Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Synopsis of saw palmetto
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small palm native to the southeastern United States, especially abundant in Florida. It produces dark red berries that have been used for centuries for their therapeutic effects, particularly on the male reproductive system. The medicinal part of the plant is its fatty-rich berries, which contain a mix of phytosterols, fatty acids (notably lauric, oleic, and myristic acids), flavonoids, and polysaccharides.
Saw palmetto is best known for its use in supporting prostate health, especially in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—an age-related, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can lead to urinary difficulties. Clinical studies have shown that saw palmetto berry extract can reduce urinary frequency, nighttime urination (nocturia), weak stream, and other symptoms of BPH, often with fewer side effects than conventional pharmaceutical options like alpha-blockers or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
The herb works primarily by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a more potent androgen implicated in prostate enlargement and hair loss. Because of this, saw palmetto is also included in some natural formulations aimed at reducing male-pattern baldness.
In addition to its effects on the prostate, saw palmetto may offer anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and mild diuretic properties, supporting its use in urinary tract conditions and overall male wellness. Some herbalists and integrative practitioners also use it in women to support hormonal balance, particularly in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), though this use is less well studied.
Saw palmetto is typically administered as a standardized lipophilic extract (often 85–95% fatty acids and sterols) in softgel, capsule, or tincture form.
Historical Usage:
Saw palmetto has a long-standing history in Native American medicine, particularly among the Seminole people, who consumed the berries to treat urinary and reproductive problems, lack of libido, and inflammation. Early European settlers adopted the use of the berries for similar purposes.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, saw palmetto was listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia and Eclectic medical literature as a treatment for chronic cystitis, prostate enlargement, and testicular atrophy. It was considered a "genitourinary tonic"—an herb that restores tone and function to the urinary and reproductive organs, especially in men.
By the early 1900s, saw palmetto extract became a popular ingredient in patent medicines marketed for male vitality, bladder problems, and aging-related hormonal decline. Though it fell out of favor with the rise of pharmaceutical medicine mid-century, saw palmetto experienced a resurgence in the 1990s and 2000s as part of the natural men’s health movement.
Saw palmetto is used for these health conditions
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (Scientific)
Bladder (irritable) (Traditional)
Prostatitis (Scientific)
Urination (frequent) (Scientific)
saw palmetto is used to support these body systems
Bladder (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Hair (Scientific)
Male Reproductive System (Scientific)
Prostate (Scientific)
Reproductive System (Scientific)
Urinary System (Scientific)
