Compound or practice · Supplement
Saw Palmetto
The classic prostate supplement — large trials say mostly placebo, though some men report symptom relief.
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
2 at grade C — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- BPH urinary symptomsEvidence grade C
CAMUS null
Smallmixed
Conditions
How the entry reads its effect on diagnosed conditions: the direction first, then the grade. Never a substitute for the person who treats you.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia May improveEvidence grade CTrial 8–12 weeksGrade C
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: BPH urinary symptoms (grade C).
Interactions
Documented pairings with supplements and medicines. A medicine on this list is a conversation for whoever prescribes it.
Stinging NettleWorks together
Common combined prostate formula.
The evidence in words
What it is
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) berry extract is used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) urinary symptoms.
How it works
Proposed 5-alpha-reductase inhibition and anti-inflammatory effects on prostate tissue.
What the evidence shows
The large, well-run CAMUS trial and Cochrane reviews found no better than placebo for BPH symptoms; some smaller studies and specific lipidosterolic extracts are more favorable. Widely used, weakly supported.
How to use it
320 mg/day of a standardized lipidosterolic extract, 8–12 week trial.
Safety & interactions
Well tolerated; mild GI upset; may affect PSA interpretation and has mild antiplatelet action. Stinging Nettle — Common combined prostate formula.
Bottom line
Popular but largely placebo in the best trials. Worth a monitored trial for BPH; don't expect much.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- 320 mg/day lipidosterolic extract.
Goes with
- Stinging NettleCommon combined prostate formula.Evidence grade C
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- PygeumAn African-plum bark for prostate symptoms with modest older evidence.Evidence grade C
- Pygeum for Benign prostatic hyperplasiaEvidence grade C — ModestEvidence grade C
- Pygeum for BPH urinary symptomsEvidence grade C — Older dataEvidence grade C
- Pygeum: dosage and how to take it100–200 mg standardized daily.Evidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.