Saw Palmetto, scientifically known as seranoa repens is a West Indian palm tree the berries of which are used in herbal remedies. The berries contain sterols, which are though to interfere with the action of testosterone. It is useful in the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. There have also been claims that it increases sexual activity and helps in low thyroid conditions, though such claims have not yet had adequate clinical trials. This is because it is sold as a dietary supplement rather than as a drug and so does not have to meet strict requirements. One problem with it is that there are considerable differences in the amounts of the active ingredient present in the various compounds available.
As a shampoo or in tablet form saw palmetto may help in case of alopecia due to the action of androgens, that is common male or female pattern baldness. Saw Palmetto is an active anti-androgen. It blocks 5 alpha reductase and so lowers levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone . It also blocks receptor sites for DHT thus disabling it. Saw palmetto is safe, is not known to react adversely with drugs. It is well tolerated, only a very few people complain that it upsets their stomach.
As normal hair only grows at about the rate of ½inch per month, it may be some time before the effects are obvious, an d hair will not regrow in dead follicles, but it may mean that at least the process of balding can be paused.
Related hair loss posts:
- Saw Palmetto and Hair Saw palmetto, technically known as serenoa repens, is a plant...
- Male Pattern Baldness Treatment Male pattern baldness is by far the commonest type and...
- DHT Inhibitors The presence of DHT, other wise known as dihydrotestosterone in...
- Causes of Baldness Baldness has been with us for a very long time....
- Nirozal and Hair Loss Sometimes called Nirozall, it is a shampoo. There are tablets...
Posted under Herbal Treatments
This post was written by admin on August 30, 2009
