Saw palmetto is an over-the-counter herbal supplement touted as having health benefits for women, but clinical evidence is sparse. It is more commonly associated with symptom improvement in men with benign prostatic hypertrophy, according to MayoClinic.com. Women may find saw palmetto useful for treating colds and coughs, pelvic pain and migraines, but research is inconclusive. Marketers of this herbal remedy also claim it is helpful for hair growth and acne in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, and as a breast enlargement stimulator. Consult your physician before using saw palmetto.
About Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is native to tropical climates in the eastern United States. It is a small palm tree that bears fruit, which is the healing agent. You can use the ripened fruit fresh or find it ground into a powder for capsules, as a dried fruit, or in extract for use in teas. Use of saw palmetto prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a more potent version of testosterone. In women, this may aid in decreasing the androgens prominent in PCOS, but no clinical evidence exists to support this use.
Hair Growth and Acne Treatment
Excess androgen production is an effect of PCOS and may cause women to lose hair or struggle with acne. Saw palmetto oil extract sold over-the-counter can be applied to your scalp directly to regrow hair. Creams made with saw palmetto are also marketed for application on places you get excess acne. Follow product labels for dosing and safety. MayoClinic.com says these uses are based on traditions or scientific theory but not on researched evidence. Consult your physician before using saw palmetto.
Breast Enhancement and Side Effects
Saw palmetto may be marketed as a breast enhancer because it is thought to stimulate estrogen and prolactin levels in women. The prolactin hormone plays a role in breast growth, milk production and lactation during breastfeeding. The dose for saw palmetto use in breast growth is not standardized, and no clinical research exists to confirm this use, according to the University of Cincinnati. Side effects of using saw palmetto may include stomach pain, nausea, ulcers and liver damage. Do not use saw palmetto without first consulting your physician.
Additional Uses
Saw palmetto may help with sexual dysfunction in men, which can indirectly be helpful to women. It can, however, interact with medications and physician consultation before use is suggested. Although saw palmetto is likely safe, it is not clinically evidenced for use in women, and caution should be used along with physician consultation before taking supplements.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Saw Palmetto; April 2011
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Saw Palmetto
- Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health; Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome; Lynn Dunning
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Sexual Dysfunction
- Medline Plus: Saw Palmetto
- University of Cincinnati; Pharmacy and Medications; Jeff Heiny; November 2003
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