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Saw
palmetto (Serenoa repens or Sabal serrulata) is a dwarf palm
plant native to North America. It grows
to about two to four feet in height, with fan-shaped leaves and berries. The
oil of saw palmetto is medicinally active.
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Saw palmetto was a popular folk
remedy used by Native Americans to treat urinary conditions in men and breast
disorders in women. It primarily grows
along the Atlantic coast in Georgia and Florida. The active ingredients are
found in the plant's brown-black berries. It contains two types of oils, fatty
acids and sterols. It has also been marketed for prostatic (BHP- Benign
Hypertrophy of Prostate) and urinary problems besides for the prevention of
Hair Loss.
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Many
popular hair loss treatment options today such as Provillus, Procerin, Trochomax Ag and
Avacor contain the
“active” ingredient saw palmetto.
Mechanism
of Action
Although
we still don't know exactly how it works, it's believed that it may block an
enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) from allowing the hormone testosterone from being
converted to another hormone, dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone is
considered a key contributing factor to the onset and progression of androgenic
alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia. There
are no well-designed clinical studies showing that saw palmetto can cause hair
growth, or stop hair loss or baldness from progressing.
The Dose:
But if there are no current standards on dosages of
herbal medications. Clinical studies on Benign Prostrate Hyperplasia
(BPH) have used a dosage of 320mg of the berry extract daily (either
one 320mg pill or 2 X 160 mg pill). A daily dosage of 480 mg of saw
palmetto berry extract was not found to be any more effective in a six-month
study. If the entire berry was used, up to 1000mg or 2000mg would be
required to reach the same goal.
The theory therefore is that if saw palmetto can
successfully treat an enlarged prostate similarly to finasteride, it can
effectively treat hair loss with a similar dosage. Many popular “baldness
cure” products contain approximately 1500mg of the berry which is equivalent to
approximately 240-320mg of the berry extract. Dosage and how it should be
used (orally or topically) therefore is based on conjecture rather that
scientific evidence.
Side effects:
One
false assumption is that “all natural” treatments don’t have potential side
effects.
The most common side effects
associated with saw palmetto use are mild digestive distress, including stomach
pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or bad breath.
There have been rare case reports describing liver inflammation, pancreatitis, jaundice, headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression, breathing difficulties, muscle pain, high blood pressure, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, blood clots, and heart disease, but they haven't been clearly caused by saw palmetto.
Some men taking saw palmetto have reported erectile dysfunction, breast tenderness or enlargement, and changes in sexual desire. Although it hasn't been well-demonstrated in humans, saw palmetto may influence levels of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Until we know more, people with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer, should use caution.
At least two case reports have linked saw palmetto with severe bleeding. People with bleeding disorders or who are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications ("blood-thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, or clopidogrel (Plavix) should avoid taking saw palmetto unless under medical supervision. It should also be avoided at least two weeks before or after surgery.
The safety of saw palmetto for pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with kidney or liver disease hasn't been established.
There have been rare case reports describing liver inflammation, pancreatitis, jaundice, headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression, breathing difficulties, muscle pain, high blood pressure, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, blood clots, and heart disease, but they haven't been clearly caused by saw palmetto.
Some men taking saw palmetto have reported erectile dysfunction, breast tenderness or enlargement, and changes in sexual desire. Although it hasn't been well-demonstrated in humans, saw palmetto may influence levels of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Until we know more, people with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer, should use caution.
At least two case reports have linked saw palmetto with severe bleeding. People with bleeding disorders or who are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications ("blood-thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, or clopidogrel (Plavix) should avoid taking saw palmetto unless under medical supervision. It should also be avoided at least two weeks before or after surgery.
The safety of saw palmetto for pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with kidney or liver disease hasn't been established.
The
most common side effects are gastrointestinal, some of which may be reduced by
taking the extract with food. Beta-sitosterol, one chemical present in saw
palmetto extract, is chemically similar to cholesterol. High levels of
sitosterol concentrations in blood have been correlated with increased severity
of heart disease in men who have previously suffered from heart attacks
When using saw palmetto for hair loss one option is using it as an external treatment ( oil extract or ointment) by massaging it into the scalp and hair. This may work because of its lipophilic nature. This means they are well extracted into the oil base typically used, and are easily absorbed by the skin, therefore providing a more productive treatment.
