special subjects
Saw Palmetto
Does saw palmetto work?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest thatsaw palmettoreverses benign prostatic hyperplasia. Although well-designed studies did not show any benefit fromsaw palmettofor symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland, such as frequent urination, some evidence suggests that a specific chemical extracted fromsaw palmettodecreases night-time urination and increases the rate at which urine flows from the bladder. Claims that it increases sperm production, breast size, or sexual vigor are unproved, as are claims that it has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. There is no clear evidence thatsaw palmettoincreases hair growth in people with male pattern baldness. 