Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is a small palm native to the southeastern United States. Its berries have a long history of use in herbal medicine.

In the early part of the twentieth century, saw palmetto berry tea was commonly recommended by herbalists for a variety of urinary tract ailments in men. Some also believed the berry increased sperm production and sex drive.

The liposterolic (fat-soluble) extract of saw palmetto provides concentrated amounts of free fatty acids and sterols. One study suggests that saw palmetto reduces the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an active form of testosterone, binding in the part of the prostate surrounding the urethra. Elevated DHT activity is believed to contribute to prostate enlargement. Test tube studies also show that saw palmetto weakly inhibits the action of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to DHT.  In addition, laboratory studies have shown that saw palmetto also inhibits the actions of growth factors and inflammatory substances that may contribute to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Contrary to some beliefs, saw palmetto does not have an estrogen-like effect in the male body.

Saw palmetto is often combined with nettle root for cases of BPH. One trial using both plant extracts showed positive effects on symptoms of BPH (improved urine flow and decreased nighttime urination) over a one-year period.