Saw palmetto is an herbal extract believed to affect testosterone levels. Some people claim it helps treat prostate cancer and hair loss, and increases sex drive. However, more research is needed.

Remedies containing saw palmetto alone, or mixed with other herbs, are sold widely in the United States and Europe. As with all herbal remedies, it is important to understand what evidence exists to support the safety and effectiveness of saw palmetto.

This article explores the uses, dosage, and side effects of using remedies containing saw palmetto extract.

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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. Traditionally, Native Americans of the Seminole tribe used saw palmetto fruit to ease urinary and reproductive problems, among other ailments.

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.

Saw palmetto is believed to affect testosterone, leading to a range of potential uses.

Low testosterone levels can cause 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.

Enlarged prostate

Some people 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 increases 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.

However, a 2023 review of 27 studies investigated the use of saw palmetto extract for treating urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. The review concluded that saw palmetto alone does not significantly improve symptoms or quality of life compared to a placebo.

Prostate cancer

As saw palmetto seems to have an impact on male hormone levels; it may also help 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.

Sex drive

Testosterone plays a role in both men’s and women’s sex drive. It is linked to fertility because it affects the production of both sperm 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 sex.

However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support this.

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 try taking saw palmetto to stabilize their testosterone levels and slow down the hair loss process.

One 2023 study appears to support this approach. Researchers found that both topical and oral saw palmetto oil helped reduce hair loss and promote hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia. Over 16 weeks, the treatment lowered DHT levels, reduced hair fall by 22-29%, and increased hair density by 5-7%.

However, further long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Minor ailments

Anecdotally, some people claim that saw palmetto helps with a range of other ailments, including:

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 related to these illnesses.

Based on anecdotal evidence, many people use herbal remedies such as saw palmetto.

However, it is helpful to understand the science behind the claims and discover what evidence there is to support the safety and effectiveness of saw palmetto.

Shrinking the prostate

Historically, studies have been inconclusive regarding whether saw palmetto can offer effective relief from BPH. An older 2000 study found that the effects of saw palmetto on BPH symptoms were no different from that of a placebo.

Alternatively, a 2012 study found that saw palmetto causes a slight reduction in the symptoms of BPH and related sexual dysfunction.

Finally, a 2019 review concludes that while saw palmetto may relieve BPH symptoms, this can vary from person to person. More clinical research is needed to prove its effectiveness.

Prostate cancer prevention and treatment

Research over the years has suggested that saw palmetto might be helpful in treating prostate cancer, as it appears to slow down the growth of cells affected by the condition. Saw palmetto’s main component, beta-sitosterol, is thought to inhibit prostate cancer growth by affecting certain proteins involved in cell regulation.

However, according to a 2023 study, saw palmetto is not an effective option for treating or preventing prostate cancer. The authors argue that previous research on this topic is based mostly on preclinical studies, there is a lack of evidence from human trials demonstrating its effect on tumors, and existing cancer treatments are significantly more effective.

Therefore, further research is needed before saw palmetto can be considered a suitable way to treat or prevent prostate cancer.

Regulating testosterone

A 2021 study investigated whether saw palmetto extract could help alleviate andropause symptoms, including low testosterone levels, in old rats. They found that saw palmetto increased testosterone levels and concluded the herb might help directly and indirectly regulate testosterone production.

However, it’s important to note these findings may not translate to humans.

As such, experts cannot say with certainty that saw palmetto stabilizes testosterone levels.

While studies haven’t proven that saw palmetto treats any conditions, researchers often use a dosage of 320mg daily or 160mg twice daily in their investigations.

Speaking to a doctor when taking saw palmetto for the first time is a good idea. A doctor can check that taking saw palmetto alongside existing medication is safe.

As saw palmetto may interact with other hormones, women who are taking the birth control pill should not take it.

Saw palmetto can also slow blood clotting, so people who are taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, should avoid it.

Saw palmetto products are available to purchase online, but a person should check with a doctor before using them to ensure their safety.

Saw palmetto has some mild side effects, including:

Since it acts as a hormone, women should not take saw palmetto during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Women considering taking a herb or supplement during pregnancy should discuss it first with a doctor.

More research is required to conclude whether saw palmetto is an effective treatment for prostate-related conditions.

While some evidence supports the possibility that saw palmetto might have a positive impact, its potential side effects have not been well studied.

Although inconclusive, current evidence does not undermine the experience of people who have found saw palmetto helpful. Taken correctly, it may be worth trying as a complementary treatment.