Saw palmetto: what it is useful for, side effects and contraindications

Saw palmetto is a medicinal plant, of the species Serenoa repens, which produces small blue-black fruits, similar to blackberries, containing anti-inflammatory, diuretic and anti-androgenic properties. For this reason, saw palmetto is widely used as a home remedy for impotence, urinary problems or prostate enlargement, for example.

This medicinal plant can be used in the form of tea, capsules or lotion, prepared from the dried extract of saw palmetto fruit, which can be purchased at health food stores. However, its use should always be under the guidance of a physician or other health professional experienced in the use of medicinal plants.

What it is used for

Saw palmetto has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-seborrheic, anti-androgenic and aphrodisiac medicinal properties, as well as being able to inhibit the growth of prostate cells.

The main indications of saw palmetto include the following:

Prostate enlargement;

Benign prostate tumor;

Inflammation of the prostate;

Urinary problems;

Cystitis;

Premature ejaculation;

Sexual impotence;

Eczema.

Some studies indicate that saw palmetto may also help in the treatment of baldness, as it appears to slow hair loss.

Although it has many benefits, this medicinal plant should always be used under medical guidance.

How to use

Generally, the part used of saw palmetto is its whole fruit from which its active principles are extracted, and it can be consumed in the form of powdered tea or capsules and also in the form of skin lotion.

The main ways to use saw palmetto include:

Saw palmetto in capsules: take 1 capsule of 160 mg, 2 times per day, after breakfast and dinner;

Saw palmetto tea: place 1 tablespoon of saw palmetto powder in 1 glass of water, mix until the powder is completely dissolved and drink 2 times a day;

Skin lotion: after washing and drying the hair, apply on the scalp over the areas where there is hair loss. Massage the scalp for 2 to 3 minutes, pressing gently and making circular movements with the fingers. Saw palmetto lotion can also be applied to the skin in cases of eczema.

The duration and dosage of treatment with saw palmetto depends on medical guidance.

Possible side effects

Saw palmetto is a safe plant for most adults, provided it is taken by mouth in capsule or tea form, for up to 3 years. However, it may cause some mild side effects including dizziness, headache, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bitter taste in the mouth, constipation and/or diarrhea.

Also, saw palmetto may delay blood clotting, which is why its use should be discontinued 2 weeks before any surgery to avoid bleeding or hemorrhage.

Contraindications

Saw palmetto should not be used in children, pregnant or nursing women. It is also contraindicated in people with blood clotting problems, such as hemophilia; liver disease, such as liver failure; or pancreas problems, such as pancreatitis.

In addition, this medicinal plant is also contraindicated in people who use anticoagulants such as warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid or clopidogrel, for example, or who use medicinal plants or supplements that may affect blood clotting such as ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, horse chestnut, turmeric, willow, clove, red clover or vitamin E.