Organically Grown Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is a plant native to the eastern United States, with a history of use originating with the Seminole tribe in Florida, according to Medicinal Herb Info. The plant produces dark purple or black fruits resembling olives, which are harvested to produce extracts. S. Department of Agriculture standards, which prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms, radiation, sewage sludge, or conventional fertilizers.
According to MedlinePlus, saw palmetto supplements are primarily utilized for symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. MedlinePlus also notes that it has been used in connection with migraines, chronic bronchitis, asthma, sore throat, colds, and coughs, while anecdotal reports of use for hair thickening lack confirming research studies. In a study published in the September 2010 issue of Urologia, researchers at Università degli Studi di Palermo evaluated 320 patients and observed that lower urinary tract symptoms associated with enlarged prostates were reduced in 85 percent of subjects, with no observable side effects reported.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes potential contraindications, stating that saw palmetto should be avoided during pregnancy or breastfeeding, by individuals taking blood thinners due to an increased risk of bleeding, and by those taking oral contraceptives or estrogen, as it may interfere with these medications. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, saw palmetto is prepared in various forms, including dried or ground fruit, tablets, capsules, teas, infusions, and liquid extracts.