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Saw Palmetto is a small,
palm-like plant native to North America. Native Americans
and early American settlers used the berries to treat
problems associated with the genitals, urinary tract and reproductive
system. The herb saw palmetto is called the
"plant catheter" due to its
therapeutic effect on the neck of the bladder and the
prostate in men. Saw Palmetto is widely used in Germany,
Canada, the United Kingdom and now the U.S. for
nutritionally benefiting the prostate
and urinary tract. It has been marketed
as an "aphrodisiac" for both men and
women. The active constituents are volatile oil, steroidal saponin, tannins, and polysaccharides. Saw Palmetto is
a
tonic, and is one of the few herbal remedies that are
considered to be anabolic - it strengthens and builds
body tissues.
For men, saw palmetto treats an enlarged and weakened
prostate gland. Saw palmetto has shown significant action
in treatment of conditions associated with benign
prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Saw palmetto extract works
to prevent testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone, the hormone thought to cause
prostate cells to multiply, leading to an enlarged
prostate. Saw Palmetto is chiefly used as a diuretic and
to tone the bladder by improving urinary flow, and
relieving strain. Regular use of saw palmetto may
decrease urinary frequency, especially during the night,
by allowing complete bladder expulsion and reducing
inflammation of the bladder and enlarged prostate.
Saw palmetto inhibits androgen and estrogen receptor
activity and may be beneficial for both sexes in
balancing the hormones. Because of it
hormonal effects it can aid the thyroid in regulating
sexual development and normalizing activity of those
glands and organs.
Women have used the herb to stimulate breast
enlargement and lactation as well as treating ovarian
and uterine irritability. It has been
prescribed for reduced or absent sex drive,
impotence and frigidity. Because of its potential
hormonal effects, pregnant women should not use it.
The berries have been recommended in treatment of
diseases that deprive the body of strength and growth.
Preliminary evidence exists to also suggest saw palmetto
may also aid those suffering from thyroid deficiency. Saw
palmetto is a good expectorant for use in clearing chest
congestion and can be used to treat coughs, asthma, and bronchitis.
Saw Palmetto has also been used to stimulate appetite,
improve digestion, nourish the nervous system
and
increase the assimilation of nutrients to the body.
Two excellent review articles have recently been
published on the mechanism of action of saw palmetto. The
first, published in the new journal Phytomedicine
(Nieferprum, et. al.), explores the 5-a-reductase inhibiting properties of the free fatty acids in the saw
palmetto berry. This activity is not only critical to saw
palmetto's efficacy with BPH but may also open the door
for saw palmetto as a potential deterrent to prostate
cancer.
The second study (Koch & Biber) examines the role
that dihydrotestosterone, 5-a-reductase, estrogen, and
sexual-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) play in the
pathogenesis of BPH. This paper not only explores saw
palmetto extract's 5-a-reductase inhibiting and anti-edematous actions but also explores
the efficacy of
urtica (nettle) root in the BPH treatment. A translation
of this article appears in the Summer 1995 issue of the "Quarterly
Review of Natural Medicine".
It is clear that the next step in clinical research with
saw palmetto extract is a comparative study with finasteride (Proscarâ). In the meantime, healthcare
practitioners utilizing saw palmetto extract in their practices have excellent research documentation to
support their choice. - Donald Brown, N. D.
One of the more positive trends, the 1990’s will be
remembered for is the willingness of mainstream medicine
to examine the scientific legitimacy of natural therapies
versus their synthetic counterparts. With Saw Palmetto
cost being nearly 25-30% less than Proscar,
and proving to be more than twice as effective in half
the time it takes Proscar to reveal even modest results,
saw palmetto offers new hopes to million of sufferers
worldwide. With all the commotion being made about proper
prostate maintenance saw palmetto will enjoy continued
success, offering relief to more than 50% of the 45-60 year
old males.
Saw Palmetto is also known as:
Serenoa repens, Windmill palm, Sawtooth palm
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