Saw palmetto

Saw palmetto

Saw palmetto originates from West Indies and the Americas, and it has been used for its medicinal properties for ages. In this review, we shall see its possible remedies for hair loss.

Presently, scientific studies on saw palmetto and balding are few, but they have yielded encouraging results. So, how does it combat hair loss?

First, it is an excellent inhibitor for enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is known for its facilitation in the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from testosterone. Excess DHT causes hair follicles to reduce in size, and it slows down hair growth. Therefore, by regulating DHT formation saw palmetto prevents hair loss.

It may also contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Scalp inflammation and itchiness are known precursors to hair loss because of excess and aggressive scratching.

Saw palmetto could also facilitate the recovery from hair disorders like androgenetic alopecia. A 2002 study, which contained ten victims of the disease, was used to show its effectiveness. Each had to take palmetto and beta-sitosterol. Out of the ten, six showed notable improvement from the treatment.

Another 2012 study used 100 men with male-pattern baldness. One group took 320 mg of palmetto daily, and another took 1 mg of finasteride. After two years, 38% of those who took saw palmetto recovered compared to 68% from the finasteride group.

The study indicates that saw palmetto has an impact on hair loss prevention and recovery to some degree. However, when combined with other remedies, you can boost your prevention measures.

You can get saw palmetto as dried berries, liquid extracts, powdered capsules, or palmetto tablets. Tablets and capsules are readily available in many outlets. However, tea from the berries is unlikely since the active compounds don’t dissolve in water.

In summary, it is essential to note that the control groups in saw palmetto studies are small, and we need more conclusive research. If you want to give this remedy a go, it is essential to visit your physician for more advice and dosage.