Acne is a
common skin condition that affects both men and women. It occurs when the skin
pores become clogged with sebum from inside the skin. The initial cause of this
clogging is due to the over production of sebum in the oil glands. The symptoms
of this skin condition can vary from inflamed growth, blackheads, and white
heads. Most of the treatments usually involve application of skin ointments
directly to the skin. These ointments are usually manufactured chemically, and
some of them react severely with our skins. Saw palmetto is a natural herb that
is consumed orally to give the perfect remedy for this skin condition, which
has now proved to being a menace.
What is saw palmetto?
Saw Palmetto
is an herb, which decreases the amount of testosterone in the body. It is also
capable of reducing the chances of testosterone becoming dihydrotestosterone. This
herb is derived from the berries of the saw palm tree. This tree looks like a
fern and is native to Florida, which is the only place where it can grow. Saw palmetto
is better known for its ability to treat the severity of acne in both men and
women. According to research, the primary ingredient of this herb includes
plant sterols, flavonoids, and fatty acids. It also contains a high
concentration of polysaccharides, which are used to enhance the immune system
of the body and prevent inflammations.
How it works
Several studies
done in the past have proved that oral consumption of saw palmetto for acne treatmentmay help reduce the seriousness of hormone driven acne in women and men. Apart from
treating acne, this herb is also capable of treating a number of other ailments
like hormonal imbalance, which is one of the causes of acne. Research has shown
that the moment testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone this shift in
hormone is the one responsible for the occurrence of acne. The conversion can
also have other effects like baldness and enlargement of the prostate in men. Therefore,
when saw palmetto reduces the chances of testosterone becoming
dihydrotestosterone it prevents the occurrence of all the above conditions
including acne.
Dosage
The scientific
community is yet to release the official dosage for saw palmetto. However,
reports from the University of Maryland Medical Center states that taking 160
milligrams two times daily might be effective for the treatment of testosterone
formation and BPH. You should also ensure that the saw palmetto you are buying
contains between 85% to 95% fatty acids and plant sterols for the best results.
Since the drugs affect the hormonal balance, it is best you go for consultation
from you doctor so that he can advise you the best way to take the dosage.
Side effects
Saw palmetto,
like other drugs has its own side effects. After sometime after taking the
drugs, you may experience mild irritation in the stomach and have several
headaches. Pregnant women are advised against the drug while people who are set
to undergo elective surgery are advised to discontinue their treatments weeks
before surgery.