Although hair loss is in no way a chronic disease, it nonetheless has life-changing effects especially with one's self-esteem. Thankfully, there are many treatments and medications in the marketplace that seek to cure the problem. Saw palmetto is one of the options available to you if you're looking for a more affordable remedy.

Saw Palmetto and Hair Loss

Saw palmetto is a herbal ingredient that has been extensively used in Europe for treating symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), a condition wherein a person's prostate is unnaturally large. While it is not part of the standard treatment used for treating BPH, it has still become the most commonly used herbal treatment for this particular illness.

Saw palmetto is known by other names such as palmetto scrub, American dwarf palm tree, and saw palmetto berry. Its scientific names include Serona repens and Serenoa serrulata. Even in the old days, saw palmetto had been already used as a herbal remedy. The Seminoles had taken its berries and used them as ingredients for making an antiseptic and expectorant while the Mayans had utilized saw palmetto as a tonic.

In the early 20th century, saw palmetto was included in the list of the National Formulary and the United States Pharmacopeia. In Europe, however, several countries had already made saw palmetto extract as a licensed product.

Hair loss or baldness is a state of lacking hair, especially in the scalp area. Androgenic alopecia, also known as male-pattern baldness, is the most common type of hair loss. Androgenic alopecia also affects females however and it is why the condition is also referred to as female patterned baldness.

The nature and severity of hair loss varies from case to case. With alopecia areata, baldness is characterized by patches of hair loss in the scalp area while alopecia totalis involves generalized loss of hair also in the scalp area. Alopecia universalis, on the other hand, affects hair on the head and body.

The use of saw palmetto for hair loss is often marketed as a more affordable cure and one with fewer side effects. It is said to be effective since saw palmetto can prevent certain testosterone derived chemicals from restricting hair growth. This is similar to the method of action used by finasteride, one of the two approved hair loss treatments by the FDA.

Children and Saw Palmetto

It is possible for children to experience hair loss early on. Unfortunately, saw palmetto is presently not a safe remedy to use for children as there is insufficient information available to prove its efficacy and more importantly its safety.

Saw Palmetto and the US Food and Drug Administration

Herbal medications and treatments, which include those using saw palmetto, are not regulated strictly by the US Food and Drug Administration. As such, consumers must find a way to validate the safety and effectiveness of saw palmetto products for their personal use.It is very important to consult your doctor prior to taking any medication. Read and follow labels and instructions carefully.