Source:
Indigenous to coastal dunes of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas, Saw Palmetto also known as Sabal serrulata or Serenoa repens has been an important food source for the native Indians.

Traditional uses:
North American natives for hundreds of years have used the palmetto berries as a cure for various aliments including, impotence, atrophy of the testes, urinary tract inflammation of the prostate, decreased libido, infertility, dysmennorhea, and as an expectorant for mucous membranes.

Physiology:
Preventing Benign Hypertrophic Prostate (BPH) is important; the condition affects some 50-60% of al men at some point in their lives. Men over the age of 50 should have an annual prostate exam and a blood test to measure for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). The PSA antigen is a marker for prostate cancer. In BPH the prostate impedes the flow of urine, therefore, the bladder is unable to empty properly. This can lead to infections in both the bladder and the kidneys. Many men with even the early stages of BPH complain of frequent and sometime painful urination especially at night. Review the illustration below and you will note how the prostate wraps around the urethra as it transverses to the penis. When the prostate enlarges it can impede the flow of urine causing the complications mentioned previously. Saw palmetto inhibits the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The converted form of testosterone, DHT is thought to be one of the factors promoting BPH.

Clinical studies:
Recently, a number of clinical trials have confirmed the effectiveness of saw palmetto in treating BPH. A recent review of clinical data, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, concluded that Saw palmetto extract was as effective as the prescription medication Proscar in the treatment of BPH. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, et al. Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. JAMA 1998;280

Modern day uses:
Today, Saw palmetto is primarily prescribed for its recognized effects on the prostate gland. However the herb is also prescribed by physicians and herbal specialist for the following conditions:

• Testicular inflammation
• Irritable bladder
• Decreased Libido
• Urinary tract infections
• Respiratory congestion
• Thyroid disorders
• Digestion aide

Precautions and/or adverse effects:
Individuals with preexisting medical conditions should consult with their physician particularly if they are taking prescription or over-the-counter-medications or supplements. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding and children should also consult with there physician prior to taking any new supplements.

There are no special precautions associated with taking Saw palmetto, even in high doses. However, individuals taking testosterone or other anabolic steroids should inform their physician prior to taking the herb. There have been a few rare cases where individuals have had an allergic reaction. Symptoms included constricting of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling of the tongue, lip, or face. Individuals experiencing any of these symptoms should discontinue Saw palmetto and seek immediate medical attention.