Botanical
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto preparations come from the fruit of Serenoa repens, a small palm native to the southeastern United States.
Also listed as Serenoa, Serenoa Repens, Saw Palmetto Extract, Saw Palmetto Powder
Why does the extract matter?
EMA recognizes hexane extracts for well-established medicinal use in benign prostate enlargement and ethanol extracts for traditional use. This preparation-specific regulatory assessment differs from Cochrane’s later clinical conclusion. 1 2
Does hexane extraction resolve the disagreement?
According to NCCIH, the 2023 review separately examined hexane and other extracts without finding different effects on urinary symptoms. 3