29/07/2025
What is saw palmetto?
Saw palmetto is an herbal extract believed to affect testosterone levels. Some people claim it helps treat prostate cancer and hair loss, and increases s*x drive. However, more research is needed.
What is saw palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a type of palm tree that grows in the warm climate of the southeast coast of the U.S.
Saw palmetto remedies contain an extract taken from the fruit of the tree.
Now, saw palmetto extract is available in tablet, liquid, and tea form. It is consumed widely in the U.S. as an alternative remedy to treat conditions caused by decreased testosterone levels.
Uses of saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is believed to affect testosterone, leading to a range of potential uses.
1;Low testosterone levels can causeTrusted Source various health conditions, which can be treated by stabilizing the levels of this hormone.
Some people think that saw palmetto prevents testosterone from being broken down. When testosterone cannot be broken down naturally, the hormone levels in the body go up.
2;Enlarged prostate
Some peopleTrusted Source take saw palmetto to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in the male reproductive system. As a man ages and his testosterone levels decrease, the prostate gland often increasesTrusted Source in size.
Some men may experience BPH, where the prostate becomes larger than it should. When this happens, the prostate can put pressure on the urethra, causing discomfort and other symptoms. These include:
frequent urination
problems starting or maintaining urination
the need to get up in the night to urinate
Because saw palmetto is believed to boost testosterone levels, men with BPH may try taking saw palmetto because they think it will shrink the prostate and relieve urinary symptoms.
3;Prostate cancer
As saw palmetto seems to have an impact on male hormone levels; it may also helpTrusted Source reduce the growth of cancerous cells in the prostate.
For this reason, some men who have prostate cancer take supplements of saw palmetto in addition to traditional treatment.
Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer should always speak to a doctor. It is important to seek a proper diagnosis and suitable treatment before trying an alternative remedy.
4;Sex drive
Testosterone plays a role in both men’s and women’s s*x drive. It is linked to fertility because it affects the production of both s***m and eggs.
As such, people may take saw palmetto in an attempt to increase their testosterone levels. They believe this can help them experience an increased libido or a greater desire for s*x.
5;Hair loss
As men age, it is natural for them to lose some of their hair. This natural process occurs because of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a by-product of the breakdown of testosterone.
Men experiencing hair loss may tryTrusted Source taking saw palmetto to stabilize their testosterone levels and slow down the hair loss.
6;Minor ailments
Anecdotally, some people claim that saw palmetto helps with a range of other ailments, including:
coughs, colds, and sore throats
bronchitis
headaches
sleeping troubles
The use of saw palmetto to treat these conditions is based on tradition. Still, researchers know little about its active ingredients or whether it improves the symptoms or not
saw palmetto
