Saw palmetto has long been used as a food and medicine by Native Americans. Men have started using it to treat urinary tract problems associated with enlargement of the prostate gland, and to enhance sperm production and libido. Despite its perceived health benefits, saw palmetto should be used cautiously, because it may cause side effects and interfere with certain medicines. Consult your doctor before using saw palmetto as a dietary supplement.
Preparations and Dosing
Saw palmetto supplements are available as dried berries, powdered capsules, tablets, liquid tinctures and extracts. When you shop for saw palmetto supplements, make sure the saw palmetto is standardized to contain between 85 and 95 percent fatty acids and sterols, the active substances in the herb. Saw palmetto has been used in doses of 160 mg twice a day or 320 mg once daily for enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Side Effects
According to the National Institutes of Health, saw palmetto is generally safe for most people. However, it may occasionally cause mild side effects such as lightheadedness, headache, and gastrointestinal effects including nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. Some people have also reported impotence. Most of these side effects occur as frequently with a sugar pill, adds the NIH.
Possible Interactions
Saw palmetto may interact with some medicines and should be taken under the direct supervision of your doctor. If you are taking prescribed medicines for BPH, you should not use saw palmetto because it may increase the effect of these medicines. Saw palmetto may interfere with blood clotting, so it can interfere with blood thinning medicines. It may also cause oral contraceptives to be less effective.
Considerations
According to the NIH, damage to the liver and pancreas have been reported from saw palmetto use, but these effects have not been confirmed. Saw palmetto may cause slow blood clotting, and cases of substantial bleeding during surgery from saw palmetto use have been reported. Avoid saw palmetto at least two weeks before any planned surgery. Saw palmetto may act like a hormone and should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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