Indigenous to the Southeastern United States, the saw palmetto plant boasts a significant historical connection with Native Americans for its use in addressing urinary and reproductive issues.
This botanical is commonly marketed to help with issues associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), hair loss and it may play a role in supporting balanced hormones.
In this article, we share our top picks for the best brands of saw palmetto supplement. Additionally, discover the latest findings from current research on this supplement.
Best saw palmetto supplement: shortlist
- Nutrafol — best saw palmetto supplement for hair loss
- Herbal Roots — best high dose saw palmetto supplement
- NOW — best saw palmetto for prostate
- New Chapter — best herb-based supplement including saw palmetto
- Nutricost — best one active ingredient saw palmetto supplement
- Havasu Nutrition — best saw palmetto supplement for women
Comparison of the best saw palmetto
| Supplement | Total cost | Cost per serving | Strength | Daily dose | Servings per container | Vegan-friendly |
| Nutrafol | $88.00 | $2.93 | Does not specify | 4 capsules | 30 | No |
| Herbal Roots | $26.99 | 90 cents | 1000 mg | 2 capsules | 30 | Yes |
| NOW | $18.99 | 42 cents | 160 mg | 2 softgels | 45 | No |
| New Chapter | $63.00 | 70 cents | 320 mg | 2 capsules | 90 | No |
| Nutricost | $17.95 | 30 cents | 1000 mg | 2 capsules | 60 | Does not specify |
| Havasu Nutrition | $24.99 | 83 cents | 1500 mg | 2 capsules | 30 | Yes |
Some of these supplements contain major allergens or may have been manufactured in facilities that handle major allergens (such as nuts, soy, dairy, or other common allergens). Individuals with known allergies or sensitivities should exercise caution and carefully review the product's ingredient list before use. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about potential allergic reactions. Discontinue use immediately if you experience any adverse reactions.
Best saw palmetto supplement of 2024: overview
We know that looking for the best saw palmetto supplement can be daunting. To help you with your research, we’ve created a list that includes the potential benefits of each supplement, information about the supplier, as well as pros and cons of each product.
During the development of this list, we evaluated an assortment of brands and products that provide saw palmetto supplements.
While each of these products is a saw palmetto supplement, individually, they have unique blends and compositions that offer various benefits.
1. Nutrafol — best saw palmetto supplement for hair
This Nutrafol supplement is claimed to support hair growth and reduce excess shedding. The product is made from a proprietary blend that includes saw palmetto extract together with a wide range of active ingredients, including collagen, and hyaluronic acid.
The supplement has been tested in one clinical trial with 87 participants of various ethnic backgrounds. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of this supplement over 24 weeks in men and women. The authors concluded that Nutrafol was beneficial for hair health as it improved visible hair growth and led to less notable shedding.
The serving recommendation is four capsules daily. The bottle contains 30 servings in total and costs $88 if purchased without the subscription. If you opt for a subscription, you will receive additional perks such as wellness coaching.
2. Herbal Roots — best high dose saw palmetto supplement
Herbal Roots Saw Palmetto supplement may promote men’s health by potentially supporting prostate health and balancing hormones. The company also claims the supplement may help with weak urinary organs in older adults and those who have gone through menopause. The supplement comes in capsule form and contains 1000 mg of saw palmetto in each capsule.
Herbal Roots claims that they are proud to offer supplements that are 100% pure, non-GMO, and contain no added ingredients. They produce their supplements in a GMP-certified facility and independently test each batch for quality.
Each amber glass bottle contains 30 servings at the recommended dose of two capsules daily. The capsules are made from plant cellulose and are vegan-friendly.
One bottle of Herbal Roots Saw Palmetto supplement costs $26.99.
3. NOW — best saw palmetto for prostate health
This supplement for men's health by NOW is one of the best saw palmetto supplements aimed to support prostate health. Each serving (2 softgels) contains 160 mg of saw palmetto, 1 gram of pumpkin seed oil, and 20 mg of zinc.
Since 1968, NOW, a family-owned company, has been producing supplements with quality and safety in mind. This product is made in GMP-certified facilities that adhere to strict quality standards.
The product has gathered more than 1,600 reviews on Amazon and averages 4.5 stars out of 5. Many customers report the capsule of this product to be easy to swallow.
One bottle of NOW supplement costs $18.99 and contains 45 servings.
4. New Chapter — best herb-based supplement that includes saw palmetto
Prostate 5LX by New Chapter is a herb-based supplement tailored specifically to foster men’s health, focusing on promoting prostate health and urinary function. The product is formulated with a blend of plant-origin ingredients, including saw palmetto (320 mg), nettle, and green tea extract. Moreover, it features selenium, an essential mineral that is important for male fertility.
The brand behind the supplement, New Chapter, was around 1982. Since its beginning, the brand has remained dedicated to creating supplements that utilize herbs. According to the brand, they are guided by principles of sustainability and quality.
A bottle containing 90 servings is now priced at $63 as a one-time purchase.
5. Nutricost — best minimal ingredient saw palmetto supplement
Crafted from one active ingredient, saw palmetto powder, this supplement by Nutricost offers a great option for those who prefer one-ingredient products. Each serving of this product delivers 1,000 mg of saw palmetto. It is worth noting that the dose of saw palmetto in this supplement is larger than commonly used in clinical trials, thus it is important to approach this product with caution and discuss the usage with your healthcare provider.
According to the brand, this product is vegetarian-friendly. Keep in mind that the brand does not specify if it is suitable for other people following other plant-based diets such as vegans.
Nutricost uses GMP-certified facilities to manufacture their goods.
Right now, you can purchase one bottle of Nutricost for $17.95. The product contains 60 servings in total.
6. Havasu Nutrition — best saw palmetto supplement for women
Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto supplement is a unique product designed for women's health. By creating a blend of biotin (5000 mcg) with saw palmetto (1500 mg), this brand claims that the supplement may help decrease early hair loss, stimulate hair growth, and nourish your hair, skin, and nails.
Havasu Nutrition carries an ISO certification, meaning its products meet specific requirements of quality manufacturing. They produce their supplements in FDA-approved facilities and ensure the quality and safety of each ingredient through third-party testing.
Each bottle contains 60 capsules. The recommended daily dose is two capsules taken once daily with a meal.
One bottle of Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto costs $23.66.
How we compiled the list of best saw palmetto supplements
| Ingredient quality | Provider reputation | Price | Third-party testing |
| Prioritized natural ingredients | Established and reputable companies | $18.90-29.96 | Independent laboratory certification |
- Ingredient quality. We chose products that prioritized natural ingredients while avoiding artificial additives.
- Provider reputation. We selected brands with known reputations for offering quality supplements.
- Price. We looked for products that pair quality ingredients with reasonable prices.
- Third-party testing. We nominated products that undergo third-party testing to ensure the product meets the highest quality standards.
What is saw palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a palm-like plant native to the Southeastern area of the United States. Other common names of saw palmetto include the American dwarf palm tree and cabbage palm. The saw palmetto supplement is extracted from the berries of the plant.
Native Americans historically used saw palmetto to treat urinary and reproductive problems.
While saw palmetto's exact mechanism of action is not yet known, experts believe it contains compounds that stop the enzyme needed for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT is responsible for growing the cells of the prostate gland, which can lead to an enlarged prostate. Saw palmetto also appears to help decrease inflammation.
Most people report that they tolerated saw palmetto well. Mild side effects may include digestive discomfort or headache.
As with all supplements, it’s best to check with your healthcare provider if saw palmetto is safe for you.
Research is mixed on who may benefit from saw palmetto. Several studies indicate these possibilities:
- Helps promote a healthy prostate.
- Decreasing hair loss.
- Promotes urinary tract health.
- Helps to balance hormones.
- Supports overall health.
Men with prostate health concerns
Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when the prostate gland enlarges and restricts urinary outflow. This condition is common in older males.
Because saw palmetto helps decrease the conversion of testosterone to DHT – the enzyme that increases cell growth of the prostate – researchers have studied if it can help BPH.
While few studies have reported positive results, others did not see any improvement.
One 12-week study showed improved BPH symptoms in males who took beta-sitosterol enriched saw palmetto oil capsules.
Another study found that males who took saw palmetto supplements experienced better urine flow, sexual function, and quality of life compared with those in the test who took the placebo.
However, a large epidemiological study found no clinical benefits on the urinary tract related to saw palmetto supplements.
Individuals with hair loss issues
Hair loss is a common problem, particularly in middle age, when hormones tend to fluctuate, or people may be on medications that cause hair loss as a side effect.
While research is still limited, a review of several studies explored the benefits of saw palmetto for hair loss, particularly hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia – a common form of hair loss for both males and females. It is believed that saw palmetto may block the sex hormones responsible for hair loss.
Two studies from this review of research found that men who took saw palmetto supplements noticed an improvement in their hair loss. One study gave participants 50 mg of B-sitosterol and 200 mg of saw palmetto. About 60% of participants saw improvements in their hair compared to only 11% of the control group. The other study compared saw palmetto and finasteride medication. Approximately 68% of participants in the finasteride group experienced hair growth, while 38% in the saw palmetto group experienced new hair growth.
A third study included in the review of research looked at the benefits of topical saw palmetto. They found that 3.3 mL of saw palmetto serum applied for four weeks, and 2 mL lotion for 24 weeks increased the average hair count of men with androgenetic alopecia.
While some research shows promise for saw palmetto helping with hair loss, research is still limited and there is a need for stronger evidence of these effects.
People seeking urinary health support
Problems with the urinary tract, such as difficulty urinating or urinary incontinence, are common among older adults.
While we have already discussed how saw palmetto may help with urinary problems related to BPH, other urinary issues, such as overactive bladder and needing to urinate frequently at night, may also benefit.
One 12-week study found that Japanese females saw improvements in their overactive bladder symptoms while taking saw palmetto.
While that study shows promise, more research is needed on this topic.
Women with Hormonal Imbalances (PCOS)
Research shows that saw palmetto may reduce elevated hormones, including prolactin, which is typically elevated in people with PCOS.
Saw palmetto is hypothesized to help decrease the conversion of testosterone into its active form, which may help PCOS symptoms.
Animal studies have also shown that saw palmetto helps regulate follicle maturation, formation, ovulation, and cyst formation associated with PCOS.
While there is some promise for using saw palmetto for PCOS and other hormone imbalances, research is limited and currently only animal-based.
Athletes looking for natural performance enhancers
Athletes frequently turn to supplements to help enhance their performance. Saw palmetto may contain some beneficial attributes for athletic performance. However, the research is very limited.
Some have thought that due to saw palmetto’s ability to enhance testosterone levels, it may also boost athletic performance.
One study found that supplementing with saw palmetto and pygeum africana increased the concentration of steroid levels in the urine.
Older adults focusing on overall wellness
Older adults often experience the symptoms previously discussed, such as urinary tract problems, BPH, hair loss, and hormonal imbalances.
While some studies show promise in these areas, there are some that show no improvement when taking saw palmetto. These discrepancies make it necessary for more research to confirm its benefits.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s best to seek the advice of your medical provider for an assessment and treatment plan.
Who should not take saw palmetto?
Because saw palmetto may alter hormone levels, it may not be safe for pregnant or nursed people to take.
Most people who took saw palmetto during studies had no side effects. The few who did experience side effects had diarrhea or headache.
Not much is known about saw palmetto’s interaction with medications or other health conditions. Because of this, it is always important to discuss taking saw palmetto with your doctor.
How to pick the right saw palmetto for your health needs
When searching for your saw palmetto supplement, it’s important to know what to look for. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Ingredients
Look for supplements that contain pure, non-GMO saw palmetto, free of unnecessary additives and fillers. If you have certain dietary restrictions, such as being vegan or having an intolerance to certain foods like soy, dairy, or gluten, be sure to check if the supplement is friendly for your needs.
Third-party testing
The FDA does not pre-approve supplements for the safety, effectiveness, or validity of their health claims. Because of this, it’s a good idea to choose a supplement made by a company that values the quality of its products and opts to have them tested by a third party.
Dosage
Clinical trials that evaluated the effectiveness of saw palmetto gave doses between 100-400 mg of saw palmetto once or twice daily. Taking a saw palmetto supplement that falls near this range may be a good idea.
What the research says: the science behind saw palmetto
Here is a highlight of several recent studies involving saw palmetto.
Hair Health
Saw palmetto may help with modest hair regrowth for people with conditions such as Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), female pattern hair loss (FPHL), or telogen effluvium (TE).
One systematic review in 2020 reported that people who took oral or topical saw palmetto saw a 3.4 to 27% increase in hair count, increased hair density in up to 83.3% of patients, 60% improvement in hair quality, and stabilized disease progression for 52% of participants.
BPH
A comprehensive review of research on the benefits of saw palmetto for BPH came to the conclusion that saw palmetto taken alone for aiding BPH symptoms offers minimal advantages.
Taking saw palmetto with other plants or herbs to treat BPH also offers little certainty and requires further investigation.
Urinary tract
A 2022 study on Japanese women found that saw palmetto extract may help decrease the symptoms of daytime and nighttime urination frequency.
Best saw palmetto supplement: conclusion
Saw palmetto is derived from the berries of the Serenoa repens dwarf tree found in the Southeastern United States. Historically, the extract was used to treat urinary and reproductive problems.
In recent years, studies have shown it may help with several types of hair loss, and urinary tract health.
To help you find the right saw palmetto supplement for you, we did the research and compiled our favorite saw palmetto supplements that use clean ingredients and come from reputable sources.
Discover more supplements for your prostate, overall health, and libido
Discover several supplements that can support your workout routine, here are our picks of the best supplements for muscle growth!
Best energy supplements share products that may help with overall wellness, ranging from cognitive health to fatigue support.
Check out our picks of the best ashwagandha supplement to may help improve quality of life!
The best kidney and bladder health supplements might support optimal urinary tract function.
FAQ
What is the best saw palmetto supplement?
Several saw palmettos supplements may offer benefits for your urinary tract and hair health. The best saw palmetto brands may offer a non-GMO saw palmetto source that is free of sugars and additives.
What is the most effective form of saw palmetto?
Saw palmetto has been proposed to be effective when administered orally and topically. Studies that used topical saw palmetto were measuring its effectiveness on hair loss, whereas studies evaluating its benefits for prostate health typically used oral supplements.
What brand of saw palmetto is best for hair loss?
Several products are the best saw palmetto supplements for hair loss. Some clinical studies had their participants use topical saw palmetto serums, while others used oral capsules. Both may have benefits for hair loss.
Can saw palmetto reduce prostate size?
Currently, there is not enough evidence to show that saw palmetto reduces the size of the prostate or helps with symptoms related to an enlarged prostate. If you are having symptoms of an enlarged prostate it is recommended to seek the advice of your medical provider.
9 resources
- Skin Appendage Disorders. Natural Hair Supplement: Friend or Foe? Saw Palmetto, a Systematic Review in Alopecia.
- Skin Appendage Disorders. Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Alopecia: A Comprehensive Review.
- BMC Urology. A double blind, placebo-controlled randomized comparative study on the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched and conventional saw palmetto oil in mitigating benign prostate hyperplasia and androgen deficiency.
- Urology. Efficacy and Safety of Serenoa repens Extract Among Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in China: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.
- Investigative and Clinical Urology. Serenoa repens for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Nutrients. Beneficial Effects of Saw Palmetto Fruit Extract on Urinary Symptoms in Japanese Female Subjects by a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
- International Journal of Current Research and Review. A review on phytomedicine and their mechanism of action on pcos.
- Phytomedicine Plus. Influence of Saw palmetto and Pygeum africana extracts on the urinary concentrations of endogenous anabolic steroids: Relevance to doping analysis.
- Cochrane Library Serenoa repens for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement.
Your email will not be published. All fields are required.