Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a dwarf palm native to America.
Uses:
- Saw palmetto berries are used to calm symptoms of benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). In a study that looked at 17 different trials covering 4,280 men, saw palmetto was better than placebo at helping symptoms of BPH, improving urine flow, and reducing prostate size. In a 2-year study, benefits began after 6 months of treatment and included better quality of life, less urine in the bladder after voiding, and better sexual function.
- Saw palmetto may also be helpful against male pattern baldness.
Forms: Capsules of berry extract standardized to contain 80-90% fatty acids; tincture of berries
Cautions
- Tannic acids in saw palmetto may reduce iron absorption.
- Saw palmetto may negatively affect sperm.
- Saw palmetto is not believed to interact with most other drugs.
- There was one report of abnormal bleeding after surgery in someone taking saw palmetto.
