Saw Palmetto - Serenoa repens

Detailed Description

Saw Palmetto is a distinctive palm best known for its traditional use in supporting urinary and reproductive health, particularly for men.

Botanical Information

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small palm, typically growing to a height of 2–3 meters (6–10 feet), with an upright trunk that spreads broadly. The leaves are wide, light green to silvery, fan-shaped and reach up to 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) in length, arranged in a fan formation. The leaf stems are lined with sharp teeth or spines. Its yellowish-white flowers are about 5 mm in diameter and can appear on stems up to 60 cm long. Saw Palmetto blooms from December to early spring and produces reddish-black berries from April to October. These berries are shielded by a tough bract and grow on a short stalk right by the trunk. This is a sturdy, slow-growing plant, but it can live for centuries—some Florida specimens are estimated to be 500–700 years old. The berries are edible, but the greener the fruit, the more bitter the taste.

Origin and Distribution

Saw Palmetto usually grows in clusters or forms dense thickets in sandy coastal areas, though it can also be found inland as part of pine undergrowth. It is challenging to cultivate outside its natural environment, being endemic to the southeastern United States, from New York in the north to the southernmost beaches of Florida. Most populations are found along the Atlantic coast and the lowlands bordering the Gulf of Mexico—from North Carolina to eastern Louisiana—but it can also be found further inland, such as in parts of Arkansas.

Usage / Dosage

In traditional Native American medicine, Saw Palmetto was extensively used to treat a variety of ailments such as colds, cough, bronchitis, and flu. There are records noting its use as a general tonic—stimulating the body, enhancing appetite, as an aphrodisiac, and as a mild sedative. In modern times, the primary use of Saw Palmetto focuses on supporting the health of the urinary and reproductive systems, largely owing to decades of extensive study of its bioactive compounds.

The active compounds in Saw Palmetto have been shown to reduce symptoms of prostate inflammation, help decrease prostate enlargement, and alleviate signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia (such as difficulties in emptying the bladder, frequent urination, weak urine flow, incomplete bladder emptying, incontinence, pain, and recurrent urinary infections). These symptoms are common in men over 50 and generally worsen with age.

Saw Palmetto’s compounds are chemically similar to male hormones and can bind to enzymes that convert them, effectively occupying hormonal receptor sites in the prostate. This results in the transformation of those compounds into substances that do not activate the same prostate tissue reactions.

Today, concentrated Saw Palmetto extracts are found in stand-alone products or combined in supplements, praised as antiseptics with diuretic effects and minimal side effects. Its safety is highly regarded because it is minimally absorbed systemically and gentle on the urinary system (especially in comparison to certain prescription antibiotics). Saw Palmetto extracts aid in relaxing the smooth muscle of the prostate gland, making phytotherapy a good option for those intolerant to standard drugs or experiencing their undesirable effects. Herbal treatments are considered a first-line remedy for patients with mild to moderate prostate issues.

What do rigorous scientific studies and Western evidence-based medicine say? Meta-analyses of independent research report that Saw Palmetto extract is a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia, performing favorably compared to placebo and prescription drugs like finasteride and tamsulosin (both standard therapies for this condition). Side effects are rare and typically limited to mild digestive discomfort; otherwise, the extract is well tolerated. However, some reviews rate finasteride and tamsulosin as more effective than Saw Palmetto extract. One study showed a 50% increase in nighttime urination relief and urine flow after regular use of Saw Palmetto fruit extract.

Regarding advanced prostate disease or prostate cancer, evidence remains skeptical. Recently, the American Cancer Society assessed Saw Palmetto extract as a useful adjunct in supporting prostate cancer therapy, but found that Saw Palmetto does not appear to prevent or cure prostate cancer itself.

Health agency opinions vary worldwide. Under European regulations, products containing Saw Palmetto can be described as helping to maintain and contribute to the normal health and function of the reproductive system.

Active Compounds

Extract of Saw Palmetto is rich in active ingredients, chiefly a range of free and esterified fatty acids (including caprylic, oleic, palmitic, lauric, myristic, and stearic acids), triglycerides, and phytosterols (mainly β-sitosterol, also campesterol, daucosterol, stigmasterol), flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Commercially available extracts are typically standardized to 85–95% free fatty acids.

Traditional Dosage

Dosage varies depending on the form and intended use. The recommended dosages below are for adult males. If using dried Saw Palmetto berries, the typical amount is 1–3 grams per dose, or a tea can be made by boiling 0.5–1.0 grams of berries in 150 ml of water for about 10 minutes and drinking this three times daily. For liquid extracts, the recommended intake is 0.5–1.5 ml of a 1:1 extract three times daily, or the 1:2 ratio extract taken 4–5 times daily. For capsule forms containing hexane or ethanol extracts, a dose of 320 mg once daily or 160 mg twice daily is recommended, preferably in the morning with food. As part of traditional usage guidelines, regular fluid intake is encouraged, but it's also recommended to avoid drinking any fluids after 5:00 p.m.

Standardized Saw Palmetto extract naturally solidifies at temperatures below 20°C but can be liquefied easily by warming it in the hand for a moment.