Saw palmetto
Sawpalmetto – Possible Benefits and Uses for Sawpalmetto
These days many people are interested in trying out herbal medicines and using less prescription medication when possible. These typically have fewer side effects than prescription medications, though this is not always the case. For some illnesses and conditions herbal medication can be just as effective, but it is important to only take these medicines under the supervision of your doctor since they can interact with other herbs or medicines that you might be taken. For those who are suffering from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), one herbal medication that might be worth giving a try is sawpalmetto.
Sawpalmetto has been the subject of some studies with regard to the treatment of BPH, and it has been shown in some of these studies to be just as effective as one of the prescription medications, finasteride or Proscar, in treating this condition. The study was relatively short though, so there needs to be further study.
If you are taking Proscar you shouldn’t take sawpalmetto as well, and if you do decide to give it a try you will want to do so under a doctor’s supervision as it might also interfere with some other drugs. Those using blood thinners or who are suspected of being particularly likely to get hormone related cancers should also avoid this herbal supplement. It might also interfere with oral contraceptives, so those using this method of pregnancy prevention might want to avoid this herb or switch to another type of contraception. Pregnant and nursing women and children should also avoid it due to the possible hormonal effects.
When taking sawpalmetto you will want to find a product that is in capsule form that contains 85 percent to 95 percent fatty acid and sterols composition. The liquid preparations and teas are not as effective and have not been studied as much, so it is best to use the standardized capsules as they are more likely to be effective in the recommended dosage.
Sawpalmetto doesn’t usually have many side effects. Some people have gotten an upset stomach or a headache, but these side effects can be limited if you take the supplement along with food in most cases. This herb might also have an effect on blood clotting, so you should take care if you are on blood thinners or going to have surgery.
Although there haven’t been a lot of studies on how this herb can help with other conditions, there are some that people suspect might be helped. These include things like prostate cancer, acne, male pattern baldness, hormone imbalances, PMS, low libido, over or under developed breasts, reproductive issues, and low sperm count. This is because the herb is suspected to affect the hormones, and these conditions are all hormone related. However, more research needs to be done to see whether the herb will be helpful in treating these conditions, and at what does it should be taken in order to work.
As you can see, Sawpalmetto can be a useful herbal medicine for some people to try if they want to avoid taking prescription medications.
