saw palmetto

noun

1

: any of several shrubby palms chiefly of the southern U.S. and West Indies that have spiny-toothed petioles

especially : a common palm (Serenoa repens) of the southeastern U.S. with a usually creeping stem

2

: a preparation derived from the berrylike fruit of a saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) that is held to have a therapeutic effect on the prostate gland and is used in dietary supplements and herbal remedies

Examples of saw palmetto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The formula is packed with beneficial ingredients like ceramides for moisture retention and powerful extracts such as green tea and saw palmetto that help control oil and reduce shine. —Jessica Fields, Essence, 13 Aug. 2024

Additionally, green tea and the herb saw palmetto have been used for an enlarged prostate, though more research is needed. —Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 3 July 2024

They're made from natural ingredients like biotin, saw palmetto, and horsetail extract, which promote healthy hair growth, increase beard thickness, and reduce hair loss. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

While the evidence for significant regrowth is limited, certain ingredients have shown promise in scientific studies, including ketoconazole, saw palmetto, biotin, and minoxidil. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

saw palmetto

noun

saw pal·​met·​to -pal-ˈmet-(ˌ)ō 

1

: any of several shrubby palms chiefly of the southern United States and West Indies with spiny-toothed leafstalks

especially : a common palm (Serenoa repens) of the southeastern United States with a usually creeping stem

2

: a preparation derived from the berrylike fruit of a saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) that is held to have a therapeutic effect on the prostate gland and is used in herbal remedies and dietary supplements

called also sabal