The fruit of the saw palmetto, also called the cabbage palm and the American dwarf palm, is used in alternative medicine. This fruit is a type of berry that contains a number of active ingredients, including flavonoids, fatty acids, high molecular weight polysaccharides and plant sterols, all of which may have health benefits.
Uses
Saw palmetto is often used to help treat a condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, which is a condition characterized by an enlarged prostate. Although evidence regarding the benefits of saw palmetto for treating other conditions is limited, some people also use saw palmetto for male pattern hair loss, prostate cancer, underactive bladder, chronic pelvic pain and decreased sex drive.
Dosage
For treating BPH, one or two doses per day of 160 mg of saw palmetto is used. Besides capsules, saw palmetto also comes in the form of dried, crushed or whole berries, tinctures and teas. For berries, the recommended dose is 1 g to 2 g per day; for teas, 2 tsp. dried berries are steeped in 24 oz. of simmering water, the liquid is reduced by half, and a 4 oz. dose is taken three times a day; and for tinctures, the usual dose is 2 mL to 4 mL taken three times per day.
Safety
Saw palmetto may interact with birth control pills, blood clotting medications and estrogens. You shouldn't take saw palmetto within two weeks of having surgery since it may slow blood clotting, and pregnant and nursing women shouldn't take saw palmetto since it can act like a hormone, notes MedlinePlus. Some people may experience side effects, including constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, vomiting and nausea.
Considerations
The tea form of saw palmetto might not be as effective as the other forms, since the fatty acids don't dissolve in water. You should always speak with your doctor before taking any supplement to make sure it won't interact badly with any medications you are taking or cause problems due to any health problems you may have.
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