What is the effect of saw palmetto?
The dried fruits of the saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) have a recognized effect against problems with urination caused by a benign enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
The fruits of the saw palmetto contain many phytosterols, especially beta-sitosterol. In addition, the medicinal plant contains abundant fatty oil with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and other substances. They suppress the production of male sex hormones.
In addition, the medicinal plant inhibits inflammation and leakage of fluid from vessels. There is talk of an anti-edematous effect.
The background is: An extract from saw palmetto berries can block 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the molecule responsible for hair loss. Whether this effect of saw palmetto also applies to women was not investigated in the studies.
How is saw palmetto used?
The fruits of saw palmetto are used as finished preparations, such as tablets, capsules or tinctures (drops). The recommended daily dose is 320 milligrams. It makes sense to combine it with stinging nettle, which is why corresponding combination preparations are also available.
You can find out how to use and dose the preparations correctly from the respective package insert and from your doctor or pharmacist.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
What are the side effects of saw palmetto?
Preparations with saw palmetto cause gastrointestinal complaints in rare cases.
What you should consider when using saw palmetto
Use only finished medicinal preparations, as they are produced under standardized conditions and contain controlled extracts of saw palmetto.
If you are about to have surgery, talk to your doctor about it if you take saw palmetto products, as they may have a blood thinning effect.
Interactions with other medications are possible.
How to get saw palmetto products
Well-acting ready-to-use medicines are available in pharmacies and well-stocked drugstores. For the type and duration of use, read the package insert and ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is the saw palmetto?
It prefers to grow on sandy soils in dunes or pine forests. The large, fan-shaped, blue-green leaves are divided into 18 to 24 segments. The leaf margin as well as the petioles are finely toothed at the edge. The small, inconspicuous, white to cream-colored flowers are in arching, erect inflorescences that can grow as long as the leaves (over a meter).
