More than half of the male population suffers from alopecia, commonly known as baldness. However, it is possible to stop hair loss using the extract of this plant, known for its anti-androgenic properties.
The wild palm or saw palmetto (Serenoa), a plant native to northern Mexico and the southeastern US, is capable of inhibiting the activity of male sex hormones, one of the main reasons for hair loss in men.
A team of researchers from the University of California analyzed the results of seven studies dedicated to the influence of the plant on patients with alopecia.
Participants included both types of patients suffering from so-called androgenetic alopecia – caused by excessive activity of male hormones – and those with so-called telogen effluvium, or temporary hair loss due to stress, hunger or a traumatic event, among other causes.
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After analyzing data from the studies conducted in 2020, the researchers concluded that around 60% of the patients who took the extract of the wild palm extract showed a marked improvement in the quality of their hair. There was also a 27% improvement in the amount of hair, while 83.3% of the patients stated that the plant had increased its capillary density.
Although the California researchers admit that more studies and “high-quality data” are still needed, they agreed that wild palmetto could be a “possible treatment for androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and self-reported hair loss.”
It should be noted that the plant, which supposedly prevents testosterone from being converted into dihydrotestosterone, is also used in the treatment of other male diseases, such as erectile dysfunction or prostate diseases. Among the side effects of the saw palmetto include nausea, headaches or digestive tract problems. It can also decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills and anticoagulants.