I have to admit, when I first heard of saw palmetto many years ago, it sounded so strangely to me. I wondered how such a name could be derived from a plant that was used to help fight prostate issues.
Saw palmetto is a small fan palm that grows in abundance in the southeast, especially in coastal regions. It can grow as a tree or shrub up to 10 feet and has very distinctly pointy fan leaves. It grows white flowers that produce yellow berries, which when they’ve turned brownish black are ripe and ready for medicinal use.
Saw palmetto is also known to have nutritional value, containing several minerals, and even a few vitamins, that are very important to overall health in men and women. These include (calculated at zero moisture basis per 100 gm):
- Calcium 464 mg
- Dietary Fiber 40%
- Magnesium 393 mg
- Phosphorus 1,620 mg
- Potassium 1,790 mg
- Protein 11%
- Vitamin A 4,000 IU
Several others of note would be Iron, Niacin, Sodium, and Vitamin C.
The berries can be used in two forms directly, either fresh or dried. Otherwise an extract is commonly made and used then to make gelcaps or tablets for easier or more regular consumption.
The active constituents in saw palmetto are fatty acids, flavonoids, plant sterols and polysaccharides (sugar) that appear to strengthen the immune system and fight inflammation. This would explain why it may be so effective against the issues of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), UTIs in men because of BPH, and even prostate cancer.
In addition to use for prostate issues (or those possibly related to the prostate), saw palmetto has also been known to be used for the following:
- Antiseptic
- Alopecia
- Diuretic
- Antiandrogenic
- Possible Aphrodisiac – though not proven
Now, I know we’ve been discussing prostate issues in regard to saw palmetto, so it may seem to some that the herb is exclusively for men. However, women have using saw palmetto for years for better overall health, but mainly to increase breast size. This happens in two ways:
- Saw palmetto builds more tissue, which is lean tissue – there is NO FAT!
- Saw palmetto restores and promotes the development of sexual organs, including the breasts and ovaries.
Perhaps saw palmetto is a nice and natural way to save the ta-ta’s. LOL
