Saw palmetto is a plant in the palm tree family that grows in the southeastern United States. Manufacturers use the fruit of the plant to make a supplement. Available forms of saw palmetto for sale include liquid, tablets, capsules and dried berries. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the production of saw palmetto and does not evaluate the products for effectiveness or safety. Always consult your healthcare professional before taking any herbal supplements to treat a medical condition.
Historical Uses
Native Americans used the berries from the saw palmetto for various conditions. According to the American Cancer Society, they believed that the plant would help provide nourishment for the body and stimulate appetite, and that it could help with weight gain. Saw palmetto has also been used historically for stomach and intestinal problems, bronchitis and bladder irritation.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
The prostate is a gland that sits below the bladder and secretes a fluid to carry sperm out of the body during ejaculation. Benign prostatic hypertrophy is an enlarged prostate. An enlargement of the prostate is common as a man ages, but some men may have symptoms associated with the condition, including difficulty urinating, frequent urination during the night, urinary incontinence and a dribbling after urinating. Taking saw palmetto may relieve some of the symptoms related to an enlarged prostate. Men may need to take saw palmetto for one to two months before seeing results from the supplement, according to MedlinePlus.
Hair Loss
Testosterone transforms into dihydrotestosterone because of an enzyme in the body called 5-alpha reductase. The dihydrotestosterone may cause male patterned hair loss. Taking saw palmetto may inhibit some of the effects of testosterone and treat hair loss, according to MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Pregnant or nursing women should not take saw palmetto. Saw palmetto may cause a disturbance in the ability to absorb iron. Possible adverse reactions to saw palmetto include stomach pain, nausea, bowel changes, dizziness and headache. Serious side effects that may occur include changes in heart rate, chest pain, weakness, increased bleeding and swelling of the breasts or testicles. People with an increased risk of bleeding because of blood thinners, stomach ulcers or surgery should consult a healthcare professional before taking saw palmetto.
References
- MedlinePlus: Saw Palmetto
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Urinary Tract Conditions: Examining the Evidence on Cranberry and Saw Palmetto
- MayoClinic.com: Saw Palmetto
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Saw Palmetto
- American Cancer Society: Saw Palmetto
- Drugs.com: Saw Palmetto
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