Botanical Brilliance: A Physician's Review of Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss

Introduction

Name

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 of Saw Palmetto

• Native Americans: used its berries for food and as herbal remedies for various health issues including cough, urinary symptoms, and as an antiseptic. Called the "plant of life."
• Early American Medicine: in the late 1800s saw palmetto supplement was incorporated into American traditional medicine to treat urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate and reproductive problems.

Present Day Use For Saw Palmetto Supplement

• Relieves lower urinary tract symptoms
• Help reduce hair loss
• Prostate
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Support prostate health
  • Prevent prostate enlargement
• Antiseptic
• Boost immune function

Interesting Facts On Saw Palmetto

• Type of Palm tree found in Southeastern United States
• Some saw palmetto plants are estimated to be thousands of years old 
• Saw Palmetto supplement is the most popular choice of by men with Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) and Prostate Cancer and is gaining commercial popularity in the treatment of alopecia.

What Are the Benefits of Saw Palmetto For Hair Loss?

Saw palmetto works for hair loss by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss. By blocking DHT production, saw palmetto can help maintain hair growth and prevent hair thinning and loss.

Is There Research Supporting The Use Of Saw Palmetto For Thinning Hair?

There is a growing number of studies investigating the use of botanicals in hair growth. Saw Palmetto is one of the more popular agents in this regard. Using a systematic review method to review the scientific evidence, a study in Skin Appendage Disorders in 2020 showed the use of Saw Palmetto for hair loss has promise.

The group, after performing a search on relevant platforms including google scholar and Cochrane database search, reviewed five randomized clinical trials and two prospective cohort studies for hair growth outcomes. Topical saw palmetto and the oral supplement was permitted. Individuals with androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium were included. Recommended dosages utilized for the studies were between 100 and 320mg.

Phytonutrients:

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. 

ß - Sitosterol

• Wound healing
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Use in prostate health conditions
• Hair growth

ß - Sitosterol 3-O-D-Glucoside

• Antimicrobial
• Increase ceramide levels in skin which can stimulate hair growth at the cellular level.

Campesterol

• Lowers cholesterol
• Anti-inflammatory

Stigmasterol

• Can inhibit cell proliferation
• Anti-inflammatory
• Neuroprotective

Lupenone

• Anti-inflammatory
• Improves insulin resistance
• Inhibits proliferation

Lupeol, 24-methylene-cycloartenol

• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-Cancer potential 
• Possible anti-viral

Capric Acid

• Antimicrobial potential
• Some research on benefit in Alzheimer's

Caprylic Acid

• Antimicrobial potential
• Gut health
• Possible lipid lowering

Lauric Acid

• Reduce secondary diabetic complications
• Inhibit cholesterol synthesis
• anti tumor activity
• BPH prevention

Myristic Acid

• Anti-aging properties
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Protects hair from environmental damage

Palmitic Acid

• Anti-Inflammatory
• Supports skin health

Oleic Acid

• DHT blocker for hair loss treatment
• Can soften and moisturize hair
• Regulation of sebum production in scalp

Linolenic Acid

• Follicle health and promotion of follicle growth through expression of growth factors
• Cardiovascular health
• Anti-inflammatory

Stearic Acid

• Wound healing
• Anti-inflammatory
• Skin moisturizing

Recipes

Saw Palmetto Tea:

Lifestyle changes in a warm beverage. Drink your way to healthy hair.

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/

Positive effects from the botanical extract, such as hair regrowth and improved hair quality, were noted in most of the studies. To fully evaluate the efficacy of saw palmetto extract in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia larger randomized control trials are needed to verify the purported benefits.

Of equal importance, side effects appeared to be limited. There was an absence of serious adverse events in all trials. The oral natural supplement led to some mild to moderate GI symptoms like constipation and nausea. The studies utilizing the topical form noted some incidents of irritation and itching.

There were a couple case reports of premenopausal women having hot flashes associated with the oral supplement. It is thought that this is secondary to hormonal changes from the antiandrogenic properties of saw palmetto.

Conclusion

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.

Origenere Blogs

In Botanical Brilliance we review different natural ingredients, their history and their potential uses and benefits. Go to the blog home page for insights on more powerful botanicals.

References

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.

M A, I MA, Ramalingam K, Shanmugam R. Biomedical Applications of Lauric Acid: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2024 Jun 20;16(6):e62770. doi: 10.7759/cureus.62770. PMID: 39036266; PMCID: PMC11260118.

M A, I MA, Ramalingam K, Shanmugam R. Biomedical Applications of Lauric Acid: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2024 Jun 20;16(6):e62770. doi: 10.7759/cureus.62770. PMID: 39036266; PMCID: PMC11260118.