What’s the TL;DR?
Saw Palmetto is well known around the world as an anti-androgen, specifically for it’s use as a DHT blocker, although research debates its efficacy. As androgens are known to suppress breast growth, Saw Palmetto remains a popular option for NBE.
Saw Palmetto may also be useful in prolactin dominant and estrogen dominant situations, as it’s been shown to act against prolactin and estrogen.
Dosage and timing
Dosage: 320mg
Timing: Saw Palmetto can be used throughout the month without cycling.
Further details
Saw Palmetto is reported to work as an herbal 5aR blocker. As such, it’s commonly used by men for androgenic alopecia in products like shampoos and herbal remedies.
It was also reported to have been used in folk medicine to increase breast size: “Saw palmetto berries have traditionally been used by American Indians to […] increase breast size.“1 However, when I checked the sources of this claim, I could not find references to breasts.
Available studies
One comprehensive review on herbal anti-androgens reported dissatisfaction with Saw Palmetto (yet preferred Red Reishi as a better option): “its extract is believed to be a highly effective anti-androgen as it contains phytoesterols. This has been the subject of a great deal of research with regards to the treatment of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), androgenic alopecia, and PCOS. However, controlled trials and other convincing research on its efficacy are still lacking.“2
Another study has found Saw Palmetto to reduce prolactin levels by interfering with the pituitary.3
Saw Palmetto has been reported to reduce estrogen receptors in the prostate, however it is not clear if this is applicable elsewhere in the body, such as the breasts.4
Also in the prostate, Saw Palmetto has been found to suppress the action of IGF-1, which is important for breast growth.5
