Saw palmetto may best be known for its purported ability to relieve symptoms of prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hypertrophy, in men. Saw palmetto is also suggested to relieve other medical conditions, although its effectiveness is questionable. Consult with your health-care provider before taking saw palmetto for health problems.
History
The medicinal use of saw palmetto has generally been tied to urinary health, although it also has been used as an antiseptic, appetite stimulant and as a tonic to nourish the body, explains the American Cancer Society. Native Americans used saw palmetto to treat urinary tract problems. Saw palmetto was introduced as an herbal remedy for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, in the 1960s. Saw palmetto oil is an accepted herbal medicine for BPH in several countries, including France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain.
Prostate Health
Saw palmetto may relieve symptoms of BPH, such as urinary flow problems and nighttime urination, nearly as well as the medication finasteride, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nevertheless, saw palmetto is not recommended in major U.S. or European urology society guidelines for treatment of BPH as of August 2011. Saw palmetto doesn't appear to have much effect on the size of the prostate or in treating an enlarged prostate.
Saw palmetto is sometimes suggested as a treatment for prostate cancer. Chemicals called sterols contained in saw palmetto berries are purported to disrupt the ability of hormones such as testosterone to promote growth in the prostate cells Some laboratory animal studies have suggested that saw palmetto may affect prostate cancer cells. Relying exclusively on saw palmetto alone and postponing conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences, cautions the American Cancer Society.
Unclear Advantages
Saw palmetto is touted to stimulate sex drive and fertility and to help treat low thyroid function. Saw palmetto may inhibit some of the effects of testosterone and could potentially prevent or treat male pattern hair loss, much like finasteride. However, more research is needed, says the Mayo Clinic. Scant evidence exists to support the use of saw palmetto for the treatment of bladder disorders.
Considerations
Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting are possible side effects of saw palmetto People with bleeding disorders should use caution when taking saw palmetto. Testicular discomfort, breast enlargement or tenderness and erectile dysfunction have been reported in some men using saw palmetto, the Mayo Clinic reports. Check with your doctor before taking herbs to treat medical conditions.
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