Does saw palmetto work for hair loss?
It’s not proven. In a 2-year trial, 38% of men had more hair growth on saw palmetto and 68% on finasteride. But the trial missed one thing, so even that 38% may mean little.
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Does saw palmetto work for hair loss?
We don’t know yet. The US health institute that studies herbs (NCCIH) says the evidence is too limited to allow conclusions. Only a few small studies have tested it.
Saw palmetto comes from the berries of a small tree. It’s often sold as a natural alternative to finasteride. Both are thought to block the step that turns testosterone into DHT, the hormone that shrinks hair roots in male pattern hair loss.
So researchers put the two side by side. In one trial, 100 men with mild to moderate pattern loss took saw palmetto 320 mg or finasteride 1 mg every day for 2 years.
Source: Rossi 2012
Your next move: before you buy a tub, check that it’s pattern loss. Our hair loss blood test guide covers the other causes.
Why is the 38% weaker than it looks?
That missing thing is a dummy-pill group. Every man in the trial knew what he was taking, and nobody got a placebo.
Think of a race with only two runners. You know finasteride won. You don’t know if saw palmetto beat standing still.
That matters because pattern loss tends to move very slowly, over years to decades. Without a dummy pill, it’s hard to tell a small gain from a slow month.
A 2020 review found 5 fair-test trials (people put into groups by chance) of products containing saw palmetto. It says good quality data are lacking and bigger trials of saw palmetto alone are needed.
Some newer trials are run by the firms that sell it. So check who paid for any study a brand quotes.
Saw palmetto vs finasteride and minoxidil
The NHS calls finasteride and minoxidil the main treatments for male pattern baldness. Saw palmetto isn’t on that list, and the UK skin doctors’ leaflet doesn’t mention it.
| Option | What the evidence says | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Saw palmetto tablets or scalp lotion | Too little evidence to say if it works. | Few, small trials. Some tested mixes. |
| Minoxidil 5% liquid or foam | May slow hair loss and help hair grow. | Not on NHS prescription. Give it at least 6 months. |
| Finasteride 1 mg tablets | May slow hair loss and possibly help regrowth. | Can take up to 14 months. Women should not use it. |
None of these is a cure. The NHS says treatments only work for as long as they’re used.
Choosing saw palmetto to dodge finasteride’s side effects? That’s a fair worry, and the next section is for you. For the full picture, see hair loss treatment for men.
Is saw palmetto safe? Side effects to know
For most adults it seems mild. NCCIH says it’s well tolerated and has been used safely in research for up to 3 years.
| Who | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Most adults | Side effects are mild and not common: stomach upset, dizziness or headache. |
| Pregnant or breastfeeding | May be unsafe. |
| Children | Not well studied. One girl of 11 had hot flushes on a supplement containing it. |
| On any medicine | Ask a pharmacist or GP first. Some herbs and medicines clash. |
| Sexual or mood changes | Reported in a small set of cases. Tell your GP. |
Sources: NCCIH; Miroddi 2012; Firenzuoli 2026
Natural doesn’t mean free of risk. A 2026 report described people with lasting sexual and mood problems after saw palmetto, like those linked to finasteride. Some had also taken finasteride, and the cases came from a forum, so it can’t show how common this is.
For finasteride, the MHRA, which checks UK medicines, says to stop and seek medical advice if you feel depressed or have suicidal thoughts. If you have suicidal thoughts, get help now: call 111, or 999 in an emergency.
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber. Saw palmetto doesn’t appear to change PSA, a blood test for the prostate. More in does saw palmetto lower testosterone.
Should I try saw palmetto for my hair?
It’s your call, but go in knowing it’s a gamble. If you want the best odds, the proven treatments come first.
Before you try saw palmetto
- See a GP about the cause of your hair loss before you pay a hair clinic.
- Men: check it’s the usual male pattern, a receding hairline and thin top, with full sides and back.
- Avoid saw palmetto if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as it may be unsafe.
- Ask a pharmacist or GP first if you take any medicine.
- Tell your GP if you notice sexual or mood changes on it.
- Take a photo of your hairline and the top of your head in the same light each month.
Photos help because pattern loss is slow. Compare month 6 with month 1, not this week with last week.
Weighing other shop-bought options? See which hair loss products work and rosemary oil against minoxidil.
When to speak to a GP
A GP may be able to tell the cause by looking at your hair. Book an appointment if:
- You’re worried about your hair loss, or it’s affecting how you feel.
- You’re thinking of paying a hair clinic. See a GP about the cause first.
- Your loss doesn’t match the usual male pattern of a receding hairline and thin top with full sides and back.
- You notice sexual or mood changes on saw palmetto or finasteride.
Hair loss can also follow illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss or low iron. If it’s getting you down, your GP may be able to help you get counselling.