Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto) Flashcards
How do you recognise Saw Palmetto?
- Saw palmetto, also known as sabal or dwarf palm is a shrub/small tree >4m with leaves divided into about 20 rays.
- The petiole has a sharp serrated edge like a saw.
- Native to West Indies & East coast of USA.
- Leaves used by indigenous peoples for thatching and fibre.
What are Saw Palmetto’s main constituents?
Constituents:
* Fatty acids: Oleic, Lauric, Myristic, Linoleic Palmitoleic
* Essential Oil.
* Phenolic acids.
* Phytosterols
* Flavonoids
* Polysaccharides
Trials often use liposterolic extracts rather than whole fruit. Fats and sterols mainly give it its actions.
What family is Saw Palmetto in?
Small, a member of the Arecaceae.
What is Saw Palmetto good for?
Summary: Sometimes used as a unirinary antiseptic and duiteric, but mainly used for prostatic health.
Actions:
* Prostatic tonic.
* Diuretic.
* Antispasmodic.
* Urinary antiseptic.
* Endocrine agent.
* Aphrodisiac
Applications:
* Mainly used at this time for prostatic problems: BPH. Prostatitis. Prostate cancer.
* Urethritis.
* Epididymitis.
* Has been used for alopecia.
* Some people also say an aphrodisiac, but unclear if that is linked to prostate health (ie treat the latter and it sorts the former).
* Some people say it also supports weight gain
What is Saw Palmetto’s Latin name?
Serenoa repens
What parts of Saw Palmetto do you use?
Part used: (stoned) berries – occur in large clusters on plant. Usually black and shrivelled
What safety issues might Saw Palmetto have?
Safe herb – mild GIT upsets in some people.
What useful research does Saw Palmetto have?
External links:
The largest review of the use of Serenoa for BPH concluded that “Serenoa repens, at double and triple doses, did not improve urinary flow measures or prostate size in men with lower urinary tract symptoms consistent with BPH.” Some subsequent research has been more positive…
Herbalists say anedotally it works well; what is being used in the trials? If LESP, how extracted etc.. are they missing other constituents? Hardf to compare results with differnt trials.
What remedies might you use Saw Palmetto in?
Dosage 20ml as Bendle mostly gives as a 1:3 tincture/week or 1-2 berries eaten by day. Can also be used as directed with pills/extracts - LESP extracts can be a bit confusing
When he had chronic prostatitis, Bendle gave himself a tincture of: Stinging nettle root, Turmeric, St Johns Wort, Buchu, Serenoa Repens. He used stinging nettle root as Saw Palmetto seems to work well with it though Bendle is not sure why.
He was offered by his GP; Gavapentin - used a lot to tackle nerve pain; Fenesteride - which transforms testosterone into a more active form DHT. Serenoa works similarly. He was also offered an Alpha 1 antagonist, this relaxes the muscles - and Serenoa also works like this, antispasmodic etc. Serenoa effects receptor sites to can inhibit the impact of testeterone.
Not the best tasting - soapy flavour due to all the fatty acids. Bendle gives a bigger dose and then drops it down to a lower maintenance dose.
Prostatitis can happen to men of any age whereas BPH is more a condition for older men.
Bendle gave him Serenoa (20), Turmeric (20). Hydrangea (10) , Buchu (15), Licorice (10) and Astragulus (15). Also gave him a heavy dose of Echneacea for a blast. Also gave him Astragulus, Marshmallow, Licorice and Buchu tea - wanted to help sooth the area. After this he felt a lot better but needs to be on the medicine for a few months.
