How to Use Saw Palmetto to Treat Hormone Imbalances

Native to North America, saw palmetto is a palm plant that has been used for thousands of years to soothe and treat various medical maladies. Recent evidence suggests it has significant effects on your body's natural hormone production, and alternative medicine specialists often encourage patients to use it as a natural alternative for treating hormone imbalances.

Instructions

1

Approach your doctor or an alternative medicine expert for an explanation of how saw palmetto can be used to treat hormone imbalances. Basically, saw palmetto is believed to affect your body's production of both testosterone and estrogen. If you have incorrect proportions of either hormone, saw palmetto might balance the two.

2

Get your doctor to perform tests to determine the level of your hormone imbalances. This will, in turn, determine what your daily dosage of saw palmetto should be. Daily dosages usually fall between 160 mg. and 320 mg.

3

Ask for the help of a store clerk if you aren't sure how to read the labels of the different brands of saw palmetto that are commercially available. The amount of active ingredients differs from brand to brand.

4

Use saw palmetto daily, as directed by your doctor or alternative health expert, to treat hormone imbalances. Remember the common side effects associated with saw palmetto, such as stomach discomfort, bowel movement disorders, nausea and halitosis. Many users do not experience any of these side effects. Any side effects usually abate within a few days.

5

Have your hormone levels monitored by your doctor after you commence your saw palmetto treatment regimen. Continue or discontinue use as directed by your doctor. Note the extremely rare but potentially serious side effects which may be linked to saw palmetto usage. These include heartbeat irregularities, pancreatitis, liver inflammation, arrhythmia, hypertension and chest pain.