Remedy · herb
Saw palmetto
Also: Serenoa repens
The classic prostate herb — but high-quality trials show it doesn't beat placebo for BPH.
Evidence by condition
Each grade reflects the research for Saw palmetto and that condition specifically.
- CHair loss
Small trials suggest a modest reduction in hair fall and DHT, but it is clearly weaker than finasteride.
1 citation
- Oral and topical administration of a standardized saw palmetto oil reduces hair fall and improves hair growth in androgenetic alopecia: a 16-week randomized, placebo-controlled study Randomized trial 2023 · n=80 · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology · PMID 38021422 · DOI 10.2147/CCID.S435795
- Oral and topical administration of a standardized saw palmetto oil reduces hair fall and improves hair growth in androgenetic alopecia: a 16-week randomized, placebo-controlled study
- DBenign prostatic hyperplasia
High-certainty Cochrane evidence shows little to no difference from placebo in urinary symptoms or quality of life, even at higher doses.
2 citation s
- Serenoa repens for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement: an updated Cochrane review Systematic review 2024 · n=4,656 · World Journal of Men's Health · PMID 38164033 · DOI 10.5534/wjmh.230222
- Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia Systematic review 2009 · n=5,222 · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 19370565 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD001423.pub2
- Serenoa repens for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement: an updated Cochrane review
Saw palmetto is the most popular prostate supplement, but the strongest evidence — a high-certainty Cochrane review — shows it is no better than placebo for BPH. It has weak, modest evidence for hair loss, far below finasteride.