Am Fam Physician. 2003 Mar; 67(6): 1281-3.

Saw palmetto for prostate disorders.

Gordon AE, Shaughnessy AF.

Harrisburg Family Practice Residency Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-2098, USA. [email protected]

Saw palmetto is an herbal product used in the treatment of symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The active component is found in the fruit of the American dwarf palm tree. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of saw palmetto in reducing symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Saw palmetto appears to have efficacy similar to that of medications like finasteride, but it is better tolerated and less expensive. There are no known drug interactions with saw palmetto, and reported side effects are minor and rare. No data on its long-term usage are available. The herbal product also has been used to treat chronic prostatitis, but currently there is no evidence of its efficacy.