Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a palm plant native to the southeastern United States whose berry extract contains fatty acids and phytosterols that may inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary androgen responsible for androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). While saw palmetto is sometimes promoted as a natural alternative to finasteride, clinical evidence is mixed, with some studies showing modest improvements in hair count and density. It has a favorable safety profile compared to pharmaceutical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.