Exploring the Uses of Saw Palmetto for Health

Saw palmetto is a plant known for its potential benefits in improving prostate health and relieving urinary symptoms. It is used as a traditional herbal remedy.
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Prepared by Nick Harper, reviewed by Dr. David James Simpson

Saw Palmetto FAQ

Does saw palmetto help enlarged prostate?

The American Urological Association says that while many men use supplements and nutraceuticals like saw palmetto in an attempt to alleviate symptoms associated with enlarged prostate, available research is flawed and can’t confirm these potential health benefits.

Are there any side effects of saw palmetto?

Even when the men were taking the highest dose of saw palmetto, the incidence of adverse side effects was similar in the intervention group and the placebo group. That said, there have been documented reports of saw palmetto supplements causing significant adverse side effects, such as pancreatitis and liver damage.

What is saw palmetto extract?

The plant gets its name from the sawtooth-like spines that cover its stems. Extract from saw palmetto berries has medicinal properties and is commonly taken as a dietary supplement. Saw palmetto extract (SPE) has been shown to benefit people with genitourinary conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

What are saw palmetto remedies?

Saw palmetto remedies contain an extract taken from the berries of the tree. Traditionally, Native Americans of the Seminole tribe ate berries from the saw palmetto tree to ease urinary and reproductive problems, among other ailments. Now, saw palmetto extract is available in tablet, liquid, and tea form.

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 berries of the tree. Traditionally, Native Americans of the Seminole tribe ate berries from the saw palmetto tree to ease urinary and reproductive problems, among other ailments.

Where does saw palmetto grow?

Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens, is a dwarf palm tree native to the southeast regions of North America and especially abundant in Florida, Georgia, Cuba, and the Bahamas ( 1 ). It grows in sandy soil and gets its name from the sharp, saw-like teeth on the stalks that attach the tree’s leaves to its stem.

Is saw palmetto good for You?

Saw palmetto is a supplement made from the fruit of the Serenoa repens tree. It may offer health benefits like improved hair growth, prostate health, and urinary function. According to test-tube studies, it may also have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, but more research in these areas is needed.

What is saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)?

Saw palmetto (serenoa repens), a palm native to the southeastern U.S., has a long history of traditional use as an herbal supplement, especially for reproductive conditions in both men and women.

Saw Palmetto References

If you want to know more about Saw Palmetto, consider exploring links below:

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