What Is Saw Palmetto Good for?

Saw Palmetto, although a member of the palm family of plants, is considered an herb and has been used widely for hundreds of years as a medicinal plant. Today, its main benefits are used for men's health, especially prostate problems.

Characteristics

• Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is also known as the Dwarf palmetto, Sabal, the Pan palm, Cabbage palm and Palmetto Scrub. It is a type of fan palm with saw-toothed fronds fanning out from stems with thorns. It can grow up to 10 feet high and, from October to December, produces bunches of deep purple to black berries. Saw Palmetto is found along the southern Atlantic coast of the United States and the West Indies. The plant contains flavenoids, plant sterols and fatty acids. The berries contain certain sugars, or polysaccharides, that have been known to reduce inflammation.

History

• From the Mayan Indians to early Native Americans, Saw Palmetto berries have been used to treat urinary tract infections (especially in men) and as a libido booster. Native Americans also used the plant as an antiseptic and expectorant. From 1906 to 1917, Saw Palmetto was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia, and from 1926 to 1950, it was listed in the National Formulary.

Prostate Health

• Saw Palmetto has been used widely in Europe as a beneficial aid in reducing the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, which is essentially the enlargement of the prostate. It is said to reduce symptoms of nighttime urination, frequency of urination and overall well-being. Scientists think that the plant contains certain chemicals that affect testosterone levels and may reduce the amount of a certain enzyme that is said to increase prostate cell growth.

Other Potential Uses

• In addition to being beneficial to prostate health, Saw Palmetto has also been used to treat male hair loss, bladder inflammation, imbalances in hormones and decreases in libido. It aides in immune support, sore throats, migraines, high blood pressure and asthma. Saw Palmetto has also been beneficial for treating upper respiratory infections, bronchitis and whooping cough.

Warnings

• Side effects that are associated with the use of Saw Palmetto may include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain or vomiting. Pregnant women should not take Saw Palmetto, as well as those who are undergoing surgery, as there may be an increased risk of bleeding. Consult your doctor before taking Saw Palmetto, as it may react with other medications.