Saw Palmetto, Sabal serrulatum

• Used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Medicinal element taken from the ripe fruit of the American dwarf palm tree, the active part being the sterols and free fatty acids in the berry. Currently used in 50% of BPH treatments in Ital

• Mechanism of action not completely clear. Possibilities are anti-inflammatory activity, blocked conversion of testosterone to DHT, and prostate epithelial involution.

• Treatments with Saw Palmetto have been evaluated by measuring its effect on diminished urine stream, post-void dribbling, urinary retention, urine flow rate, etc.

• In a Cochrane review, investigators conducted a meta-analysis of 21 trials comparing the herb to placebo or medications. Study had a total of 3,139 patients with a men ago of 65 years. Saw palmetto improved overall symptom scores, individual symptoms, a

• Studies that compared the herb to finasteride showed they had similar positive effects on urinary symptom scores and peak urine flow