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Background:
The plant's berries can be made into tea. Saw palmetto is also available as tablets, capsules, and a liquid extract.
Medicinal Claims:
Saw palmetto opposes the actions of testosterone. It is used to treat benign enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia). In seven of eight relatively well-designed studies, saw palmetto relieved the symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland, such as the frequent urge to urinate.
Claims that it increases sperm production, breast size, or sexual vigor are unproved.
Possible Side Effects:
Headache and diarrhea occasionally occur. Because saw palmetto may have hormonal effects, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not take it. Women taking hormone replacement therapy should consult their doctor before they take saw palmetto. Saw palmetto may interact with estrogen replacement therapy and oral contraceptives.
Last full review/revision February 2003
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