Saw Palmetto Herbal Information

NAME
Saw Palmetto


LATIN NAME
Serenoa repens

ALSO KNOWN AS
Pan palm, dwarf palmetto, Saw Palmetto, Sabal

ORIGIN
North America

PARTS USED
Fruit, berries.


TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Known as "the old man's best friend" Saw Palmetto is gaining a reputation as a treatment for prostate enlargement. It boosts male sex hormones and tones the male reproductive system. It strengthens sexual appetite and restores sexual balance after excesses.

Its traditional use by the Native American's was as an Aphrodisiac, Breast enhancer and as treatment for the enlarged prostrate.

Saw Palmetto contains a fatty acid called sitosterols which counteract prostrate enlargement. After 40 yrs of age the testosterone levels in men decreases and the hormone prolactin increases, this causes an over growth of the prostrate tissue. It is an enzyme that converts the testosterone and saw Palmetto interferes with this thus preventing prostrate enlargement and relieving the symptoms, such as urinary discomfort. It is thought to be as effective as conventional prostrate treatment, whilst tonifying the male reproductive organs and boosting the sexual appetite.



FOLKLORE AND HISTORY
Earlier this century, saw palmetto berry tea was commonly recommended for benign enlargement of the prostate. It was called the "plant catheter" because of its tonic effect on the neck of the bladder and the prostate. It was also used to treat chronic urinary tract infections. Some believed that the berry increased sperm production and sex drive in men. It was used as an aphrodisiac; women used it to enlarge breasts. Saw Palmetto was most commonly prescribed for frequency of urination and excessive night urination due to inflammation of the bladder and prostate enlargement.


CONSTITUENTS
Saw Palmetto provides sterols, and the fatty acid caproic, lauric, and palmitic & 75% neutral fats, Essential oil, sterols, polysaccharides, galactose, arabinose, and uronic acid.


TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE

Saw Palmetto Herbal Tincture-
Extraction Ratio 1:3
Alcohol Vol. 45%
Take 1-2ml up three times a day

Saw palmetto Herbal Powder-
1/3 - 2/3 grams up to 3 times a day
or as directed by a herbalist.


PRECAUTIONS
Do not combine with anti-androgenic medication.