Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) is a herb that grows naturally in the South-eastern United States – primarily in Georgia, Florida and Mississippi. It is a small palm, normally reaching a height of around 2-4 meters. The olive sized berries of the Saw Palmetto plant contain a number of beneficial compounds. These include free fatty acids (oleic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid and palmitic acid), phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and cycloartenol), free fatty alcohols and monoglycerides. The berries, when ripe, turn bluish-black and are dried for medicinal use. The fatty acids and sterols which are derived from the berries have been scientifically shown to be beneficial to the health and healing of the prostate. Saw Palmetto is a recognized remedy for benign enlargement of the prostate gland.

Two obvious advantages of saw palmetto over conventional drug treatment are that the herb carries with it no side effects and that it does not change protein specific antigen (PSA) levels.

A 1996 double-blind study by Carraro, et al followed 1098 as they were given either Saw Palmetto or the drug Proscar over a period of 6 months (no placebo group was involved). Treatments were equally effective. However it was noted that, while Proscar lowered prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and caused a slightly lowered libido, Saw Palmetto had neither of these side effects.

(Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients. Prostate. 1996;29:231–240).

A 2001 study conducted by Marks, et al used needle biopsies to extract prostate tissue from patients before and after treatment with either Saw Palmetto or a placebo. After six months of treatment the Saw Palmetto group averaged a 32% decrease in DHT. No statistically significant changes in DHT were noted in the placebo group.

(Marks LS, Hess DL, DoreFJ. Tissue Effects of Saw Palmetto and Finasteride: Use of Biopsy Cores for In Situ Quantification of Prostatic Androgens. Urology 2001;57:999-1005).

The recommended daily dose of Saw Palmetto is 320 mg standardized to 85-95% of fatty acids and sterols. If taking Saw Palmetto in the crushed berry form, take 1-2 grams per day. Do not take Saw Palmetto as a tea as the medicinal oils will not dissolve in water. No time limit for the use of Saw Palmetto has been established.