Saw Palmetto Facts

Otherwise known as Serenoa repens, Saw Palmetto is popularly used in Europe for diminishing symptoms connected with benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, a condition of enlarged prostate. In the US, it has not yet been deemed as a standard of care and has been marketed as a dietary supplement, but it is also very accepted as an herbal treatment for BPH.

Numerous methods of achievement have been suggested, and Saw Palmetto shows to possess 5-alpha-reductase inhibitory action, which prevents testosterone conversion into dihydrotestosterone. Estrogenic/hormonal effects of Saw Palmetto have also been accounted, as well as anti-inflammatory properties and immediate inhibitory effects.

Other uses of Saw Palmetto such as acne, breast enlargement, cancer, cough, diabetes, high blood pressure, migraine, and others are based on traditional theories and have not been completely tested for people, its effectiveness and safety for these purposes have also never been proven. It is always important to have potentially serious conditions evaluated by professional healthcare provider.

Saw Palmetto dosage is often based on traditional use, scientific research, expert opinion, or publications. Like any other herbal supplements, Saw Palmetto as a dietary supplement may not have been completely tested, and its efficacy and safety may no be established. Saw Palmetto dosage may vary with different brands, with variable components, and even with similar brand. The following Saw Palmetto dosage may not apply to every product; it is vital to read labels of products, and talk to a qualified physician for Saw Palmetto dosage before beginning therapy:

Adults 18 years old and older - Oral/by mouth
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) A Saw Palmetto dosage of 320 milligrams per day, either in one dose or into two spilt doses (eighty to ninety percent liposterolic content), has been utilized in several studies. Reports reveal that 160 milligrams taken once every day may be as effectual as used twice daily. Other suggested or conventional doses that have not been thoroughly studied include: one to two grams of fried, ground, or whole berried per day; two to four milliliters of tincture (1:4) taken thrice a day.

There are limited research accounts on Saw Palmetto dosage in using rectal/suppositories for BPH, but have been given in dosages of 640 milligrams once a day. Extracts have shown to be much effective taken orally four times a day in 160 milligrams. There is no sufficient information of Saw Palmetto dosage administered to children younger than eighteen years old to recommend the product. Again, it is always very essential to use Saw Palmetto with a doctor’s advice and instructions.

Here are the most commonly asked questions on saw palmetto. These are a compiled list of search terms submitted by actual visitors.

1) Does saw palmetto help breast development?

2) Does saw palmetto help slow baldness?
(Does saw palmetto prevent hair loss?)
(Does saw palmetto stop hair loss?)

3) Does saw palmetto lower psa?

4) Does saw palmetto work?

5) Can I eat saw palmetto berries?

6) Can I start saw palmettos from seed?

7) Can women take saw palmetto?

Many of them are already addressed on my blog already, but I will try to answer these questions as we go. Thanks for your questions!

Saw Palmetto for Hair Growth – Making Possibilities

The hair undergoes different cycles – growing, resting and shedding. Thus the reason why there are times when one sees some amount of hair falling out. Hair falls out at an average of 100 per day. As it is a cycle, one would expect that eventually those hairs that were lost would eventually be replaced.

Unfortunately, not all things wished upon happens. So as in hair regrowth, there are instances when an individual begins to see his scalp through the hair – a sign that either the hair is thinning or replacement hairs have not grown to replace those that have fell off in the course of the cycle.

Saw Palmetto for Hair Growth – Worthy of Consideration

This is where saw palmetto for hair regrowth becomes an option. The saw palmetto herb is known to do well in helping one regrow hair. It should be clear that the studies backing up this herb show that it aids in re-growing hair not because it directly stimulates it to grow, but because it hinders the effects of DHT on hair loss.

DHT is dihydrotestosterone - formed with the interaction of testosterone and the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. This DHT attaches to hair follicle receptors – making it shrink through time. The growth cycle becomes shortened with less hair growing – and thus the thinning hair and hair loss eventually.

Saw Palmetto for Hair Regrowth – How It Helps

Saw palmetto, though not an active ingredient to actually stimulate hair to grow, can help in the process of letting the growth of hair take its natural cycle.

Saw palmetto for hair regrowth claims to work by blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. Doing so will help prevent the formation of DHT. Also, it blocks the receptors so that DHT could not attach in the hair follicles – and hopefully prevent hair loss from occurring.

Saw Palmetto for Hair Regrowth – How Real Is It?

Saw palmetto was popularized by its use on BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). There were claims of its effectiveness in giving remedy to the symptoms associated with BPH. Saw palmetto is believed to address the Type II 5-alpha-reductase enzyme found mainly in the prostate.

Saw palmetto for hair regrowth addresses the Type I 5-alpha-reductase enzyme found in the skin and scalp. It is said to block this enzyme to interact with testosterone – which if left to do so would mean the formation of DHT.

A lot has still to be learned about saw palmetto and its effects over a longer period. But some studies have shown positive effects for this herb, and some personal testimonials have been available claiming for the healing effects it has – saw palmetto for hair regrowth is one such area where the herb seems to hold promise.

Testosterone is present to both men and women – but men have it predominantly. It is a steroidal hormone that is required for muscle mass and bone formation. It has many benefits to the body as regulating cholesterol, improving oxygen uptake and promoting a healthy cardiac function. It even affects one’s sleeping pattern and sex drive.

Continue Reading

For thousands of years, herbal medicine was the only cure man learned to use until the advent of scientific-based laboratory medicines. Today, only a handful of these herbs are regulated by the US FDA largely because of the lack of scientific evidence to support age-old claims about most herbs.

Continue Reading