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Is Saw Palmetto Safe to Treat Hair Loss?

Jun 27, 2011 | By Karyn Maier
Is Saw Palmetto Safe to Treat Hair Loss?
Photo Credit Siri Stafford/Lifesize/Getty Images

Hair loss affects both men and women, although it is more common in men. While diet, genetics, illness and medications play a role, male pattern balding, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is most often associated with age-related hormonal changes. As the term implies, a decline in the androgenic hormones that produce male characteristics translates to less hair on the head. The herb saw palmetto is a natural alternative to minoxidil or finasteride, the conventional medications used to address hair loss. However, since hair loss may signal the onset of a serious medical condition, see your doctor before using this herb, especially if you take other medications.

Plant Profile

Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens, is a type of palm tree native to the southeastern United States with the distinction of being the only species in the Serenoa genus. The berries of the tree, which are rich in plant sterols and fatty acids, were consumed as a general tonic by the Mayans and valued for their antiseptic and expectorant properties by the Seminoles. According to Drugs.com, saw palmetto exerts anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits the activity of certain hormones. However, in the United States, the use of this herb has not been approved to treat any condition, and it remains unregulated in terms of manufacturing quality standards. In addition, it's possible that not all of the potential side effects were known as of 2011.

Specific Actions

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, saw palmetto is used to address symptoms of enlarged prostate, specifically, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. The herb was under investigation as of 2011 as a potential therapy to prevent cell proliferation in the prostate, which may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. One of the primary mechanisms behind these conditions is also associated with hair loss -- the degradation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which signals hair follicles to enter a permanent state of rest. This conversion takes place because of the release of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase type II, also known as 5AR. According to MayoClinic.com, saw palmetto appears to inhibit the release of this enzyme. Although this effect seems promising, the Mayo Clinic cautions that use of this herb may delay the detection of prostate cancer.

Effectiveness

A study abstract published in the April 8, 2002 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" reported that botanical 5AR inhibitors, including saw palmetto, improved symptoms of mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia in 60 percent of the treatment group. Another study published in the Aug. 19, 2009 issue of "Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" showed that saw palmetto effectively reduced inflammation of the hair follicle in cultured human skin cells by preventing gene expression of pro-inflammatory proteins called chemokines.

Safety Issues

While saw palmetto may represent an effective alternative to synthethic drugs to treat hair loss, the herb may produce side effects. According to MayoClinic.com, severe side effects are rare, but may include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset and diarrhea. However, complaints of increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, headache and abnormal heart rhythm have been reported. People with a hormone-driven cancer or liver, kidney or heart disease should not use this herb without medical supervision. In addition, saw palmetto may increase the effects of blood-thinning medications and the risk of bleeding.

References

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: Jun 27, 2011

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