The berries of the saw palmetto plant have a long tradition of being used for medicinal treatments. According to Medicinal Herb Info, saw palmetto was used by early Seminole tribesmen of Florida as an expectorant and antiseptic and became more popular in North America as a treatment in the early twentieth century. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) says that the use of the berries can be traced back to the Mayans in Central America who used it as a tonic. Before embarking on a treatment using saw palmetto, consult with your healthcare provider.
Saw Palmetto Uses
Currently, the main medicinal use for saw palmetto supplement is to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH in men. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) recommends that men who suspect BPH should first consult with their healthcare provider in order to rule out prostate cancer. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) indicates that saw palmetto is used to treat chronic pelvic pain, bladder disorders and in men, decreased sex drive and hair loss. It was historically used to treat stomach or intestinal problems or bronchitis. Primarily though, since the actions of the saw palmetto involve the body's testosterone levels, it is mainly used to treat men.
Research
According to the NCCAM, there has been some clinical study for the effects of saw palmetto in treating BPH. But it also reports that there isn't yet enough solid clinical proof of its efficacy to recommend its use. PubMed describes a study that involved the use of saw palmetto where half of the test subjects were women and half men. The article suggests that not only does saw palmetto seem to show no harmful affects on the test subjects, but it failed to show any significant interactions with other medicinal herbs. This is not a comprehensive clinical study of saw palmetto's success in treating any specific condition, but at least it seems to show that it is safe for women to use in many cases.
Side Effects
The UMMC warns that since saw palmetto affects the body's hormone levels, women who are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid the use of this herb. There simply isn't enough information about how it may affect the infant or mother. The NLM notes that occasionally, taking saw palmetto can upset the stomach or cause constipation or diarrhea. People are advised to take it with food to avoid these potential effects.
Potential Interactions
The NLM cautions that saw palmetto may add to the actions of anticoagulants or blood thinners. In this case, the use of the herb with medications may cause excessive bleeding. The NLM warns that saw palmetto should not be taken with any other hormone pills such as hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives since it may make both less effective. The site advises that before taking saw palmetto, you discuss its use with your pharmacist or healthcare provider to avoid possible interactions with other herbs, supplements or medications.
Forms Used
Saw Palmetto is available in several forms, says the UMMC. It can be purchased as dried berries, powdered capsules, liquid tinctures, tablets, extract and as tea.
Considerations
Some people may report allergic reactions to saw palmetto, says the NLM. In a few rare instances, people have had a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction, which is one where the throat swells. Most of the time only about 3 people out of 70 have any allergic reaction and the most common type is a rash or hives. Taking any medicinal herb can cause an allergic reaction, even if it has been taken before with no reaction. Be aware of rashes, hives and signs of swelling of the tongue, lips, face or throat from taking saw palmetto and if these occur, stop using it and contact your healthcare provider.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Saw Palmetto
- National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Saw Palmetto
- NLM: Saw Palmetto
- Medicinal Herb Info: Saw Palmetto
- PubMed: In vivo assessment of botanical supplementation on human cytochrome P450 phenotypes: Citrus aurantium, Echinacea purpurea, milk thistle, and saw palmetto.
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