Saw palmetto is a well-known alternative treatment for men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. The herb has other uses, however, including some that can be beneficial for women. In addition to BPH, the berries from the saw palmetto plant are also used to treat hair loss, bladder problems, decreased libido and hormone imbalances, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Saw palmetto is available in several forms, and the dosage varies depending on the form. Recommended dosages for uses other than BPH have not been studied as extensively, so the effects are not as well-known, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Berries
Berries from the saw palmetto plant can be consumed by women looking for alternative medical treatments. The berries can be eaten whole, ground or dried. Capsules and tablets containing ground berries are also available. No matter how they are prepared, proper dosage for saw palmetto berries is 1 gram to 2 grams daily, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Extract
A liquid extract can also be made from the pulp of saw palmetto berries. Women using a saw palmetto extract can take 1 milliliter to 2 milliliters twice daily, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Tincture
Another available saw palmetto supplement is an alcohol-based tincture. Women using the tincture can take 2 milliliters to 4 milliliters up to three times each day, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Tea
A tea can be prepared from saw palmetto by boiling 2 teaspoons of the dried berries in 24 ounces of water and boiling it until it is reduced to 12 ounces of water. Women can then drink 4 ounce of the resulting tea three times a day. However, because the active ingredients in the tea cannot be dissolved in water, saw palmetto teas are not considered an effective means of using the herb, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Member Comments