Urinary pattern changes are a common occurrence in men, especially those over the age of 50 years. Most of the time, urinary issues are mild and do not require any medicinal treatment. For severe cases, the doctor will recommend simple lifestyle changes, medication or in extreme cases surgery. You might be facing this issue due to various reasons like inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), blockage in the tubes (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or simply a function of old age.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens), is a widely used herbal treatment for urinary problems in men. It is basically referred to the extract of deep purple berries borne by palm trees, found in the southern coastal regions of America. These magical berries are made into over-the-counter herbal preparations, as an alternative treatment for curing a wide array of urinary problems.
Benefits of Saw Palmetto:
You can consider taking it if you are facing urinary issues like:
- Frequent urination, both during day time and night time.
- Unbearable urinary urgency that doesn’t let you control your bladder.
- If the urine stream is slow to start.
- Continued urine dribble even after you have finished urination.
- Getting sensations that the bladder isn't fully emptied, even after urinating.
- Lack of force in the urine flow.
Despite the lack of supporting scientific data, Saw Palmetto continues to be amongst the most popular dietary supplements for men. Herbalists believe that it not only cures difficulties in urination but also works as a natural aphrodisiac. It is rich in phytonutrients that help in reducing oxidative stress by neutralizing the oxidation process. It is primarily made up of fatty acids, plant sterols, flavonoids and high molecular weight polysaccharides (sugars), that help in strengthening the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Apart from urinary troubles, you can also consume Saw Palmetto to cure medical issues related to hair loss, low sex drive, low sperm count, ongoing pelvic pain, bronchitis, diabetes, prostate cancer, prostatic hyperplasia, and migraines. This, of course, must be opted after a detailed consultation with your medical practitioner.
Precautions while using Saw Palmetto:
It’s best to avail consultation with a practicing herbalist for treating severe conditions. There are few precautions that you must consider before self-medication of this herb. For one, Saw Palmetto does not mix well with painkillers, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs and hormone treatments. So, if you are taking modern or allopathic medication, do check with your medical practitioner before initiating a high dose of Saw Palmetto.
Prolonged use of this herb or an overdose of it may cause some temporary reactions. The known side-effects of Saw Palmetto include nausea, bad breath, headache, stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and constipation.
In cases of blood in urine, painful urination and other severe symptoms, it is best to consult the doctor immediately.
Dosage
Since its available in the market in several forms like dried berries, liquid tinctures, capsules, liposterolic extracts and tea, the dosage would differ accordingly. Always buy the Sam Palmetto extract from reputed companies and don’t forget to read the label on the product. It should mention that contents are standardized and they contain around 90% of fatty acids and sterols. For best results, you should consider taking it for 4-8 weeks.
Despite scientifically unsubstantiated claims and reported side effects, this remarkable fruit continues to be one of the top ten herbs consumed in the world.
0 Comments