Saw Palmetto 

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb saw palmetto— 

common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more 

information. Saw palmetto is a small palm tree native to the eastern United 

States. Its fruit was used medicinally by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. 

Common Names—saw palmetto, American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm 

Latin Names—Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata 

What It Is Used For 

•	 Saw palmetto is used mainly for urinary symptoms associated with an 

enlarged prostate gland (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). 

•	 Saw palmetto is also used for other conditions, including chronic pelvic pain, 

bladder disorders, decreased sex drive, hair loss, and hormone imbalances. 

How It Is Used 

The ripe fruit of saw palmetto is used in several forms, including ground and 

dried fruit or whole berries. It is available as a liquid extract, tablets, capsules, 

and as an infusion or a tea. 

What the Science Says 

•	 Several small studies suggest that saw palmetto may be effective for treating 

BPH symptoms. 

•	 In 2006, a large study of 225 men with moderate-to-severe BPH found no 

improvement with 320 mg saw palmetto daily for 1 year versus placebo. 

NCCAM cofunded the study with the National Institute of Diabetes and 

Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 

•	 There is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of saw palmetto 

for reducing the size of an enlarged prostate or for any other conditions. 

•	 Saw palmetto does not appear to affect readings of prostate-specific antigen 

(PSA) levels. PSA is protein produced by cells in the prostate. The PSA test is 

used to screen for prostate cancer and to monitor patients who have had 

prostate cancer. 

Side Effects and Cautions 

•	 Saw palmetto may cause mild side effects, including stomach discomfort. 

•	 Some men using saw palmetto have reported side effects such as tender 

breasts and a decline in sexual desire. 

•	 Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative 

practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your 

health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. 
 

 

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Sources 

Saw palmetto. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on 

July 5, 2007. 

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens [Bartran] Small). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at 

http://www.naturalstandard.com on July 3, 2007. 

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 

New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005;635-644. 

De Smet PA. Herbal remedies. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002;347(25):2046-2056. 

National Cancer Institute. The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Questions and Answers. National Cancer Institute Web 

site. Accessed at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/PSA on July 10, 2007. 

Saw palmetto berry. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E 

Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:335-340. 

Bent S, Kane C, Shinohara K, et al. Saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia. New England Journal of Medicine. 

2006;354(6):557-566. 

For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

• What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/

• Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus 

Saw Palmetto Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-sawpalmetto.html

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute 

for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage 

you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The 

mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

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Created May 2006 

Updated March 2008 

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