Saw Palmetto is a medicinal herb consumed in the U.S
Saw palmetto has become the fifth leading medicinal herb consumed in the U.S. Several small studies suggest that saw palmetto may have clinical benefit, but the methodologic quality of most prior studies has been poor. Saw palmetto ( Serenoa repens ) is the most commonly used herbal preparation in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The objective of this study was to determine whether a characterized saw palmetto product affects the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 or 3A4 in healthy volunteers (6 men and 6 women). Saw palmetto appears to have efficacy similar to that of medications like finasteride, but it is better tolerated and less expensive. There are no known drug interactions with saw palmetto, and reported side effects are minor and rare.
Saw palmetto may interfere with such hormone-related drugs as testosterone and estrogen replacements, including Premarin, Cenestin, Vivelle, Fempatch, and Climara. Anyone on these types of medications should consult their doctor before taking saw palmetto. Saw palmetto has not been thoroughly compared to other types of drugs used for BPH, such as doxazosin (Cardura?) or terazosin (Hytrin?). Most available studies have assessed the standardized saw palmetto product Permixon?. Saw Palmetto also claims to have the same effect on DTH. I don’t know if that is true or not.
Saw Palmetto is widely researched and used in Europe, and is now gaining popularity in North America, and being used for its benefits for the urinary tract. Saw palmetto is available in a capsule formulation. Saw palmetto may be harmful to an unborn baby. It is not known whether saw palmetto passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Saw Palmetto Berry has an aphrodisiac effect by enhancing sexual functioning and sexual desire.
Saw palmetto is used to increase breast size, to improve sexual vigor, and as an aphrodisiac. It is also used to treat chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, colds, coughs, irritated mucous membranes, sore throat, asthma, chronic bronchitis, migraines, cancer, and to stimulate hair growth. Saw palmetto appears to have been one of the most important food sources for Florida?s pre-Columbian population, for the later Miccosukee and Seminole tribes, and for subsequent settlers such as the Spanish during the sixteenth century. Even as late as the early 1900s, pioneers used saw palmetto berries to make soft drinks (Bennett and Hicklin 1998). Saw Palmetto can be taken with zinc, vitamin b6, and azelaic acid for a synergistic effect.



















