Saw Palmetto
OTHER NAME(S): American Dwarf Palm Tree, Baies du Chou Palmiste, Baies du Palmier Scie, Cabbage Palm, Chou Palmiste, Ju-Zhong, Palma Enana Americana, Palmier de Floride, Palmier Nain, Palmier Nain Américain, Palmier Scie, Sabal, Sabal Fructus, Sabal serrulata, Saw Palmetto Berry, Serenoa repens, Serenoa serrulata.
Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is a type of small palm tree that grows in the southeastern United States. It has long, green, fan-shaped leaves and produces dark red berries that are used in herbal medicine.
Saw palmetto is commonly used as a natural remedy for enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) in men. The active compounds in saw palmetto berries are believed to help reduce inflammation and prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can contribute to the growth of the prostate gland.
Saw palmetto may also have other health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and supporting urinary tract health. It is available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and teas.
While saw palmetto is generally considered safe, it can interact with certain medications, and may cause side effects such as upset stomach, headache, and dizziness. As with any herbal supplement, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider before using saw palmetto, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
Uses
Saw palmetto is commonly used for the following purposes:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Saw palmetto is commonly used as a natural remedy for BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause urinary problems in men. It is believed to help reduce inflammation and prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can contribute to the growth of the prostate gland.
Hair loss: Saw palmetto is sometimes used as a natural remedy for hair loss or male pattern baldness. It is believed to block the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which can contribute to hair loss.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Saw palmetto may help to support urinary tract health and prevent UTIs.
Inflammation: Saw palmetto may have anti-inflammatory properties, and is sometimes used to reduce inflammation in the body.
Sexual health: Saw palmetto may help to improve sexual function in men, and is sometimes used as a natural remedy for erectile dysfunction.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of saw palmetto for these uses is not well-established, and more research is needed to determine its safety and effectiveness. If you are considering using saw palmetto for any of these purposes, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider first.
Precautions
If you are considering using saw palmetto, there are some precautions you should be aware of. These include:
Talk to your healthcare provider first: Before taking saw palmetto, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
Don’t use in place of prescribed medication: Saw palmetto should not be used as a replacement for prescribed medication without first consulting with your healthcare provider.
Check for interactions: Saw palmetto may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners, hormone therapy, and some medications used to treat prostate cancer. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for potential interactions.
Don’t exceed recommended dosage: Stick to the recommended dosage of saw palmetto, as taking too much may increase the risk of side effects.
Discontinue use if side effects occur: If you experience any side effects from taking saw palmetto, discontinue use and talk to your healthcare provider.
Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding: Saw palmetto may be unsafe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and should be avoided.
It is important to note that the safety and effectiveness of saw palmetto has not been established in children. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in children.
Dosing
The appropriate dosage of saw palmetto can vary depending on the specific product and the condition being treated. It is important to follow the dosing instructions on the product label or as directed by your healthcare provider.
In general, saw palmetto is available in various forms including capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and teas. The typical dosage range for saw palmetto extract is 160-320 mg per day, taken in divided doses. However, some studies have used higher dosages, up to 960 mg per day, with no significant side effects.
It is important to note that the safety and effectiveness of saw palmetto has not been established in children. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in children.
If you are considering using saw palmetto, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider first, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications. They can help you determine the appropriate dosage and monitor you for any potential side effects or interactions with other medications.
FAQs
What does saw palmetto do for you?
Currently, saw palmetto is promoted as a dietary supplement for urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), as well as for chronic pelvic pain, migraine, hair loss, and other conditions.
Who should not take saw palmetto?
Saw palmetto should not be taken by children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or by those with hormone-sensitive cancers. You should also avoid it if you take hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills, or blood thinners. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Is saw palmetto a good DHT blocker?
Research shows that saw palmetto may be an effective treatment in reducing hair loss due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to block DHT
Does saw palmetto cause high testosterone?
Some men take saw palmetto so their body’s level of dihydrotestosterone decreases and the level of testosterone increases.
Is saw palmetto safe for men?
Saw palmetto is generally considered safe and has been associated with very few side effects. Some of the most commonly reported side effects are headache, dizziness, nausea, and constipation ( 19 )
What is the negative effect of saw palmetto?
Side effects are very rare, although headache, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness have been reported. In at least one case, significant bleeding during surgery was attributed to saw palmetto. There have been two reports of liver damage and one report of pancreas damage in people who took saw palmetto.
Is it safe to take saw palmetto daily?
When taken by mouth: Saw palmetto is likely safe when used for up to 3 years. Side effects are usually mild and might include dizziness, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. When given rectally: Saw palmetto is possibly safe when used for up to 30 days. It’s unknown if it is safe to use for longer periods of time.
Does saw palmetto really regrow hair?
Saw palmetto is a supplement that may help the hair grow. However, the current evidence to support the use of this treatment is limited, and official bodies do not recommend it. Saw palmetto has few side effects, so some people may wish to try taking it despite the lack of evidence.
Does saw palmetto increase fertility?
Saw Palmetto has a rich history of use for aiding fertility challenges in both men and women. Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a type of creeping shrubby palm tree. It is native to the coastal regions of the southern United States. Many Native American tribes were the first to use this plant as medicine
Does saw palmetto raise estrogen levels?
Saw palmetto seems to decrease estrogen levels in the body. Taking saw palmetto along with estrogen pills might decrease the effectiveness of estrogen pills. Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.
Is saw palmetto toxic to liver?
Hepatotoxicity from saw palmetto is very rare and cases have been self-limiting upon stopping the herbal. There have been no instances leading to fatalities, liver transplantation, chronic hepatitis, or vanishing bile duct syndrome.
Is saw palmetto bad for bodybuilding?
So, while saw palmetto is very useful and effective for people who have BPH, it should be avoided when people who are training to be super-anabolic. Other prostate health herbs with similar anti-anabolic actions include stinging nettle and pygeum
Is saw palmetto bad for the heart?
Saw Palmetto And Heart Disease A possible link between heart disease and saw palmetto is that saw palmetto contains the chemical beta-sitosterol which is similar to cholesterol. Raised sitosterol concentrations are linked to an increased frequency of heart problems in men at high risk of coronary heart disease
Does saw palmetto affect erectile dysfunction?
Saw palmetto extract enhances erectile responses by inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 activity and increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase messenger ribonucleic acid expression in rat and rabbit corpus cavernosum. Urology.
What to avoid with saw palmetto?
Avoid using saw palmetto together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, turmeric, vitamin E, and willow.
Do doctors recommend saw palmetto?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) state that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that saw palmetto is effective for any health condition, despite its popularity as an herbal remedy.
