Saw Palmetto Berries, Whole

Also Known As – Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata, Palmetto scrub, Cabbage palm

Overview – Saw palmetto is a small palm that grows in clumps or thickets along the coast. The leaves are fan shaped with fine spines. It has yellowish-white flowers in large clusters.

Medicinal Uses – It has been said that Saw palmetto is used to treat urinary symptoms that are related to an enlarged prostate gland, otherwise known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. It is also used for bladder problems, chronic pelvic pain, decreased sex drive, hormone imbalance and hair loss.

• It has been traditionally used for acne, asthma, bronchitis, breastfeeding, inflammation of the bladder, breast enlargement or reduction, cough, cystitis, diarrhea, diabetes, as a digestive aid, a diuretic, and dysentery. Other ailments that have been treated with saw palmetto include Epstein-Barr virus, excess hair growth, high blood pressure, to stimulate the immune system, as an expectorant, to treat impotence, laryngitis and migraine headache.
• Some people also use saw palmetto for menstrual pain, muscle and intestinal spasms, ovarian cysts, uterine or vaginal problems, postnasal drip, sedation, sore throat and upper respiratory infection.

• Saw palmetto tincture may work as hair loss remedy because they keep testosterone levels balanced. As men age, the testosterone hormone is diminished and the hormone called 5α-Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increases. The cause of hair loss is due to the hair follicles’ sensitivity to DHT, which is a male androgen hormone that causes follicles to shrink, resulting in a shorter life span and decrease of hair production.

  Normally after hairs fall out, another hair starts to grow from this same follicle — but if DHT is high, hair growth decreases. Saw palmetto has the power to stop the conversion of testosterone into DHT, making it beneficial for hair growth.

  Although the options about saw palmetto as an effective hair growth agent are mixed, there are studies that indicate its use as beneficial. One study conducted at the Clinical Research and Development Network in Colorado tested 34 men and 28 women, aged 18-48 years, who topically applied saw palmetto extract in lotion and shampoo base for three months; the results found that 35 percent of the participants had an increase in hair density.

Parts Used – The fruit is used in many forms as a medicinal herbal remedy.

Cautions – Side effects from taking the herb may include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, halitosis, constipation and diarrhea. A small number reported ulcers, jaundice or liver damage, but it is not clear whether it was this herb that was directly responsible. As always, use with caution.

• If you have health problems that involve the digestive tract, the liver, heart or lungs, use caution when using this herb. Also exercise caution if you take blood thinning medications, are having surgery or dental work or if you have bleeding disorders. Some men report problems with erections, breast tenderness, testicular sensitivities and a change in sexual desire.
• If you take hormonal medications, do not use. Theoretically, prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels may be lowered by this herb, which may delay a prostate cancer diagnosis. Because of hormonal reactions, this herb is not recommended to women who are pregnant or nursing.
• Saw palmetto may interact with estrogen and prevent proper iron absorption. It may also interact with anticoagulants, anti-platelet drugs and anti-inflammatory medications. This herb should not be taken with medications that affect the levels of male hormones. It may also interfere with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

Disclaimer – The information presented herein by Mountain Maus’ Remedies is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.