The Saw Palmetto Plant

And Its Many Health Benefits

Serenoa repens

The Saw Palmetto plant is also known as Sabal palm, Palmetto berry, American dwarf palm tree, and Cabbage palm.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

What is Saw Palmetto? It is a low-growing bushy palm that grows around 2 to 9 feet in height. It has fan shaped leaves that have thorny teeth along the stem.

Dense clusters of tiny, sweet smelling flowers grow on the plant that are followed by single-seeded, blue-black fruits.

The Saw Palmetto plant is native to the costal regions of the southern states of the United States, from South Carolina to Florida and west to Texas and southern California. Most of the plants are wild harvested.

Today, both in the United States and Europe,the Saw Palmetto herb is widely used by natural health practitioners for a variety of problems.

But the most widely known benefits of saw palmetto are based largely on its well-documented ability to help alleviate bladder and urinary tract problems in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common nonmalignant, age-related enlargement of the prostate gland.

TARGET AILMENTS

Take internally for:

* benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

* prostatitis

* cystitis (bladder and urinary tract problems)

* inflammation of the uretha

* gallbladder problems

* nasal congestion

* asthma

* bronchitis

* coughs due to colds

* sore throats

* sinus ailments

PREPARATIONS:

Over the counter:The Saw Palmetto plant is available as a tincture or extract, fresh or dried berries and in powder or capsule form.

At home:An Infusion or Decoction of saw palmetto can be made at home with fresh or dried berries.

Parts used: Berries

Collection: Berries are gathered from early Fall through until mid-winter.

Constituents: Volatile oil, steroids, dextrose, resins

Actions: Diuretic, urinary antiseptic, expectorant, tonic, sedative, digestive aid, anti-inflammatory

Combinations: Saw Palmetto will combine well with Damiana and Kola for debility associated with the reproductive system.

Saw Palmetto herb can be used with Horsetail and Hydrangea for the treatment of enlarged prostrate glands.

Saw Palmetto herb can be combined with Nettle Root extract for treatment of Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

Do not use saw palmetto if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

CAUTION:

Saw palmetto should only be used for BPH after proper diagnosis by a physician.

Caution is advised if Saw Palmetto herb is taken with Warfarin. Signs and symptoms or excessive bleeding should be monitored.

Bact To Herb Index From Saw Palmetto Plant