Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens): the berry behind many men's and hair formulas
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a low-growing fan palm from the south-eastern United States. Its dark berries are dried and made into extracts that have a long tradition of use in men's wellness and, more recently, hair-nutrition formulas.
Key takeaways
- Saw palmetto is a palm; the berries are the part used in supplements.
- It has a traditional place in men's wellness and hair-care formulas.
- Hairon lists saw palmetto extract on the front of its pack.
- Tell your GP if you use hormone-related medicines or have a hormone-sensitive condition.
- Capsule extracts are standardised differently, so read the label.
What is saw palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a small palm that grows in sandy coastal soil, pine woods and scrubland across Florida and neighbouring states. It rarely stands taller than a few metres, and the stems carry sharp, saw-toothed edges. That is where the common name comes from.
The plant produces clusters of oval berries that turn from green to deep blue-black as they ripen. Those berries are the part used in supplements. The botanical name is Serenoa repens.
Where does saw palmetto come from, and who first used it?
Indigenous peoples of the American south-east gathered the berries as food and as a traditional remedy long before European settlers arrived. Later herbal practitioners in North America and Europe adopted it, mainly for men's concerns linked to ageing.
Today the berries are harvested wild in late summer, dried, and then extracted with a solvent or pressed to a lipid-rich oil. Manufacturers then fill capsules or softgels with that extract. Because suppliers use different methods, the strength of an extract differs from one product to the next, which is why the label and the pack's listing matter.
What is saw palmetto traditionally used for?
In herbal tradition, saw palmetto is associated with men's wellness, particularly for men over forty-five who pay attention to urinary comfort. That tradition is why you meet it in so many men's formulas.
More recently, formulators have added saw palmetto to hair-nutrition capsules for men and women. We describe this as traditional and modern formulation use, not as a promise of any result. The plant is part of the story, and the other nutrients in a formula complete it.
Vitamins and minerals have defined nutrient wording. Plant extracts do not, so we only describe how saw palmetto is traditionally used and leave out claims about effects.
How does saw palmetto appear in Hairon?
Hairon's pack names saw palmetto first among its headline ingredients: saw palmetto, biotin, zinc and vitamin D3. The seller describes the capsule as hair nutrition for men and women aged about 35 and over, taken as one capsule a day after a meal with water, for the full course.
The extract amount is printed on the pack, and the call-centre adviser can read the full list when you order. We cannot give a figure we have not seen on the pack.
Who should talk to a GP or pharmacist before using saw palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a plant with a hormone-related reputation in traditional medicine, so some caution is sensible. Please talk to your GP or pharmacist first if you use hormone-related medicines, including hormone therapy or contraception, or have a hormone-sensitive condition.
Speak to a professional as well if you take blood thinners such as warfarin, because plant extracts can interact. Stop and ask for advice if you have an operation planned. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should leave it out unless a doctor says otherwise.
- You use hormone therapy or a hormonal contraceptive
- You take warfarin or other blood thinners
- You have a prostate check or surgery booked
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
Frequently asked questions
Is saw palmetto only for men?
Its best-known traditional use is in men's wellness, but formulators also include it in hair-nutrition capsules for men and women. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or on hormone therapy should ask a professional first.
What part of the saw palmetto plant is used?
The ripe berries. They are dried and extracted, then put into capsules or pressed into an oil.
How long do people usually take saw palmetto?
It depends on the product. Follow the directions on the pack you hold. Hairon, for example, gives a one-capsule daily routine to be completed as a course.
Can I take saw palmetto with other medicines?
Some combinations call for care, especially hormone-related medicines and blood thinners. Show the pack to your pharmacist and ask whether it suits your list of medicines.
Does saw palmetto cause stomach upset?
Some people notice mild stomach discomfort when they take it on an empty stomach. Taking the capsule after a meal with a glass of water is the usual advice.
