Exactly as listed on the label: Saw Palmetto Extract (Serenoa repens) — fruit — 200 mg.
What it is
Saw palmetto is a low, fan-leaf palm that grows in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Its dark berries have been gathered for more than a century, and today the extract is one of the best-known herbs in men's health. In Prostacyl it appears as a 200 mg fruit extract, which ties it with pygeum as the largest single amount on the label.
Why formulas include it
Saw palmetto berries are rich in fatty acids and plant sterols. Early lab work looked at how these compounds interact with hormone pathways linked to the prostate, which is why the herb became a staple in formulas for men over 40. It is included in Prostacyl as the anchor of the botanical group, alongside pygeum bark and pumpkin seed.
What the research says — honestly
Research on saw palmetto is mixed. Some older, smaller studies reported benefits. Larger and better-controlled trials, summarized by NIH's NCCIH and by a Cochrane review, did not find that saw palmetto improved urinary symptoms more than a placebo. That does not mean the herb has no value in a daily routine, but it does mean no one should expect a guaranteed result, and it tells us nothing direct about how the finished Prostacyl blend performs.
Safety notes
Saw palmetto is usually well tolerated. The most common complaints are mild stomach upset or headache. Because it may interact with hormone-related medicines and blood thinners, talk with your doctor before use if you take prescription medication.
Where it fits in Prostacyl
Saw Palmetto is one of nine ingredients in each two-capsule serving of Prostacyl. It works alongside pygeum africanum, grape seed extract, pumpkin seed extract, nettle leaf and the rest of the formula, rather than on its own. You can see how the groups connect on the ingredients overview.
Sources
- Saw Palmetto — Usefulness and SafetyNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia (Cochrane review, 2012)PubMed — review of randomized trials of saw palmetto
