The Saw Palmetto Plant

Benefits

• The saw palmetto plant is used primarily to treat symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in older men. "American Family Physician" (AFP) says users often find relief from overflow incontinence, urinary retention, post-void dribbling, diminished urine stream and a change in prostate size. Saw palmetto is also used to help other bladder issues and disorders, chronic pelvic pain, decreased sex drive and hormone imbalances, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) says.

Using Saw Palmetto

• The fruit of the saw palmetto plant is used either as ground or dried fruit, or as whole berries. Users can take it as a tablet, capsule, a liquid extract or a tea infusion. AFP suggests taking 160 milligrams twice a day, or 320 milligrams once a day. Look for a product that contains 80 to 90 percent of volatile oil. One to 2 g of the whole berries works similarly; however, the teas aren't recommended by the AFP, as they don't have the volatile oils.

Considerations

• The AFP cites a 2003 Cochrane Review study that found that saw palmetto reduced symptoms when compared with a placebo. As a matter of fact, saw palmetto reduced symptoms by 25 percent, compared with the placebo. AFP also says that the studies found that saw palmetto was just as effective as a popular drug used to treat similar symptoms, finasteride. Saw palmetto, however, isn't as effective as surgical treatments.

  NCCAM cites its own studies produced in conjunction with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases. Done in 2006, this study found that men suffering from BPH found no symptom improvements over those taking a placebo. The men in the study took 320 milligrams of saw palmetto a day for a year. NCCAM says there is not enough scientific evidence for taking saw palmetto for BPH or other health conditions.

Warnings

• Though saw palmetto has few side effects and appears to be tolerated well, some users report stomach discomfort. The AFP says users can reduce this possible side effect by taking saw palmetto with food. Users should tell their doctors which supplements they are using to avoid possible interactions with other drugs.