Saw Palmetto

Botanical Name(s):

Sabal, Sabal serrulata, Serenoa repens

Common Names:

Saw palmetto berry extract, shrub palmetto, dwarf palm

General Description:

The saw palmetto tree is native to North America. It grows 4-10 feet tall depending on its region. The medicinal part is the ripe, dried berry, also called Sabal fructus. Both the berries and seeds of the saw palmetto plant are used.

Saw palmetto reportedly reduces the signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate. It is widely prescribed in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Medically Valid Uses:

Saw palmetto is used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Saw palmetto has an anti-androgenic effect. That is, the fatty acids present in saw palmetto prevent the conversion of testosterone (the male hormone) to the form that causes enlargement of the prostate. It improves symptoms such as decreased urinary flow, nocturia and postvoiding residual. However, at this point in time there are no studies showing that saw palmetto can prevent or treat prostate cancer.

Unsubstantiated Claims:

Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies.

Saw palmetto is claimed to stimulate the appetite, tone and strengthen the male reproductive system, and reduce inflammation of the prostate. There are claims that saw palmetto extracts may also enhance sexual desire and functioning and alleviate some of the afflictions of old age.

Dosing Format:

Saw palmetto berry extracts are found in tablet, extract, tea, and capsule form. Unless otherwise prescribed or directed on the label, the dosage is 1 to 2 g per day.

Side Effects, Toxicity and Interactions:

The saw palmetto berries and extract are considered safe. There are few side effects, except for mild headaches and stomach problems in rare cases.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should consult a physician before taking any herbal medicines.

There are no known significant food or drug interactions.

One should always consult with his or her physician before starting any type of herbal therapy.

Additional Information:

Click here for a list of reputable Web sites with general information on nutrition.

References:

1. Buck A. Phytotherapy for the prostate. Br J Urol. 1996;78:325-336.

2. Lowe F, Ku J. Phytotherapy in treatment of BPH: a critical review. Urology. 1996;48:12-20.

3. Smith R, Mermon A, Smart C, et al. The value of permixon in benign prostatic hypertrophy. Br J Urol. 1986;58:36-40.

4. Descotes J, Rambeaud J, Deschaseaux P, Faure G. Placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of permixon in benign prostatic hyperplasia after exclusion of placebo responders. Clin Drug Invest. 1995;9:291-297.

5. Carraro J, Raynaud J, Koch G. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of BPH: a randomized international study of 1098 patients. Prostate. 1996;29:23:1-240.

6. Di Silverio F, D'Eramo G, Lubrano C, et al. Evidence that Serenoa repens extract displays an antiestrogenic activity in prostatic tissue of benign prostatic hypertrophy patients. Eur Urol. 1992;21:309-314.

7. Braekman J. The extract of Serenoa repens in the treatment of BPH: a multicenter open study. Curr Ther Res. 1994;55:776-785.

8. Sultan C, Terraza A, Devillier C. Inhibition of androgen metabolism and binding by a liposterolic extract of "Serenoa repens B" in human foreskin fibroblasts. J Steroid Biochem. 1984;20:515-519.

9. Grasso M, Montesano A, Buonaguidi A, et al. Comparative effects of alfuzosin versus Serenoa repens in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Arch Esp Urol. 1995;48:97-103.

10. Lepor H, Williford W, Barry M, et al. The efficacy of terazosin, finasteride, or both in benign prostatic hyperplasia. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:533-539.

11. Bach D, Ebeling L. Long term drug treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia - Result of a 3-year multicenter study using Sabal extract. Phytomedicine. 1996;3(2):105-111.

12. Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampish HJ, Senge Th. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-siterol in patients with BPH. Lancet. 1995;345:1529-1532.

13. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, eds. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 1998.

14. Blumenthal M, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Rister RS, eds. German Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1997.

15. The US Department of Agriculture publications.

16. Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The therapeutic use of phytomedicinals. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press, 1999.

17. Dr. Duke's phytochemical and ethnobotanical databases. Agricultural research service, Duke University.

18. O'Hara M, Kiefer D, Farrell K, Kemper K. A review of 12 commonly used medicinal herbs. Arch Fam Med. 1998;7:523-536.