BT-100 · Arecaceae

Saw palmetto

Serenoa repens

Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe

Most products are made from fruit wild-harvested in Florida; collecting requires a permit.

Other names: Serenoa
Part used: Fruit
Region: North America
Use: Healing, Food

Photo: Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, United States · CC BY 3.0 us · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Saw palmetto?

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a plant of the Arecaceae family. Traditions that use it: North America. Part used: fruit.

What is Saw palmetto used for?

Traditional use: The Seminole of Florida ate the fruit as food. Scientific evidence: limited. Large, well-designed trials showed saw palmetto extract works no better than placebo for urinary symptoms from prostate enlargement.

Is Saw palmetto safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Generally safe; can cause stomach complaints.

Traditional use

North America

The Seminole of Florida ate the fruit as food.

Today

The fruit extract is widely used for urinary complaints from benign prostate enlargement.

In nature

Where it grows: The US southeast, especially Florida’s sandy pine forests.
Harvest season: Fruit is picked August–October.
Local names: cüce palmiye, testere palmiyesi

Mix-up risk

Its leaf stalks are toothed like a saw, which gives it its name.

Preparation

The fruit extract is taken as capsules.

What science says

Large, well-designed trials showed saw palmetto extract works no better than placebo for urinary symptoms from prostate enlargement. The EMA recognises this use for some extracts.