinical efficacy.
Outcomes Measured
Evidence from these reviews supports the use of grass pollen extracts for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and chronic prostatitis (CP).
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Not reported
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.