Hair Loss or alopecia is a common health condition that affects the hair of the scalp or the body. According to "The Merck Manual" the most common form of hair loss -- androgenic alopecia -- is influenced by hormones, and affects about 50 percent of the population. Saw palmetto is a herb that has been studied for treating androgenic alopecia in men, and some positive results have been recorded.
Talk to your doctor before starting to take saw palmetto or any other supplements for your condition.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto, the botanical name for which is Serenoa repensis, a palm tree native to Florida. It has mostly been studied for its medicinal benefits in relation to prostate health and, according to Drugs.com, is widely used in Europe and was officially introduced in the U.S. Pharmacopenia in the early 1900s. The same source indicates that saw palmetto currently is rated as one of the top-10 selling herbal products in the U.S.
Research
Research studies on this herb's usefulness have yielded mixed results, some studies finding saw palmetto beneficial for hair loss, while others concluding that is not useful for the condition. For example, a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in April 2002 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine", by N. Prager concluded that an extract from saw palmetto and beta sitosterol, another plant compound, was effective, and 60 percent of the subjects believed their condition was improved while on this treatment. The author suggested that larger studies should evaluate the effectiveness of these two extracts for treating androgenic hair loss.
Another reason why saw palmetto may work is because this herb has been found to have similar effects with the conventional drug finasteride for enlarged prostate, according to American Family Physician. Finasteride is a commonly prescribed drug not only for treating enlarged prostate, but also for adrogenic alopecia.
On the other had, a study conducted by S. Murugusundram, published in the January 2009 issue of "Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery" concluded that limited evidence supports the benefits of saw palmetto for treating hair loss.
Safety, Dosage and Drug Interactions
According to Drugs.com, saw palmetto is a well tolerated herb. Possible side effects include gastro-intestinal symptoms. Saw palmetto may interact with drugs such as warfarin and hormonal treatments. Saw palmetto should be not used by pregnant women.
The recommended dosage is 0.5 to 1 g of saw palmetto berries to be taken as tea two to three times a day, or up to 1.5 ml of saw palmetto liquid extract daily.
Considerations
If you have hair loss, consult a physician to find out the exact cause of your condition, as well as possible options offered by herbs such as saw palmetto.
Keep in mind that this herb does not replace any medication you are currently taking to treat hair loss. Saw palmetto is not approved by FDA to treat any disease.
References
- Merck Manual: Hair loss
- American Family Physician: Saw palmetto for prostate disorders
- Drugs.com: Saw palmetto
- PubMed.gov: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
- Drugs.com: Finasteride
- PubMed.Gov: Serenoa repens: Does it have any role in the management of androgenetic alopecia?
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