Saw Palmetto For High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the major health concerns in the U.S. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to complications of other body organs especially the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Saw palmetto for high blood pressure has been utilized since the popularity of the herb. Though previous studies were only confined to saw palmetto's effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – an enlargement of the prostate – saw palmetto for high blood pressure was practiced by Native Americans many centuries ago.

Studies on saw palmetto began in the mid-1980's. Several studies agree with age-old claims regarding saw palmetto's efficacy in treating symptoms of BPH but it wasn't found to provide significant effect in reducing the size of an enlarged prostate. A study in Germany that lasted for three years confirmed the benefits of saw palmetto in BPH. Saw palmetto is a licensed herb and widely popular in several countries in Europe as an alternative medicine for such condition.

In contrast, other studies such as the one co-funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases tested 225 elderly males who were made to take 320mg in divided doses of saw palmetto extract daily. The patients reported no significant improvement in their conditions after the one-year study. There were no side effects noted, though, at least during the study period but there were two incidences of bleeding reported from patients who underwent surgery.

Aside from BPH, the uses of saw palmetto for high blood pressure remains a theory yet to be proven by scientific research. Additionally, other popular uses of saw palmetto are not yet supported by scientific evidences like acne, asthma, aphrodisiac, bronchitis, cancer, diabetes, diuretic, breast enlargement, libido, hormonal imbalance, lactation stimulant, prostate cancer, respiratory infection, and many more.

The active substances in saw palmetto are in its berries, which contain concentrated amounts of lauric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, phytosterols (plant sterols), and polysaccharides. Science is still not able to explain how these substances work on these illnesses including saw palmetto for high blood pressure. Patients are encouraged to seek medical advice when using saw palmetto considering its potency. Saw palmetto has not been tested on children, pregnant, and breast feeding women hence it is contraindicated.

Saw palmetto is one of the herbs unregulated by the U.S. FDA so that its other uses and effects still warrant scientific investigation. Studies do not guarantee its effectiveness, strength, effects, purity and product safety.