What is Saw Palmetto Extract? Is it effective in treating BPH?
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract has long been used in Europe to treat an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). American use lags far behind Europe in part because Americans are not aware of the extensive European research on the herb. The most cited journal article is by G. Champault et al. 1984. American physicians generally don’t prescribe any drug other than Finasteride (Proscar), Terazosin HCI (Hytrin), or Doxazosin mesylate (Cardura) for BPH. But unlike these drugs, particularly Proscar, saw palmetto usually kicks in quickly. With the saw palmetto extract most men obtain relief of symptoms within the first 30 days. It also has far fewer and gentler side effects than the commonly prescribed drugs mentioned above.
