Menopause 
The causes of hair loss are many, from nutritional deficiencies to genetics to stress. However, the symptom is especially prevalent for women passing through the menopausal transition as hair follicles are negatively affected by fluctuating hormones.
Continue reading to discover more about saw palmetto as a natural hair loss solution to keep your lovely locks where they should be.
What is Saw Palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a small palm tree that is native to the southeastern United States.
Extracts of the tree's fruit are used in supplements to alleviate a variety of health conditions, such as an enlarged prostate gland in men, migraines, low libido, chronic pelvic pain, and hair loss in women.
The majority of safety information is derived from use by men. Accordingly, extensive research is yet to be done on the use of saw palmetto in women.
Does Saw Palmetto Prevent Hair Loss?
When hair loss is due to androgenic influence, saw palmetto extract is acclaimed to prevent hair loss in women. It reduces the creation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone that binds to receptors in scalp follicles, shrinking them and causing subsequent hair loss. Saw palmetto also blocks the transport of DHT to these receptor sites, further reducing hair loss.
Popular Saw Palmetto Hair Loss Products
The most popular and effective way of consuming saw palmetto for its hair loss-stopping properties is as a supplement. The dosage for the standardized version of saw palmetto extract that contains 85 to 95% fatty acids and sterols is 320 mg daily.
However, additional saw palmetto hair loss products also include shampoos, conditioners, scalp oils, hair tonics, and more.
What are Other, Proven Natural Hair Loss Treatments?
While much is still to be discovered concerning the use of saw palmetto for hair loss in women, there are a variety of proven natural hair loss treatments on the market.
For starters, aloe vera gel is praised for combatting excessive hair loss due to its proteolytic enzymes that heal and repair damaged scalp cells. It also helps balance pH levels, moisturizes the scalp to get rid of dandruff, and stimulates dormant hair follicles, promoting regrowth.
Also, crushed garlic when mixed with carrier oils is acclaimed to kick start hair growth by promoting scalp circulation. Since it is a strong herb, it is recommended to apply as a patch test first.
Start experimenting today and check out further herbal supplements for hair loss that might be right for you.
Key Takeaways
Although traditionally used by men, the fruit from this small palm tree, saw palmetto, has proven its potential in stopping female hair loss. It reduces the formation of the testosterone derivative that shrinks hair follicles, eventually causing them to die and fall out. Although most effective as a supplement in extract form, saw palmetto for hair loss can also be found as a featured ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, scalp oils, and hair tonics. However, learn more about hair loss treatments that tackle the root cause of the problem, hormonal imbalance.
Sources
- American Hair Loss Association. (n.d.). Causes of Hair Loss. Retrieved September 18, 2018, from http://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/causes_of_hair_loss.asp
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2016). Saw Palmetto. Retrieved September 18, 2018, from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/palmetto/ataglance.htm
- Pizzorno, J.E. & Murray, M.T. (Eds.). (2013). Textbook of Natural Medicine, Fourth Edition. Missouri: Elsevier. Available from Google Books.
- Preedy, V.R. (Ed.). (2012). Handbook of Hair in Health and Disease. The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers. Available from Google Books.
