Botanical Brilliance: A Physician's review of Saw Palmetto

SAW PALMETTO //  Serenoa Repens

Genus: Serenoa / Latin: Serra = saw (saw-like edges of the palm stems or petiole)

Species: Repens/ Latin: creeping (grows horizontally)

Historical Use

• Native Americans: used its berries for food and various health issues including cough, urinary symptoms, and as an antiseptic.
• Early American Medicine: in the late 1800s saw palmetto was incorporated into American traditional medicine to treat urinary symptoms and reproductive problems.

Present Day Use

• Relieves lower urinary tract symptoms
• Help reduce hair loss
• Reduce inflammation in the prostate
• Support prostate health

Interesting Facts

• Some saw palmetto plants are estimated to be thousands of years old 
• Saw Palmetto is the most popular choice of supplement by men with Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) and Prostate Cancer

Saw Palmetto (serenoa repens) gets its name from its saw-toothed fan-shaped leaves and horizontal growth pattern. This shrubby palm is native to the Southeastern United States and has been used medicinally for centuries by Native Americans. They call it the "plant of life" alluding to its many health benefits.

Traditionally, Native Americans used saw palmetto for food and various ailments including coughs and urinary tract issues in men. 

Modern research suggests that saw palmetto extracts can inhibit an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT, which can contribute to hair loss. So by blocking DHT production, saw palmetto helps prevent androgenic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness). 

In addition to blocking DHT, saw palmetto contains powerful phytonutrients like fatty acids, flavonoids, and plant sterols that reduce inflammation, stimulate hair growth, and slow down hair loss. 

Besides preserving your precious strands, studies show saw palmetto may also:

• Treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by reducing prostate cell growth
• Reduce inflammation
• Boost immune function
• Act as an antiseptic and expectorant

Don't let saw palmetto's prickly appearance deter you: keep an eye out for saw palmetto on your hair care ingredients list. This plant packs a powerful punch when it comes to supporting hair and health. 

Saw Palmetto can be found in our Sempre Organonutrients Hair & Skin Vitamins.

Organonutrients:

Phytosterols: ß - Sitosterol, Campesterol, Stigmasterol, Lupenone, Lupeol, 24-methylene-cycloartenol

• Anti-inflammatory
• Prostate health 
• Cholesterol management
• Immune system support
• Anti-Cancer potential 
• Urinary symptom relief

Fatty Acids: capric, caprylic, caproic, lauric, palmitic, and oleic acids, as well as their ethyl esters derived from dried fruits. 

• Thought to inhibit 5-alpha reductase (converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with prostate enlargement and hair loss)
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• May play a role in balancing hormones
• May aid in urinary tract health

Saw Palmetto can be found in our NATURALE Shampoo & Conditioner for Thinning Hair. 

Saw Palmetto can also be found in our NATURALE Hair & Scalp Tonic.

 Don't let saw palmetto's prickly appearance deter you: keep an eye out for saw palmetto on your hair care ingredients list. This plant packs a powerful punch when it comes to supporting hair and health. 

If all these benefits have you wanting to incorporate more Saw Palmetto in your life, take a look at the recipe below.

Saw Palmetto Tea:

Ingredients: 

• ¼ cup Fresh saw palmetto berries or 2 teaspoons dried berries
• Purified water
• Raw honey, vanilla or almond extract
• Optional spices like cardamom, allspice, ginger and cinnamon

Procedure: Place the berries in a non-aluminum pan with a lid. 

Add two cups of boiling water -> stir, let it stand covered for 15 minutes -> add honey and vanilla or almond extract for flavor -> Strain the tea before drinking.  You can reuse the berries for a second batch if desired

Tea recipe adapted from: https://justglowingwithhealth.com/guest-posthow-to-brew-saw-palmetto-herbal-tea/

It's important to note that while these benefits are supported by various studies, more comprehensive research is needed to fully understand and confirm the efficacy of saw palmetto in these areas. Additionally, always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health concerns or are taking other medications.

Sources:

Evron E, Juhasz M, Babadjouni A, Mesinkovska NA. Natural Hair Supplement: Friend or Foe? Saw Palmetto, a Systematic Review in Alopecia. Skin Appendage Disord. 2020 Nov;6(6):329-337. doi: 10.1159/000509905. Epub 2020 Aug 23. PMID: 33313047; PMCID: PMC7706486.

Latil A, Pétrissans MT, Rouquet J, Robert G, de la Taille A. Effects of hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon® 160 mg) on inflammation biomarkers in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate. 2015 Dec;75(16):1857-67. doi: 10.1002/pros.23059. Epub 2015 Aug 26. PMID: 26306400; PMCID: PMC5049653.

Penugonda K, Lindshield BL. Fatty acid and phytosterol content of commercial saw palmetto supplements. Nutrients. 2013 Sep 13;5(9):3617-33. doi: 10.3390/nu5093617. PMID: 24067389; PMCID: PMC3798925.

Sudeep HV, Venkatakrishna K, Amrutharaj B, Anitha, Shyamprasad K. A phytosterol-enriched saw palmetto supercritical CO2 extract ameliorates testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia by regulating the inflammatory and apoptotic proteins in a rat model. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Oct 17;19(1):270. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2697-z. PMID: 31623582; PMCID: PMC6798398.