Page 257 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Saw Palmetto,
Serenoa repens

Saw Palmetto, a fan palm, grows in the Southern At-
lantic and Gulf Coast areas of the USA. It grows in
dense thickets of low-growing plants from 2 to 10 feet
(0.6 to 3m) tall. It is in the Arecaceae (Palm) Family.

Identification: The light green or silvery-white saw
palmetto leaves form a rounded fan containing ap-
proximately 20 leaflets. The petiole (leaf stalk) is cov-
ered with sharp teeth or spines, hence its name. The
petioles can grow 2 to 3 feet (0.6m to 0.9m) long.
Leaves are 2 to 3 feet (0.6m to 0.9m) across and are
divided into leaflets that are 2 to 4 feet(0.6m to 1.2m)
long. Small flowers are yellow-white on densely cov-
ered compound panicles up to 2 feet (0.6m) long. Saw
palmetto fruit is a large reddish-black drupe when ripe. Ted Bodner, CC by 3.0
Berries about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size appear at the end stomachaches, indigestion, and dysentery. It has both
of the summer as green to brown berries, ripening to a sedative and diuretic properties.
purple-black color.
Prostate Problems: Saw Palmetto is used for
Edible and Other Use: The heart is edible raw or prostate swelling, prostate cancer, and other prostate
cooked as is the ripe fruit, which is described as having problems. It is a safe treatment for men with mild to
a blue cheese-like or soapy flavor. To access the deli- moderate Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. It improves
cious heart cut the trunk and peel away the outer husk. the need for frequent urination.
The new shoots are also edible. The palm stems/stalks
are used for cordage (rope) and basketmaking. Increased Libido and Delayed Menopause:
Saw palmetto has long been believed to increase the li-
bido in both men and women. It is said to increase fer-
tility in women and delay the onset of menopause.
Androgenetic Alopecia (Hair Loss): Saw Pal-
metto berries treat Androgenetic Alopecia in some
people. This is a type of hair loss and baldness caused
by hormone imbalance.

Weight Gain and Failure to Thrive: Saw pal-
metto berries are anabolic, and help increase muscle
mass and aid in weight gain.

Harvesting: Pick the ripe purplish-black berries by
hand in August and September spreading them out to
dry. Store them in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Medicinal Use: Saw palmetto berries are used for Warning: Avoid use of saw palmetto if you have a
medicine. blood clotting disorder, liver disease, or pancreas dis-
order. Do not use saw palmetto if pregnant or breast-
General Tonic, Coughs, and Indigestion: feeding. Saw palmetto increases fertility and makes
Try the juice of crushed berries as a general tonic for birth control pills less effective. Do not give saw pal-
health. It also relieves even the most troublesome metto to children.
coughs and is an expectorant. It is also used for

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