Saw Palmetto and Hair Loss

Saw palmetto is a popular herbal remedy that some people use to prevent or reverse hair loss. It comes from the Serenoa repens plant, a small palm tree native to the United States, particularly the West Indies. Native Americans have used it for its healing properties for a long time.

This article explores the research on saw palmetto and hair loss, explains how to use it, and discusses other possible remedies for hair loss.

Research

Studies suggest that saw palmetto may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is responsible for male pattern hair loss. Medications like finasteride (Proscar) also block this enzyme to treat hair loss in men.

Saw palmetto may also have anti-inflammatory effects, which could help protect against some causes of hair loss.

In one study, 10 men with androgenetic alopecia took a supplement containing saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol. Six out of the 10 showed improvements, but since the study was small, more research is needed.

A 2012 study involved 100 men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia. Over two years, one group took 320 mg of saw palmetto daily, while the other took 1 mg of finasteride. By the end, 38% of those who took saw palmetto saw improvements in their hair loss, compared to 68% of those who took finasteride. While finasteride was more effective, both treatments had an impact. The study also found that saw palmetto was less effective for more severe hair loss.

While smaller studies show promise for saw palmetto as a hair loss treatment, larger studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

How to Use Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is available in various forms, including oral supplements and hair care products like shampoos and conditioners.