Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto (or as it’s known by its botanical name, Serenoa serrulata) is enjoying current widespread popularity as a herbal alternative to traditional hair loss treatments (as well as a prostate cancer inhibitor, a muscle building enhancer, and a treatment for reproductive problems). In fact, given the number of beneficial claims that are laid at the feet of Saw Palmetto, you could be forgiven for thinking that this was a miracle herbal remedy.

The Saw Palmetto is a low growing palm tree that sprouts small berry-like fruits and is native to South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and its surrounds (It is normally to be found amongst the sand dunes along the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts). It has long been understood that Native American Indians recognized the nutritional and medicinal properties of the fruit of the Saw Palmetto tree despite its far from flavorsome taste.

The fruit of the Saw Palmetto is claimed to have many medicinal benefits, including everything from preventing prostate cancer, to preventing hair loss. In between, Saw Palmetto is also purported to nourish the nervous system, improves digestion, stimulates the appetite, is beneficial for ailments such as asthma and bronchitis, has an anabolic effect on the growth of muscles, and is rumored to be an aphrodisiac for both men and women.

As for Saw Palmetto’s contribution to hair loss, it works by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase due to the action of the free fatty acids that are present in Saw Palmetto. It is this compound, 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT which, as we have discussed previously, is the main cause of male pattern baldness. It stands to reason that any compound that can reduce or prevent the manufacture of DHT in a person’s system will have a positive effect on hair loss. The compounds that primarily make up the Saw Palmetto berry are free acids, ethyl esters, fixed oils, polysaccharides, steroidal saponin, and tannins. The berries themselves contain about 1.5% of these fatty acids and it is the acids and sterols that are particularly important when considering Saw Palmetto for your hair loss.

While Saw Palmetto is primarily marketed toward those suffering from Prostate trouble or toward those with urinary problems, there are a number of products on the market that incorporate Saw Palmetto primarily for hair loss treatment. Bear in mind however that there have been no reputable long-term studies as to the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto for treating hair loss - so treat with caution any marketing claims that suggest otherwise. Also take care when purchasing any kind of herbal medicine to be sure that you are dealing with a legitimate company, and a legitimate product. Unfortunately companies that market vitamins, herbal supplements and the like are rarely regulated unless they attempt to make specific health claims. While there have been no indications of long or short term side effects from taking Saw Palmetto, you should consult your doctor before taking any kind of prolonged course of herbal remedies, and Saw Palmetto is not advised for pregnant women as it may have a hormonal effect.