Saw palmetto has been used medicinally in the Americas since the times of the Mayans, who used it as a tonic. It was officially recognized in the United States in the early- to mid-1900s but its use declined thereafter. Today, it is a licensed product in some European countries and is positioned among the top 10 herbs in the United States. Before starting saw palmetto or any herb, it is advisable to first consult with your physician.
Identification and Dosing
Saw palmetto is also known as fan palm, American dwarf palm, and scrub palm. The ripened fruit is dried and used medicinally. The more popular form is ground saw palmetto berries as dry powder extract standardized to 25 percent fatty acids and available in pill form, according to Drugs.com. Doses of standardized saw palmetto powder extract used in research studies were 160 milligrams, taken twice daily or 320 milligrams once daily for benign prostatic hypertrophy, reports the National Institutes of Health, or NIH.
Benefits
Saw palmetto is most commonly used for treating enlargement of the prostate, or benign prostatic hypertrophy. It is also used for managing infections of the prostate and combined with other herbs for treating prostatic cancer. Other uses include respiratory ailments such as the common cold, sore throat, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Some use saw palmetto for chronic pelvic pain syndrome, migraine headache, enhancing urine flow, and enhancing relaxation. Saw palmetto is also used as an aphrodisiac.
Effectiveness
According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, preliminary research of saw palmetto taken as powder extract in pill form shows that it is possibly effective for relieving the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy, such as nighttime urination. According to results from the research studies, saw palmetto's benefits for benign prostatic hypertrophy may take up to two months to take effect, says the NIH. There is not enough information from human studies to rate the effectiveness of saw palmetto for its other uses.
Considerations
Saw palmetto is considered to be generally safe, reports the NIH. However, it may cause some side effects which are usually mild in nature, says the NIH. Possible side effects from saw palmetto include lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea, according to the NIH. A few instances of liver and pancreas problems have been reported from saw palmetto use but these have not been confirmed. Saw palmetto should be avoided within two weeks of surgery and during pregnancy or breast-feeding, warns the NIH.
Member Comments