It is a plant belonging to the palm tree family that is used in herbal medicine. Saw palmetto is about 2 to 4 feet high. Its leaves are fan-shaped and sharp, and it makes a lot of berries. The “saw” in the name refers to the saw-like teeth on the petioles (leaf stems).
The fruit is an important food source for mammals and birds. An extract of the berries is popular in western herbal medicine.Historically, it was used for a variety of conditions, including disorders of the male and female reproductive organs and coughs due to various diseases.
Some people taking saw palmetto for other reasons than BPH. In alternative medicine, saw palmetto is said to aid in the treatment of conditions such as asthma, colds, coughs, hair loss, migraine, chronic pelvic pain, and sore throat. Plus, it’s associated with a variety of other benefits, including decreased inflammation and improved urinary function.
Saw palmetto can cause headache, fatigue, dizziness, stomach upset, nausea, or constipation in some people. It should not be used in children, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those with hormone-sensitive cancers.
Herbal medicine saw palmetto
