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ETYMOLOGY
The name “serenoa” is derived from Sereno Watson (1826-92), an eminent Harvard botanist who described several plants during his scientific expeditions throughout North America.
BOTANICAL INFORMATION
Family: Palmaceae
Description: A small evergreen palm that can reach a height of 3-4m. Accordingly, the leaves are palmate, with no continuous rib, is divided into oblong leaflets, are lanceolate, up to 2.5 dm long, petiolate with thin teeth. The flowering heads are multi-branched, appear less than one meter below the leaves, and have white flowers.
Habitat: Saw palmetto is native to the coastal plains from South Carolina to Louisiana of the southeastern United States. It grows in a wide range of habitats from sand dunes in a desert climate to dry forests.
Cultivation: Prefers direct sunlight but can tolerate partial sun. It is a very tolerant plant, but is rather sensitive to cold weather. Tolerant of drought but also flourishes in moist soil.
Method of Harvest:
The berries are harvested in the autumn after reaching appropriate maturity and are dried after the removal of their seeds.
Parts Utilized:
The mature berries .
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: The sterol/lipid fraction of the plant contains the main active ingredients (steroidal saponins).
MODE OF ACTION
Actions: Saw palmetto has decongestant activity on prostate tissue.
Precautions: In rare cases there may be mild gastric irritation which disappears as soon as treatment is discontinued.
COMMON INDICATIONS
As a medicinal herb: Currently used for prostate conditions.
Traditional use:
Used as a diuretic, tonic, and for other disorders such as an irritated urinary bladder.
PREPARATION AND USE
Internal Use:The average daily suggested dose is 1-2 g of the titrated extractives of the plant’s lipids and sterols.
HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Saw Palmetto berries were used as a tonic in cases of diseases and debilitating fatigue throughout history. They were also used for disorders of the respiratory system because of its alleged effects on the mucous membranes. Another historical use consistent with modern use is for both an irritated bladder and conversely for an excessively relaxed or atonic bladder.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Reference
“Evidence-based systematic review of saw palmetto by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.” J Soc Integr Oncol. 2006 Fall;4(4):170-86
“Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(3):CD001423 (Updated in 2009)
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