Saw Palmetto (American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto), dwarf palm, juzhong, palmier nain, sabal fructus, sabal serrulata, serenoa repens, serenoa serrulata)
Classes: Urology, Herbals
- Suggested dosing of American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto)
- Suggested uses of American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto)
- American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto) adverse (side) effects
- Warnings
- Pregnancy
- Pharmacology of American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto)
Suggested dosing of American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto)
Whole berries: 1-2 g PO daily
Lipophilic extract: 320 mg/day PO qD OR 160 mg PO BId
Standardized extracts 100-400 mg PO BId
Suggested uses of American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto)
BPH, diuretic, a sedative, an anti-inflammatory, alopecia, prostate cancer (in combo with other herbs), and antiseptic
Efficacy
BPH: Saw palmetto fruit extract did not reduce lower urinary tract symptoms more than placebo 2 trial randomized controlled trials (JAMA. 2011 Sept 28;306[12]:1289-1395) (N Engl J Med. 2006;354[6]:557-566)
Insufficient reliable test results to determine efficacy for other suggested uses
American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto) adverse (side) effects
Nausea, headache (rare)
Diarrhea (high doses)
Hepatotoxic potentiaL
Warnings
Contraindications
Pregnant women should avoid contact: potential for transdermal absorption, or exposure from semen
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: avoid use
Lactation: avoid use
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm (saw palmetto)
Mechanism of action
Active constituents: sitosterols; anthranilic, caffeic, chlorogeneic acids
Inhibits 5-alpha-reductase conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone
Anti-inflammatory inhibition of cycloxygenase, lipoxygenase pathways
Pharmacokinetics
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
