Plant Family: Palmae, Palmaceae

Common Names: Sabal, Sabal serrulata 

Origin: Saw Palmetto is a small, palm-like plant found in sand dunes along the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts. It is native to the Atlantic Coast of south Carolina, Georgia and Florida and southern California, USA, and grows from the Carolinas to Texas.

History: Native Americans and early American settlers used the berries to treat problems associated with the:

• genitals
• reproductive system
• urinary tract

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• ethyl esters
• fixed oil
• free acids
• polysaccharides
• steroidal saponin
• tannins
• volatile oil (glyceride of fatty acids)

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Berries

Saw Palmetto berries are used for:

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• improves digestion
• increases the assimilation of nutrients to the body
• stimulates appetite

Genitourinary Conditions

Saw Palmetto is called the 'plant catheter' due to its therapeutic effect on the neck of the bladder and is used to: 

• benefit the urinary tract
• relieve strain from painful bladder problems
• tone the bladder by improving urinary flow

Regular use of Saw Palmetto may decrease urinary frequency, especially at night by:

• allowing complete bladder expulsion
• reducing inflammation of the bladder

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• nourishes the nervous system

Glandular System

• aids the thyroid in regulating sexual development
• for those suffering from thyroid deficiency
• marked effect on glandular system

Female Conditions

• aphrodisiac for women, combined with Damiana
• atrophy of mammary glands
• balances the hormones
• for reduced or absent libido (sex drive)
• frigidity
• increases the nutrition of the mammary glands in functional atony of these organs
• ovarian and uterine irritability
• stimulates breast enlargement and lactation

Inflammatory Conditions

• decreases catarrh in the mucous membranes

Male Conditions

• aphrodisiac for men, combined with Damiana
• atrophy of testes 
• balances the hormones
• benefits the prostate gland
• for reduced or absent libido (sex drive)
• therapeutic effect on the prostate gland
• enlarged or weakened prostate gland (often combined with Willow Herb)
• reducing inflammation of the bladder and enlarged prostrate
• impotence
• increases the nutrition of the testicles in functional atony of these organs

Reproductive System

• normalizes activity of the reproductive glands and organs

Respiratory Conditions

• asthma
• clears chest congestion
• chronic bronchitis
• conditions associated with colds
• coughs
• mucous congestion

Other

• for all wasting diseases
• general tonic during convalescence from illness as it builds up strength and increases flesh rapidly
• in the treatment of diseases that deprive the body of strength and growth
• tissue builder

Action:

• anabolic [strengthens and builds body tissues]
• aphrodisiac [an agent for rousing or increasing sexual desire or potency]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the secretion and expulsion of urine]
• expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous from the respiratory passages]
• inhibits androgen and estrogen receptor activity
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
• tonic [an agent that strengthens or invigorates organs or the entire organism]

Precautions

Caution: Saw Palmetto

• should not be used during pregnancy because of its potential hormonal effects