Biological Name: Sabal Serrulata, Serenoa repens

Other Names: dwarf palmetto, Sabal, Pan palm, Saw Palmetto

Elements Applied: Berries are commonly applied in herbal medicine.

Active Components: Saw palmetto’s lipophilic extract is rich in fatty acids, like palmitic, lauric, and caproic, as well as sterols, which both are responsible for decreasing the quantity of dihydrotestosterone in prostate gland. Saw Palmetto fatty acids are also capable of blocking inflammatory agents which trigger BPH.

Other components of Saw Palmetto include:

• Sterols;
• Fixed oil, which includes 25% fatty acids, palmitic, lauric, and caproic, as well as 75% of neutral fats.
• Essential oil
• Polysaccharides; uronic acid, arabinose, and galactose.

History: In the XX century tea made of saw palmetto berries was usually prescribed to relieve prostate enlargement. People dubbed it ‘plant catheter’ due to its stimulating effect on the bladder neck and the prostate gland. Additionally, the plant was applied to cure recurrent urinary infections. According to some reports, saw palmetto was also capable of increasing sexual libido and ejaculation in men. Moreover, the plant was also used as a remedy for breast enhancement in women. Saw Palmetto was usually recommended for frequent urination, especially at night, which is associated with enlarged prostate and bladder inflammations.

Used For: The herb is known to induce urination, neutralize microorganisms, and act as an endocrine element.

Saw Palmetto is characterized as a plant which is able to stimulate and stabilize reproductive organs in males. It can be reliably applied in case there is a necessity in increased male sex hormone production. The herb is particularly beneficial for the case of prostate enlargement. It is also applied in genital and urinary infections.

The range of conditions in which the herb is applied includes thyroid deficiency (makes recovery faster), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is also thought to induce urination, stimulate the reproductive system, stabilize heart functionality, calm the nervous system, and fight bacterial infections.

The reason of BPH is commonly referred to as excessive testosterone accumulation in prostate gland. Consequently, testosterone transfers to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a substance, which in its turn triggers excessive cell production that results in enlarged prostate. Saw Palmetto doesn’t let testosterone transfer to DHT. It also acts on DHT, preventing its attachment to cell receptor areas, and thus releasing it from the body.

According to a range of researches and tests, Saw Palmetto herb is an efficient remedy for BPH. It was even discovered to produce better effects than Proscar. In comparison to Proscar, which needs a year to be successful, Saw Palmetto managed to make the condition better in a shorter interval. The majority of sufferers stated there is an improvement in their health only in a month after first application of Saw Palmetto medicine. However, Saw Palmetto showed no visible action on serum prostatic antigen quantity.

The herb can additionally be applied for various types of throat conditions, severe and acute coughs, accompanied by irritated throat, influenza, bronchitis, colds, and asthma. It is particularly beneficial in case of excessive mucous excretions from nose and sinuses.

Moreover, the plant can be used in any condition associated with reproductive disorders, testes, prostate, ovaries and so on. It can also be used for diabetes and Bright’s disease.

Commonly mixed with: To relieve reproductive system deficiency the herb is mixed with Kola and Damiana. To relieve prostate enlargement the herb can be combined with Hydrangea and Horsetail.

Additional Info: Saw Palmetto, commonly called Sabal in European countries, is indigenous to North America. The plant is represented by a dwarf palm tree which can be met across Atlantic Coast and West Indies in the USA. Its stem can reach from 6 to 10 feet in height, and features a crown of tooted leaves of large size at its top. The fruiting period lasts from mid autumn to early winter, when green to black berries appear in bunches. The berries are oblong in form and have half an inch in diameter.

Preparation and Intake: For primary stages of BPH, the commonly prescribed dose is around 320 mg a day of powdered saw palmetto in tablets or capsules. The remedy has a high content of esters, sterols, and fatty acids. For the remedy to take force on the condition you should wait up to six weeks. If you’ve noticed any positive changes, continue taking the above mentioned dose.

Dried fruit, made to powder, can also be drunk as tea. As tea is less marked in effects, the common dose is 5-6 grams a day.

Fluid extracts, which are commonly represented by any part of the plant, are used at a dose of 5-6 ml a day.

To prepare a decoction, take a half to one teaspoon of dried fruit for 250 ml of water, boil it up and leave on low heat for five minutes. The result is taken thrice per day.

Safety: According to scientific researches, there are no adverse effects registered for saw palmetto. The herb won’t take effect on the levels of prostate-specific antigen, which is responsible for prostate cancer. To treat BPH, consult with your health-care provider. Don’t rely on self-treatment.