Key Constituents

Fatty acids and phytosterols (beta-sitosterol)^[12]

The lipid/sterol fraction proposed to act on the prostate.

Phytosterols

Flavonoids^[12]

Antioxidant constituents of the berry.

Flavonoids

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Prostate support^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]}Strong · 10/10

Lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - widely used, but high-quality Cochrane evidence shows it is NOT better than placebo, even at double and triple doses

more plants for prostate support →detailed sources →

Urinary support^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13]}Strong · 10/10

General urinary support (traditional); Lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - widely used, but high-quality Cochrane evidence shows it is NOT better than placebo, even at double and triple doses

more plants for urinary support →detailed sources →

Urinary tract infection (UTI)^{[12, 13]}Good · 8/10

Lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - widely used, but high-quality Cochrane evidence shows it is NOT better than placebo, even at double and triple doses

more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[12, 13]}Caution

Generally well tolerated; mild gastrointestinal upset is the most common effect. BPH must be medically diagnosed (to exclude prostate cancer), and because the best evidence does not show benefit, saw palmetto should not replace proven treatment.

Safety note^[12]Caution

Has mild anti-androgen and antiplatelet effects, so use caution with anticoagulant medicines and before surgery; avoid in pregnancy (hormonal activity).

References

REF-0571, REF-0572, REF-1887, REF-1888, REF-1889, REF-1890, REF-1891, REF-1892, REF-1893, REF-1894, REF-1895

References & Sources

Vela-Navarrete, R., Alcaraz, A., Rodriguez-Antolin, A., Minana Lopez, B., Fernandez-Gomez, J.M. and others (2018) 'Efficacy and safety of a hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH): systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies', BJU International, 122(6), pp. 1049--1065. doi:10.1111/bju.14362 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.14362
Novara, G., Giannarini, G., Alcaraz, A., Cozar-Olmo, J.M., Descazeaud, A., Montorsi, F. and Ficarra, V (2016) 'Efficacy and Safety of Hexanic Lipidosterolic Extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) in the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials', European Urology Focus, 2(5), pp. 553--561. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2016.04.002 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2016.04.002
Franco, J.V., Trivisonno, L., Sgarbossa, N.J., Alvez, G.A., Fieiras, C., Escobar Liquitay, C.M. and Jung, J.H (2023) 'Serenoa repens for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6(6), pp. CD001423. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001423.pub4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001423.pub4
Ooi, S.L. and Pak, S.C (2017) 'Serenoa repens for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Current Evidence and Its Clinical Implications in Naturopathic Medicine', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(8), pp. 599-606. doi:10.1089/acm.2016.0302 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0302
Cai, T., Cui, Y., Yu, S., Li, Q., Zhou, Z. and Gao, Z (2020) 'Comparison of Serenoa repens With Tamsulosin in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', American Journal of Men's Health, 14(2), pp. 1557988320905407. doi:10.1177/1557988320905407 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988320905407
Trivisonno, L.F., Sgarbossa, N., Alvez, G.A., Fieiras, C., Escobar Liquitay, C.M., Jung, J.H. and Franco, J.V.A (2021) 'Serenoa repens for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Investigative and Clinical Urology, 62(5), pp. 520-534. doi:10.4111/icu.20210254 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.4111/icu.20210254
Kwon, Y (2019) 'Use of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract for benign prostatic hyperplasia', Food Science and Biotechnology, 28(6), pp. 1599-1606. doi:10.1007/s10068-019-00605-9 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-019-00605-9
MacDonald, R., Tacklind, J.W., Rutks, I. and Wilt, T.J (2012) 'Serenoa repens monotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): an updated Cochrane systematic review', BJU International, 109(12), pp. 1756-1761. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11172.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11172.x
Minutoli, L., Bitto, A., Squadrito, F., Marini, H., Irrera, N., Morgia, G., Passantino, A. and Altavilla, D (2013) 'Serenoa Repens, lycopene and selenium: a triple therapeutic approach to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia', Current Medicinal Chemistry, 20(10), pp. 1306-1312. doi:10.2174/0929867311320100007 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867311320100007
Boyle, P., Robertson, C., Lowe, F. and Roehrborn, C (2004) 'Updated meta-analysis of clinical trials of Serenoa repens extract in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia', BJU International, 93(6), pp. 751-756. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2003.04735.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2003.04735.x
Willetts, K.E., Clements, M.S., Champion, S., Ehsman, S. and Eden, J.A (2003) 'Serenoa repens extract for benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized controlled trial', BJU International, 92(3), pp. 267-270. doi:10.1046/j.1464-410x.2003.04316.x Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1464-410x.2003.04316.x
Keehn, A. and Lowe, F.C (2015) 'Complementary and alternative medications for benign prostatic hyperplasia', The Canadian Journal of Urology. Randomized trial
Find this source
Tacklind, J., Macdonald, R., Rutks, I., Stanke, J.U. and Wilt, T.J (2012) 'Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001423.pub3 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001423.pub3

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