Saw Palmetto Berry

Also known as

Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata

Introduction 

A miniature palm growing 2 to 4 feet (60 to 130 cm) high, the saw palmetto occupies sandy flatlands of the US from South Carolina to South Texas. Once the preferred treatment for prostate disease in American medicine, saw palmetto fell into disfavor in the 1960's until French researchers isolated specific compounds with statistically demonstrable effects on the prostate. The whole berries, however, continue to be used with success in herbal medicine.

Constituents 

Beta-sitosterol, capric acid, ferulic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid.

Parts Used 

Berries, dried and cut or powdered.

Typical Preparations 

Teas, tinctures, encapsulations.

Summary 

Saw palmetto extracts help heal benign prostate enlargement and prostatitis by stopping the converstion of 5-dehydrotestosterone into testosterone, but the whole berries have a gentler effect on the hormone producing effects which help preserve male potency, while offering a wider range of effects to treat the conditions. In cases of prostate infection, the berries gently stimulate urination, causing the infectious microorganisms to be "flushed out" with urine.

Precautions: There are no published adverse effects.