Saw Palmetto or Serenoa repens is the only species to have been classified in the genus of Serenoa. It is also known as Sabal serrulatum, its alternative medicinal name. This small fan palm is endemic to southeastern United States, most commonly along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains and even in Arkansas. It usually reaches a height of around 2-4 m, with a sprawling trunk growing in dense thickets or as undergrowth in pine woods or hammocks. It grows at an extremely slow pace and has a long life. Some specimens are as old as 500- 700 years.
Saw Palmetto is widely referred to as Sabal, Sabal Fructus, Fructus Serenoae, Sagepalme and Sabal serrulatum. It is widely used in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH.
Benefits:
The benefits of Serenoa repens can be traced back to the olden days when its berries were used by the aborigines of Florida as staple food and it was considered to be an important healing herb by the Indians. It is also known for possessing aphrodisiac properties.
Saw Palmetto is widely recognized for providing relief of prostrate gland swelling and is mainly used in the treatment of conditions associated with BPH or non-alignment of the prostrate gland.
It is used in natural breast enlargement on a large scale and is also considered to be a natural Viagra. It is used as a remedy to cure impotence.
It is also used in the treatment of androgenic alopecia. It prevents or slows down the breakdown of testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone, thereby resulting in the prevention and cure of premature male pattern baldness.
The extract of the fruit of Serenoa repens is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols. This is widely used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
It can also cure a number of urinary and reproductive disorders.
In its crude form, Saw Palmetto can cure more than 200 various conditions such as asthenia (weakness), recovery from major illness, urological problems, acute catarrh, tubercular laryngitis, asthma, chronic bronchial coughs, cough of phthisis pulmonalis, whooping cough and laryngitis.
It can also be used as a sedative, expectorant and nutritive. It enhances the functioning of the digestive tract, improves appetite, digestion and assimilation.
It enlarges the waste organs such as breasts, ovaries and testicles and reduces hypertrophy of the prostrate.
It is also used in the treatment of herpes.
It is used in several homeopathic medicines to treat weight loss, urinary infections, mastitis and hormonal disorders.
Anabolic action: It helps strengthen and build body tissues, thereby promoting the development of muscle mass. It enhances weight gain and improves the process of recovery. It is helpful for bodybuilders and athletes.
Hormonal disorders: It is used in the treatment of impotence, reduced or absent sex drive, low libido, and testicular atrophy in men. It is used in various breast enlargement medicines given to women.
Urinary remedy: It is widely used as a diuretic to improve urine flow and as a urinary antiseptic in cystitis.
How Serenoa repens works:
Its operating mechanism in the treatment of BPH revolves around inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT, the primary agent responsible for the enlargement of the prostrate. The extract of the herb also restrains the binding of DHT to receptors, thereby hindering its action. It also has an inhibitory effect on the androgen and estrogen nuclear receptors which is accomplished without interfering with testosterone or follicle stimulating hormone levels.
Saw Palmetto is regarded as the ultimate natural prostrate remedy. Its prostrate formula can have a therapeutic effect on the neck of the bladder and prostrate in men. It helps in treating an enlarged or weakened prostrate gland.
Side Effects:
The side effects of Serenoa repens include nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure and dizziness.
Constituents:
It comprises of essential oil, fixed oil, sterols, and polysaccharides.
Dosage:
It depends on the purpose for which you are taking the medication. For early stage BPH, 320 mg per day in the form of capsules or tablets is recommended. It may take 6 – 4 weeks to see the results.
Before taking the drug, it is advisable for you to consult a physician in order to determine if you require it or not. You must also make a note of any diseases you might be suffering from such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer etc. before taking any drugs.
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