Saw Palmetto Berry (Serenoa repens)

06/17/2023

Potential Medicinal Uses of Saw Palmetto Berry: A Review of Clinical Studies by Gabe Mittel

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small palm tree native to southeastern United States that has been traditionally used for a variety of medicinal purposes. One of the most popular uses of saw palmetto is for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in men characterized by an enlarged prostate gland that can result in urinary problems. However, saw palmetto has also been studied for other potential medicinal uses, including hair loss, acne, and inflammation. This article provides an overview of the clinical evidence supporting the potential medicinal uses of saw palmetto berry.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

One of the most extensively studied uses of saw palmetto is for the treatment of BPH. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have found that saw palmetto extract can improve urinary symptoms associated with BPH, such as decreased urine flow and increased frequency of urination. For example, a meta-analysis of 13 placebo-controlled RCTs found that saw palmetto extract was significantly more effective than placebo at improving urinary symptoms and flow measures in men with BPH (Wilt et al., 2012).

Hair Loss

Saw palmetto has also been investigated for its potential use in treating hair loss, particularly in men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common pattern of hair loss. AGA is caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which binds to hair follicles and causes them to shrink and eventually stop producing hair. Saw palmetto extract has been shown to inhibit the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT (Prager et al., 2002). In a small pilot study of 26 men with AGA, topical application of saw palmetto extract for 24 weeks resulted in improvements in hair growth and thickness (Murugusundram, 2009).

Acne

Saw palmetto extract has also been studied for its potential use in treating acne, a common skin condition characterized by inflammation and the formation of pimples and blackheads. Androgens, particularly DHT, have been implicated in the development of acne, as they stimulate the production of sebum, a natural oil that can clog hair follicles and lead to acne (Zouboulis et al., 2004). Saw palmetto extract has been shown to reduce sebum production in vitro, as well as in animal and human studies (Marks et al., 2007). However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of saw palmetto extract in treating acne in humans.

Inflammation

Saw palmetto extract has also been investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties, which may have implications for a variety of conditions, including respiratory infections, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. Saw palmetto extract has been shown to inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that is involved in the production of inflammatory prostaglandins (Vieira et al., 2018). In a mouse model of respiratory infection, saw palmetto extract was found to reduce inflammation and improve lung function (Sousa et al., 2018). However, further studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of saw palmetto extract in humans for inflammation-related conditions.

Conclusion

Saw palmetto berry has been studied for a variety of potential medicinal uses, including BPH, hair loss, acne, and inflammation. Clinical studies have shown that saw palmetto extract can be effective in improving urinary symptoms and flow measures in men with BPH, and may also have potential efficacy for treating hair loss and acne. Further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of saw palmetto extract for various medicinal purposes in humans.

References:

Marks, L.S., Hess, D.L., Dorey, F.J., Luz Macairan, M., Cruz Santos, P.B., Tyler, V.E. 2007. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: use of biopsy cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens. Urology 69 (1): 207-211.

Murugusundram, S. 2009. Serenoa repens extract in androgenetic alopecia in males. Andrologia 41 (6): 392-395.

Prager, N., Bickett, K., French, N., Marcovici, G. 2002. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 8 (2): 143-152.

06/05/2018

Astragalus

04/14/2017

04/14/2017

Photo owner unclear ~
Saw Palmetto Forest Floor
Habitat, near Venus, Highlands County, Florida

09/07/2012

Facts About Saw Palmetto Berry. Although the berries from the saw palmetto, a small palm tree, have received a lot of attention in recent years as an herbal aid in the treatment of prostate problems, they have also been used in the past as a treatment for women's urinary tract problems. Palmetto ber...

07/10/2012

30 Most Popular Herbs for Natural Medicine

Aloe Vera – Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, wound and burn healer, natural laxative, soothes stomach, helps skin disorders.

Basil – Powerful antispasmodic, antiviral, anti-infectious, an...tibacterial, soothes stomach.

Black Cohosh – Relieves menopausal hot flashes, relieves menstrual cramps, helps circulatory and cardiovascular disorders, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, useful for nervousness and stress. Note: Do not use during pregnancy.

Black Walnut – Good for eliminating parasites, good for fungal infections, good for warts and poison ivy, aids digestion.

Cinnamon – It has been proven that 99.9% of viruses and bacteria can not live in the presence of cinnamon. So it makes a great antibacterial and antiviral weapon.

Cayenne- Catalyst for other herbs, useful for arthritis and rheumatism (topically and internally), good for colds, flu viruses, sinus infection and sore throat, useful for headache and fever, aids organs (kidneys, heart, lungs, pancreas, spleen and stomach, increase thermogenesis for weight loss.

Clove Bud – Improves the immune system, they are also an antioxidant and doubles as an antibacterial and antimicrobial fighter.

Cypress – The therapeutic properties of cypress oil are astringent, antiseptic, antispasmodic, deodorant, diuretic, haemostatic, hepatic, styptic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, respiratory tonic and sedative.

Dandelion – Helpful for PMS, good for menopause, increases ovarian hormones.

Echinacea (coneflower) – Boosts white blood cell production, immune system support, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, good for colds, flu and infection. Note: Use no more than two weeks at a time. Do not use if you are allergic to sunflowers or related species.

Eucalyptus – Anti-infectious, antibacterial and antiviral.

Garlic – Helps fight infection, detoxifies the body, enhances immunity, lowers blood fats, assists yeast infections, helps asthma, cancer, sinusitis, circulatory problems and heart conditions.

German Chamomile – Helps stress, anxiety and insomnia, good for indigestion, useful for colitis and most digestive problems, effective blood cleanser and helps increase liver function and supports the pancreas. Improves bile flow from the liver, it is good for healing of the skin that might come from a blistering chemical agent.

Geranium – Dilates bile ducts for liver detoxification, antispasmodic, stops bleeding, anti-infectious, antibacterial.

Ginger – Helps nausea, motion sickness and vomiting, useful for circulatory problems, good for indigestion, and is also an effective antioxidant.

Lavender – Assists with burns, antiseptic, used as a stress reliever, good for depression, aids skin health and beauty.

Lemon – Is known for its antiseptic properties, Essential Science Publishing says that: According to Jean Valnet, M.D. the vaporized essence of lemon can kill meningococcal bacteria in 15 minutes, typhoid bacilli in one hour, Staphylococcus aureus in two hours and Pneumococcus bacteria within three hours. Lemon also improves micro-circulation, promotes white blood cell formation, and improves immune function.

Marjoram – Anti-infectious, antibacterial, dilates blood vessels, regulates blood pressure, soothes muscles.

Marshmallow – Aids bladder infections, diuretic (helps fluid retention), helps kidney problems, soothes coughs, sore throats, indigestion, and as a topical agent it is said to be anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound-healing.

Melissa – Assists in issues with the nervous system, blisters, and has antimicrobial properties.

Mullein – Can be used as a laxative, good for asthma and bronchitis, useful for difficulty breathing, helps hay fever.

Myrrh – Anti-infectious, antiviral, soothes skin conditions and supports immune system. Also an antispasmodic that helps to reduce spasming due to spasms caused by nerve agents.

Oregano – is a powerful antibiotic and has been proven to be more effective in neutralizing germs than some chemical antibiotics. It has been effective against germs like Staphylococcus aureas, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pine – Antidiabetic, cortisone-like, severe infections, hypertensive

Rosemary – Antiseptic, Antibacterial, Cleansing and detoxes the body. Supports the liver and combats cirrhosis.

Rosewood – Anti-infectious, antibacterial, and antiviral.

Sage – Used in anxiety, nervous disorders, as astringent, in abdominal disorders, anti inflammatory.

Spearmint – To calm the Nervous System, aide with Nerve Agents.

Tea Tree – Disinfectant, antibacterial, anti-fungal, burns, good for all skin conditions.

Thyme – Effective against Anthrax and Tuberculosis

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