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
Does it ease urinary symptoms?
A 2023 Cochrane review included 27 studies with 4,656 men, mostly over 50 with moderate symptoms from benign prostate enlargement. Saw palmetto alone produced little or no improvement in urinary symptoms or quality of life versus placebo at 3–6 months, with similar results at 12–17 months. 1
Reliable trials did not show meaningful symptom relief from saw palmetto alone. 1
What about hair growth?
A 2020 review found encouraging results in small studies of oral and topical products for hair loss. Many combined saw palmetto with other ingredients; design weaknesses and inconsistent measurements make its individual contribution uncertain. 2
Preliminary improvements justify better trials, not a confident prediction of regrowth. 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Organ Function1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Hair & Skin4 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
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No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Sexual Health1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Men's Hormones2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Other effects1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.