Saw Palmetto for the Treatment of Hair Loss

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small palm found in the southeastern United States. This palm grows to a height of 2 to 4 meters and its fan-like leaves have around 20 leaflets. The plant derived its name from the spiny, saw-like petiole (slender stem that supports the leaf). Saw palmetto lacks an erect stem and is very slow-growing. They are commonly found as dense bushes in coastal areas or as undergrowth in pine woods. They have a very long lifespan, with some of them reaching the age of 500 to 700 years.

The reddish black berries of the saw palmetto are rich in fatty acids and phytosterols. The extract of these berries has been used in traditional and alternative medicines for a number of diseases, like benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary tract infections. It is believed that this extract can hinder the action of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a critical factor in the growth of the prostate gland.

According to the proponents of saw palmetto, the same mechanism of action may be useful in the treatment of hair loss too. Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia, is a condition, where the hair is lost from the temples in a well defined 'M' shape. This can occur in females too. This condition is related to the level of hormones called androgens, especially, an androgen called dihydrotestosterone. Men with this type of hair loss have low levels of total testosterone, higher levels of free testosterone, and higher levels of DHT. Free testosterones are converted into DHT, by the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, predominantly found in the scalp and the prostate. This explains the high levels of DHT in the scalp of men with androgenic alopecia.

DHT gets attached to the hair follicles, and blocks the absorption of nutrients from the blood. This causes shrinkage of the follicles, resulting in thin hair. If left untreated, this condition can lead to complete loss of hair. DHT, being the cause for androgenic alopecia as well as prostatic hyperplasia, the treatment for the latter may be effective against the former too. Both conditions require the blockade of DHT production, which is achieved by the saw palmetto extract.

Even though, there is no scientific evidence to prove the efficacy of saw palmetto extract in treating hair loss, it has been found that using this herb can prevent hair loss. Saw palmetto supplements are widely used in many European countries for treating a number of diseases. This herb is associated with some side-effects too. The common ones are bad breath, gastrointestinal problems and heart diseases. It is believed that saw palmetto extract can also adversely affect the sex hormones.

If you want to try this herb, always remember to first consult your doctor, before starting any treatment. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid this to prevent any complications. Avail this treatment from a qualified practitioner only.