How to Prepare Saw Palmetto Extract

The Saw Palmetto is a small palm tree native to parts of the USA and West Indies. As a Native American herbal medicine plant, it was used to treat impotence, prostate problems, libido function, menstrual cramps and breast tenderness in women. It also has other beneficial properties as an appetite stimulant and a decongestant. Making your own Saw Palmetto extract is a relatively straight forward process, and the fresher the herb to be used, the better: Although, you can use dried plant in the absence of fresh.

Things You'll Need

• Glass jar
• Cheesecloth
• Herb
• Alcohol
• Amber glass bottles

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Instructions

• 1

  Check that the jar you will be using to extract the herbs is clean and dry. A dark colored jar is preferable, but not necessary.

• 2

  Prepare fresh Saw Palmetto berries and leaf -- if you can get them -- by gently bruising the herb in a bowl with a pounder. Don't mash it. Use whole, dry berries and leaf, if fresh is not available. Begin by making a small volume of extract. You can make a larger amount later. Use at a ratio of 1 part dry herb to 5 parts alcohol, or 1 part fresh herb to 3 parts alcohol.

• 3

  Place the desired amount of Saw Palmetto in the glass jar and add vodka or other grain alcohol in the suggested ratio. Add more alcohol over the next few days, if you are using the dried herb, as it will expand and soak up the liquid. Ensure the whole herb is covered by the alcohol, in order for it all to be properly extracted.

• 4

  Cover the top of the jar with a plastic bag -- before capping it -- if you are using a metal top, to prevent rust from seeping into the extract. Screw the lid on the jar over the plastic.

• 5

  Shake the jar and store the formula in a dark, cool cupboard or closet.

  You do not need to refrigerate it.

• 6

  Remove the jar from the cupboard and shake a couple of times, every two or three days.

• 7

  Strain the herbs out of the alcohol after 6 or 7 weeks. Use a large strainer, covered with cheesecloth, over a clean bowl. Squeeze the herbs in the cheesecloth, to force out the extract.

• 8

  Using a funnel, empty your extract into clean, amber bottles -- preferably ones that come with droppers. Dispose of herbs left over from the extraction.

• 9

  Place the bottled extract in a cool, dark place. It will keep for up to 5 years.