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| Departments » Herbal Medicine » Materia Medica » Serenoa serrulata |
Note - the monographs are provided for informational purposes only, and are not to be used for self-medication.
Serenoa serrulata (Saw Palmetto)
| Botanic Name | Serenoa serrulata (Hook, F.) |
| Common Name | Saw Palmetto, Sabal, Sabal serrulata 1 |
| Family | Arecaceae (Palmaceae) |
| Parts Used | Berries (fruit) |
| Habitat | On sand dunes and coastal regions of Florida, Texas and Georgia USA. 2 |
| Constituents | Volatile
oil 2
Steroidal saponins 2 Resins 2 Fixed oil 2 Possible alkaloids 2 Dextrose 4 |
| Actions | Diuretic 4
Urinary antiseptic 4 Endocrine agent 4 Tonic to the male reproductive system and particularly the prostate 2 Reduces congestive catarrhal conditions of the respiratory system 2 Relaxant 2 Nutritive 10 Inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone 13 Speeds the breakdown and elimination of other hormones believed responsible for prostate enlargement 13 |
| Applications | Prostatic
hypertrophy and other prostatic ailments 2
Debilitated conditions of the male reproductive system 2 Male senility and wider debility 2 Urinary infections 2 Respiratory catarrh in concert with the above conditions 2 Infections of the gastro-urinary tract 4 May be used with safety where a boost to the male sex hormone is required 4 Aids with atony of testicles or breasts 10 |
| Dosage | Dried Berry
Pulp: 1 – 2 gm tds 2
Decoction: 0.5 – 1 tea spoon tds 4 Tincture: 1 – 2 ml tds 4 |
| Combinations | Turnera
diffusa, Cola vera for debility associated with the reproductive
system 4
Equisetum arvense, Hydrangea arborescens for enlarged prostate. 4 |
| C/I Cautions | Rare cases
of stomach problems are recorded 5
Can be safely consumed when used appropriately 5 |
| BHP S/I | Prostatic enlargement6 |
References
- Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal, Tiger, Great Britain, 1994.
- Mills, S., The Complete Guide to Modern Herbalism, Thorsons, Great Britain, 1994.
- Bradley, P.R.(Ed.), British Herbal Compendium Volume I, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992.
- Hoffmann, D., The New Holistic Herbal, Element, Dorset, 1990.
- McGuffin, M., Hobbs, C., Upton, R., Goldberg, A., American Herbal Products Association - Botanical Safety Handbook, CRC Press, 1997.
- British Herbal Medical Association, British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983, British Herbal Medical Association, 1989.
- Motram, L., Herbal Materia Medica Course Notes, 1983.
- Willard, T., The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal, Wild Rose College of Natural Healing Ltd, Alberta, Canada, 1991.
- Priest, A.W. and Priest, L.R. Herbal Medication. A Clinical and Dispensary Handbook. London: L.N. Fowler & Co. Ltd.
- Brockhampton Press, Guide to Herbal Remedies, Brockhampton Press, London, 1996.
- Lust, J., The Herb Book, Bantam Books, USA, 1974.
- Singh Y. N., Blumenthal, M., Kava culture, then & now, Herbs for Health, Vol 2, No 6: 56-60, 1998.
- McCaleb, R., Herbal Help for Prostate Problems, Herbs for Health, Spring/Summer 1996, pp 26- 28.