MinerAlert
Serenoa repens
Sabal palm, Dwarf palm, Palma Sabal.
The dried berries.
Different repartitions ranging from extracts, capsules or tablets include Saw Palmetto alone or in combination with other herbs such as pumpkin seeds or pygeum (Prunus africana), which are also employed in the treatment of prostatitis or inflammation of the male prostate gland.
Extracts of the dwarf American palm, have been available in Europe for several years for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).This is a non-cancerous inflammation of the male prostate gland. This condition can be common in men over 50 years of age and causes various types of pain and discomfort, including the inability to urinate adequately. In some countries of Western Europe, especially France and Germany, herbal supplements containing Saw palmetto and other herbs, such as Prunus africana and pumpkin seeds, for example, have become one of the leading methods for treatment of early stages of BPH. Successful treatment of BPH is a continuing process, which may also include special diets and moderate exercise. Patients with BPH usually take one or a combination of these herbs indefinitely. Any nutritional support for BPH should be done after consulting a health professional. In men with BPH, oral administration of Saw palmetto twice daily for 1 to 3 months has been generally superior to placebo in improving subjective and objective symptoms of BPH. The drug appears to have similar efficacy to finasteride (a conventional medication used to treat BPH), as evidenced by data from clinical trials. Saw palmetto does not impair libido (sex drive) or exert an estrogenic (feminizing) effect in men’s bodies. Saw palmetto’s effects on women are not known at this time.
Safety/Precautions:
Before you decide to take any medicinal herb or herbal supplement, be sure to consult with your health care professional first. Avoid self-diagnosis and self-medication: Always be on the safe side!