Saw palmetto ( Serenoa repens) is a type of palm native to the southeastern United States. Traditionally, Native American tribes used the berries of the saw palmetto plant as both food and medicine. Here's a breakdown of some traditional uses:

Traditional Uses of Saw Palmetto Tincture

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Saw palmetto has been most widely used to treat urinary problems associated with an enlarged prostate.

   

• Improved Urinary Function: Saw palmetto was taken to reduce nighttime urination and improve urine flow.
  • Hair Loss: Some traditional applications include the use of saw palmetto to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
• Sexual Health: There were beliefs it could increase male libido and fertility.
• Respiratory Support: It was used to address coughs and colds.

Important Considerations

• Modern research on saw palmetto effectiveness is mixed. Some studies show potential benefits for BPH, while others show little effectiveness.
• It's essential to talk to your doctor before using saw palmetto, especially if you take other medications. It may interact with certain medications and cause side effects.
• Saw palmetto is not a cure-all and should not replace standard medical treatments for any health conditions you may have.

Source : http://www.wikiphyto.org/wiki/Saw 

Reference on http://www.wikiphyto.org

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plant name

Saw palmetto , sabal , saw palmetto , saw palmetto (English)

International Latin denomination

Serenoa repens (W.B. Bartram) Small = Sabal serrulata (Michx.) T. Nutt. ex Schultes et Schultes

botanical family

Arecaceae (= Palmae)

Description and habitat

• A small, fan-leaved palm growing naturally in the sandy soils of the southeastern United States, it covers 10% of Florida's land area.
• Fairly short single-stemmed stem (0.5 to 2 m), fan-shaped bluish-green leaves deeply split
• Petiole furnished on the edges with small sharp needles, with small flowers grouped in spadix
• The fruit is globose (2 to 3 x 1.5 cm) bluish to black when ripe, it was used as food in pre-Columbian times

History and tradition

• Florida exports 6,800 tons of fruit to Europe every year to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry
• The fruit is not part of the French or European Pharmacopoeia, and must therefore satisfy a classic MA and not reduced like other phyto-medicines

Parts used

• Fruit

Dosage forms available

• Commercial lipido-sterol extract (hexane extract)
• Fruit tincture

Usual dosages

• 320 mg of lipid-sterol extract per os per day

Composition

Main components of the plant

• Oil rich in triacyglycerols  : fatty acids such as lauric acid
• Alcanes, alcanols (hexacosanol, octacosanol, triacontanol), alcènes
• Phytosterols  : sitosterol , campesterol , cycloartenol
• Anthranilic acid

Main components of buds or young shoots

Main components of essential oil

Properties

Plant properties

• Peripheral anti-androgen effect
• Decreased post-voiding residue
• Interaction with the metabolism and mode of action of testosterone at the prostate level, inhibition of testosterone-5-alpha-reductase [1] , inhibits 5alpha-reductase and reduces the growth of human prostate cancer cells in vitro [2 ] , without interfering with the ability of prostate cells to secrete PSA, therefore allows its measurement for the prevention of prostate cancer [3] and inhibition of 3-alpha-ketosteroid reductase
• Decreased binding between dihydrotestosterone and its cytosolic receptors (role of dihydrotestosterone in prostatic hypertrophy) but not with alcoholic extracts
• Inhibition of methyltrienolone binding to cytosolic dihydrotestosterone receptors (by hexane extracts)
• Inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase (anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous action)

Bud properties

Properties of essential oil

Indications

Indications of the whole plant (phytotherapy)

• Nocturnal pollakiuria, dysuria, perineal and genital pain
• Benign prostatic hypertrophy (benign hyperplasia) [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8]
• prostate adenoma
• Androgenetic alopecia [9]

Indications of the bud (gemmotherapy)

Specific indications of essential oil (aromatherapy)

Known or suspected mode of action

Usual formulations

Regulations

• French Pharmacopoeia list A (fruit)

Possible side effects and precautions for use

Bibliographic references

1. Go↑ Habib FK, Ross M, Ho CK, Lyons V, Chapman K. Serenoa repens (Permixon) inhibits the 5alpha-reductase activity of human prostate cancer cell lines without interfering with PSA expression. Int J Cancer. 2005 Mar 20;114(2):190-4. PMID 15543614
2. Go↑ Anderson ML. A preliminary investigation of the enzymatic inhibition of 5alpha-reduction and growth of prostatic carcinoma cell line LNCap-FGC by natural astaxanthin and Saw Palmetto lipid extract in vitro. J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(1):17-26. PMID 16093232
3. Go↑ Bayne CW, Donnelly F, Ross M, Habib FK. Serenoa repens (Permixon): a 5alpha-reductase types I and II inhibitor-new evidence in a coculture model of BPH. Prostate. 1999 Sep 1;40(4):232-41. PMID 10420151
4. Go↑ Lowe FC, Dreikorn K, Borkowski A, Braeckman J, Denis L, Ferrari P, Gerber G, Levin R, Perrin P, Senge T. Review of recent placebo-controlled trials utilizing phytotherapeutic agents for treatment of BPH. Prostate. 1998 Nov 1;37(3):187-93. PMID 9792136
5. Go↑ Lowe FC, Dreikorn K, Borkowski A, Braeckman J, Denis L, Ferrari P, Gerber G, Levin R, Perrin P, Senge T. The role of phytotherapy in treating lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia. World J Urol. 2002 Apr;19(6):426-35. PMID 12022711
6. Go↑ Lowe F, Fagelman E. Phytotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: an update. Urology. 1999 Apr;53(4):671-8. PMID 10197839
7. Go↑ Lowe FC1, Ku JC. Phytotherapy in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a critical review. Urology. 1996 Jul;48(1):12-20. PMID 8693632
8. Go↑ Dreikorn K. The role of phytotherapy in treating lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia. World J Urol. 2002 Apr;19(6):426-35. PMID 12022711
9. Go↑ Murugusundram S. Serenoa Repens: Does It have Any Role in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia? J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jan;2(1):31-2. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.53097. PMID 20300369

• Plosker GL, Brogden RN. Serenoa repens (Permixon). A review of its pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Drugs Aging. 1996 Nov;9(5):379-95. PMID 8922564
• Franklin C. Lowe And Elliot Fagelman. Phytotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: an update. Urology, 53: 671– 678,1999
• G Champault, J C Patel, A M Bonnard. A double-blind trial of an extract of the plant Serenoa repens in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1984 September; 18(3): 461–462. PMCID: PMC1463641 [1]
• Di Silverio F, D'Eramo G, Lubrano C, Flammia GP, Sciarra A, Palma E, Caponera M, Sciarra F. Evidence that Serenoa repens extract displays an antiestrogenic activity in prostatic tissue of benign prostatic hypertrophy patients. Eur Urol. 1992;21(4):309-14. PMID 1281103
• Grasso M, Montesano A, Buonaguidi A, Castelli M, Lania C, Rigatti P, Rocco F, Cesana BM, Borghi C. Comparative effects of alfuzosin versus Serenoa repens in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Arch Esp Urol. 1995 Jan-Feb;48(1):97-103. PMID 7537488
• Wilt T, Ishani A, Mac Donald R. Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(3):CD001423. PMID 12137626
• Bonnar-Pizzorno RM, Littman AJ, Kestin M, White E. Saw palmetto supplement use and prostate cancer risk. Nutr Cancer. 2006;55(1):21-7. PMID 16965237
• Rossi A, Mari E, Scarno M, Garelli V, Maxia C, Scali E, Iorio A, Carlesimo M. Comparitive effectiveness of finasteride vs Serenoa repens in male androgenetic alopecia: a two-year study. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2012 Oct-Dec; 25 (4): 1167-73. PMID 23298508
• Tacklind J, Macdonald R, Rutks I, Stanke JU, Wilt TJ. Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Dec 12;12:CD001423. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001423.pub3. PMID 23235581
• Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):143-52. PMID 12006122
• Buck AC. Is there a scientific basis for the therapeutic effects of serenoa repens in benign prostatic hyperplasia? Mechanisms of action. J Urol. 2004 Nov;172(5 Pt 1):1792-9. PMID 15540722

Store in a cool, dry place, away from light. Keep tightly closed, away from the reach of Children and pets.

Do not exceed the daily dose.

This product is not intended to prevent or cure any form of illness or disease.
 

If you are pregnant or nursing ; If you have a medical condition or are in the course of medical treatment ; If you are programmed for theater/operation in the near future, please consult your healthcare practitioner before using this product.

This product cannot replace a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

This product has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use.