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There’s something deeply comforting about working with herbs that have stood the test of time, and Saw Palmetto is one of those trusted plant allies, especially when it comes to supporting men’s health.

From the sandy coasts of the southeastern United States to natural wellness apothecaries around the world, Saw Palmetto has been used for generations to support vitality, hormone balance, and the aging male body. And while it’s best known for prostate health, there’s more to this herb’s story than meets the eye.

It should be noted that Florida is extremely protective of their native plant as this wonderful resource has been exploited for commercial use. In July 2018, Florida’s Department of Agriculture added Saw Palmetto to the “Commercially Exploited Plant List,” recognizing its ecological importance as well as its commercial value. If you want to harvest Saw Palmetto berries in Florida, even on your own property, you must obtain a “Native Plant Harvesting Permit”. It’s free, but it is mandatory. If not harvesting on your own property, you must also obtain permission from the landowner before harvesting.

Does that mean Saw Palmetto is impossible to find as a supplement? Absolutely not! It simply means that naturalists and herbalists recognize that we must protect these beautiful and helpful plants and harvest them wisely so that future generations also have access to this wonderful herb. I’ll drop some resource links below. 👇👇👇

Let’s take a deep dive into the history, traditional uses, and precautions around this powerful little palm.

A Little History

Saw Palmetto (*Serenoa repens*) is a small palm native to the southeastern U.S.—especially Florida.

Native American tribes, including the Seminole, used the berries traditionally for a variety of health concerns, particularly reproductive and urinary issues in men.

Early American herbalists and Eclectic physicians in the 19th and early 20th centuries praised it as a nourishing tonic—especially for the prostate and male reproductive system.

What’s fascinating is that this wasn’t just used for "old men’s issues." It was also given to younger men dealing with reproductive imbalance, thinning hair, or fatigue related to stress and overwork.

Traditional and Modern Day Uses:

Prostate Health

Saw Palmetto is best known for its role in supporting men with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia)—a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It can help reduce nighttime urination and improve urinary flow.

A study published in The National Library of Medicine showed that the extract of Saw Palmetto has been widely evaluated (preclinical and clinical) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They found that the extract may help improve symptoms like frequent urination and a weak stream related to prostate enlargement. (1)

Hormonal Balance

Some men (and even women, in specific cases) use Saw Palmetto for balancing testosterone levels, supporting libido, energy, and mood when hormone levels are in flux.

Anti-Androgenic Mechanism
An androgen is a type of hormone that plays a key role in the development of male traits and reproductive activity, though both men and women have them. Androgens in men drive puberty (deepening the voice, facial hair, muscle growth), support sperm production, and maintain sex drive and bone density.

For women, androgens such as those found in Saw Palmetto help with libido, support muscle strength and muscle development, and act as precursors to estrogen! Some women benefit from Saw Palmetto, too!

A quick word to women -

I’ll never forget one customer who came into the herb shop I was managing—a woman in her late 30s, worn out, weepy, and frustrated. She’d been battling hormone imbalance for years. You name it—she’d tried it: Vitex, Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, all the usual go-to herbs for women.

After taking the time to really listen to her story (which is one of my favorite parts of this work), something clicked. We did something a little unexpected: we suggested Saw Palmetto.

As I’ve been sharing throughout this blog, Saw Palmetto is usually known as a “men’s herb,” but in her case? It was just the right fit.

And wouldn’t you know—it wasn’t long before her hormones began to level out. Her energy lifted, the weepiness left, her courage increased, the symptoms started to ease, and she finally felt like herself again.

Androgens are typically referred to as “male” hormones that both men and women produce. They are essential for reproductive and overall health. But too much or too little can throw things off.

While Saw Palmetto may be beneficial for some women, keep in mind that high androgen levels in females can lead to acne, excess facial or body hair, irregular periods, and hair thinning or hair loss.

For Men and Women

Saw Palmetto may help support a healthy libido.

An anti-androgen is something, sometimes a drug, but it can be a natural substance as well, that blocks or reduces the effects of androgens in the body. Androgens bind to androgen receptors located within cells. But an anti-androgen can bind to these cell receptors instead and block testosterone or DHT (dihydrotestosterone) from doing their job.

Because of this, anti-androgens may reduce the amount of testosterone or DHT the body makes, and they may block 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, a more potent androgen.

Natural anti-androgens include Spearmint, Reishi Mushroom, Licorice Root, and Saw Palmetto.

Saw Palmetto contains free fatty acids—especially lauric acid—that inhibit 5α‑reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. This reduction in DHT may help manage prostate enlargement.

Urinary Tract Support

One of the primary causes of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—a non-cancerous, age-related enlargement of the prostate gland—is the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT stimulates the growth of prostate cells, and as the prostate enlarges, it can press against the urethra, leading to a range of uncomfortable urinary symptoms. These may include a weak stream, dribbling, incomplete bladder emptying, and frequent nighttime urination.

Saw Palmetto is best known for its ability to ease these symptoms by supporting healthy prostate function. It improves urine flow and reduces urinary frequency in men with BPH by addressing the root causes. Saw Palmetto’s ability to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase helps to slow or reduce prostate enlargement.

In addition to its hormone-balancing effects, Saw Palmetto contains phytosterols like β‑sitosterol, which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the prostate, offering a soothing, restorative effect on irritated tissue.

It’s important to note that elevated DHT levels don’t directly cause inflammation in the prostate. In fact, men with prostate cancer often have high levels of DHT, while those with low DHT levels may experience prostatitis, an inflammatory condition of the prostate. This distinction highlights how complex prostate health can be—what helps in one situation may not apply to another. Always consult with your healthcare professional if you have concerns about your prostate or urinary symptoms to ensure you receive the right support for your specific needs.

Trusted Herbal Options to Explore:

Here are a few carefully selected herbal products to explore. These are trusted for their quality and alignment with the support discussed in this article. (Affiliate links are included. I might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Solgar Saw Palmetto Berries
NSP Saw Palmetto
NSP Men’s Formula Prostate Support
Nature’s Answer Saw Palmetto Berries liquid

SAVE 20% OFF your first order with Nature’s Sunshine Products (NSP) by using the Coupon Code **NEW20** when checking out.

Precautions & Medication Interactions

Saw Palmetto is generally well tolerated, but there are a few important things to keep in mind:

Medication Cautions:

Hormone-related medications: Because it affects hormone metabolism, those taking hormone replacement therapy or medications for prostate cancer should speak with their healthcare provider before using Saw Palmetto.
Blood thinners: There’s a slight risk of increased bleeding, so caution is advised for anyone on anticoagulant medications like warfarin or aspirin.
Birth control pills: In theory, it may interfere with hormonal birth control due to its effects on hormone balance.

Not Recommended:

For pregnant or breastfeeding women (due to hormonal activity)
For children, unless under the supervision of a knowledgeable practitioner

Saw Palmetto shows promise in supporting prostate and urinary tract health through anti-androgen and anti-inflammatory effects, but results can vary. For some, choosing a well-standardized extract (e.g., high in lauric acid and β-sitosterol) may improve outcomes and enhance its reliability.

Resources:

Kwon Y. (2019). Use of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Food science and biotechnology, 28(6), 1599–1606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-019-00605-9

MedlinePlus. (2022). Androgens. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002334.htm

Nelson, R. J. (2017). An introduction to behavioral endocrinology (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Nieschlag, E., Behre, H. M., & Nieschlag, S. (Eds.). (2010). Andrology: Male reproductive health and dysfunction (3rd ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-78355-8

Basaria, S. (2014). Androgen deprivation therapy, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular mortality: An inconvenient truth. Journal of Andrology, *35*(3), 282–284. https://doi.org/10.2164/jandrol.112.017491

Ho, S. M., Leung, Y. K., & Chung, I. (2011). Estrogens and anti-androgens as endocrine disruptors in human prostate cancer. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, *127*(3–5), 83–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2011.03.001]

Medscape. (n.d.). Antiandrogens, Nonsteroidal - Mechanism of Action, Indications, and Uses. Retrieved June 2025, from https://emedicine.medscape.com

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). (2018). Saw palmetto berries added to commercially exploited plant list. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Conservation/Plants/Saw-Palmetto

Florida Statutes. (2023). § 581.185 – Preservation of native flora of Florida. The Florida Senate. Retrieved from https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/581.185

University of Florida IFAS Extension. (2019). Saw palmetto: A native plant with commercial importance. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR003

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). (2021). Illegal harvest of saw palmetto berries leads to multiple arrests. Retrieved from https://myfwc.com/news/all-news/saw-palmetto-enforcement/

Saw Palmetto: A Time-Tested Ally for Men’s Health