Consuming Saw Palmetto for Treating Health Conditions

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Can Saw Palmetto Treat Health Issues?

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Saw palmetto is a remedy that many people are turning to. The use of traditional herbal medicines is on the rise all over the world,  as a part of both complementary and alternative medicine. The interest in these herbals is one such reason why the CBD industry has experienced rapid growth in record time. Until recently, little was known regarding why people turn to traditional herbal remedies to treat a range of health issues. But a recent study in Germany found that consumers prefer to use natural treatment options for chronic health issues and as a way to maintain good health. Consumers also like to use herbals as a starting point for treating health issues before turning to conventional methods. The herbal supplement industry is huge and full of hundreds of different products, saw palmetto being just one of them. But can consuming saw palmetto help treat health issues?

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What is Saw Palmetto?

The plant that is sold in stores is an extract from the berries of the saw palmetto fan palm. The plant grows native to the coastal areas of the southern U.S., in particular, Southern California. The berries of the plant are a deep purple. But while the plant may grow in abundance in Southern California, the bulk of commercially-grown saw palmetto comes from wild palms of the plant growing in Florida. It is estimated that there are more than a million acres of wild saw palmetto in the Sunshine State.

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When was Saw Palmetto First Used as a Medical Treatment?

Historians believe that the Native Americans in the southeastern parts of what would eventually become the U.S. used the plant to treat male urinary issues as early as the 1700s. Native Americans would make a strong-smelling tea out of the the plant’s berries. European settlers adopted the practice and used the plant throughout the 1800s to treat a range of issues. In the early 1900s, the extract was used to treat both prostate enlargement and urinary tract infections.

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What is Saw Palmetto Used for Today?

This plant is considered a dietary supplement, and it is not a medicine or even an OTC medicine. The FDA must approve substances for either OTC purposes or as a prescription for a substance to be given these labels. To meet FDA-approval, manufacturers must prove the product’s safety and effectiveness as a treatment option with rigorous testing and detailed clinical research, trials, and analysis. If manufacturers cannot meet these standards, a product is given the label of “dietary supplement.”

Today, saw palmetto is labeled as a dietary supplement for a range of health issues, including:

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  • BPH, a prostate condition
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Low libido
  • Migraines
  • Hair loss

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Any evidence related to saw palmettos effectiveness as a treatment is mixed at best. Some studies have reported that consuming the plant’s extract can improve urinary flow and decrease urges to use the bathroom at night. But, other studies have found no effects when taking saw palmetto. More research is needed on the product’s effectiveness before the FDA can approve it and definitively say if it does or doesn’t treat certain health conditions.

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What Has Been Discovered so Far About Saw Palmetto’s Effectiveness?

It is believed that saw palmetto might reduce hair loss, a common condition. Herbal remedy enthusiasts have been known to use saw palmetto to balance hormone levels and fight against hair loss. One study found that saw palmetto extract could block an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme turns testosterone into a hormone that causes hair loss called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Saw palmetto may stop the uptake of DHT into the hair follicles, so it can’t bind to specific hormone receptors to cause baldness and hair thinning. Other studies found that saw palmetto could increase hair growth in men with male pattern baldness. Taking saw palmetto as a topical could improve hair thickness in adults in another study on saw palmetto.

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Urinary issues and incontinence are also common in cases of prostate dysfunction and enlargement. Saw palmetto has been used traditionally to treat benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH. BPH results in the enlargement of the prostate gland and reduces urinary flow. Studies found that taking two capsules from the plant a day, along with other herbal supplements, improved symptoms associated with the condition BPH. But more research is needed in this arena to meet FDA-approval of the plant as a treatment option for the general population. Although many of the extract manufacturers might tout the benefits of using the supplement for a range of urinary issues, the research is inconclusive at this time.

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What are the Adverse Effects and Long-Term Impacts of Using Saw Palmetto?

Although the plant has been used for centuries, the safety of the substance has not been studied in full detail. What has been found so far is that in general, this plant is safe for most people to take. The most common short-term side effects of are:

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  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Low libido
  • Stomach upset
  • Vertigo

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More severe side effects of saw palmetto include liver damage and pancreatitis. In isolated cases, people have died from brain bleeding thought to be the result of taking too much the plant’s extract. The plant might also cause congenital disabilities and is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Its use is also strongly discouraged in children and adolescents. For consumers, it is critical that they consult with a doctor before using any supplement, including saw palmetto. Dietary supplements can interact with certain prescriptions and may not be safe for people with particular health issues.

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Can CBD Treat Hair Loss or Urinary Tract Issues?

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CBD is also considered a supplement and not a medical treatment. CBD has not been FDA-approved yet to treat any medical conditions, including hair loss and urinary tract problems. However, CBD is well-tolerated by most people and is non-addictive. After getting the all-clear from your physician, shop online at Hugs CBD. All Hugs CBD products are third-party tested through an independent lab to ensure accuracy, transparency, and a high-quality product for herbal enthusiasts.

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Last updated September 23 2019

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