Serenoa repens

Common names:
Saw Palmetto, Sabal

Family: Arecaceae (formerly Palmaceae)

Plant Parts Used: Ripe berries (fruit)

Description & Habitat:
Small palm tree that grows 1-4 metres high.  It’s berries are black, fleshy, growing in clusters each with 1 large wrinkled oblong seed approximately 1 - 2.5cm.  Native to the West Indies, West Coast of the United States (South Carolina to Florida), growing in sunny savannas and thickets in moist rich soils.  It is known to grown in parts of Australia but not in New Zealand.


Main Active Constituents:

1. fixed oil - (palmetto oil) - composed of 25% fatty acids including lauric, caproic, palmitic and 75% neutral fats
2. volatile Oil
3. sterols - beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol
4. resins
5. tannins
6. polysaccharides - stimulate immune system


Nutritional Constituents:

Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, C
Minerals: Potassium, Selenium, Silica, Phosphorus, Zinc, Chromium, Sodium and Calcium

Main Actions:

1. Diuretic
2. Urinary Antiseptic
3. Endocrine Agent
4. Anti-septic
5. Immunostimulant
6. Anti-inflammatory
7. Male Tonic (bladder & prostate)
8. Anti-prostatic
9. Anti-spasmodic
10. Anti-androgenic


Medicinal Uses/Applications:



Serenoa has been used mainly in the Urinary/Reproductive System.  Clinically proven to benefit prostatic enlargement.  Its lipid soluble constituent inhibits the binding of androgen and oestrogen to receptors in the male reproductive tract and may also diminish the levels of hormone active in stimulating all growth in the prostate, but does not appear to change in the serum levels of testosterone contributing to this activity.  This fraction is also immuno-stimulatory and anti-oedema.  It is also a tonic for the neck of the bladder and with its actions above makes it well suited for treating the following:

Genitourinary/Reproductive System
• cystitis
• prostatic enlargement (BHP specific)
• prostatitis of any origin
• dysuria
• impotence
• catarrh of genito-urinary tract
• urethritis
• testicular atrophy
• infertility male & female
• sex hormone disorders
• prostate cancer

Respiratory System
• influenza virus
• asthma
• mucous & lung conditions

Other Areas
• stimulates the appetite and can help people to regain weight (if underweight)
• treats acne
• hirsutism


Dosage (3 x daily):
Decoction: 0.5 - 1gm

Contraindications/Interactions:
Possible interaction with concurrent use of Warfarin.
No known contraindications.
Compatible with pregnancy.
Compatible with breastfeeding.

Naturalus Products with Serenoa repens:

Saw Palmetto Tea
Prostate Tea
Libido Tea


History & Folklore:
Historically a tonic and nutritional agent; used to increase sexual function in men; improve mammary gland disorders; as an aphrodisiac; relieve chronic catarrh; as a mucous membrane tonic; treat chronic and subacute cystitis.  It has a marked effect upon all glandular tissues, increasing flesh rapidly, and building up strength.  Traditionally a staple food item for the Seminole Indians, kept dried as a year round food source.  AS well as the indications above it was used for female health conditions such as under developed breasts; increased lactation; painful menstruation; appetite stimulant and as an expectorant for the lungs.  In 1907 the early American settlers used to feed it to their horses and mules that had urinary problems.  It was also included in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia in 1908.  After World War I it was considered one of the most important natural remedies in Southern America.  Word of its benefits led to French Researchers (1960’s) making a synthetic version called Permixon which became available in 1981.


Research Links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24606563
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24463033
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24450252
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24399120
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23846725
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23683667
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23622773
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23432584
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23298508
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23173650
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22908779
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21969849
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19578780
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19394800
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19154468

Fennel, Bitter Fennel, Sweet Fennel, Marathos

Family: Apiaceae (formerly Umbeliferae)

Plant Parts Used: Fruit (Seeds)

Native to Europe & the Mediterranean.  Grows freely in New Zealand, well established along river beds, railways & wastelands.  Self sows easily, loves an open sunny situation.  Grows up to 1.5 metres high.  Leaves are dark green and divided into thread like lobes.  Umbels of yellow flowers 5-8cm across.  Flowers are 2mm across.  Fruit/Seed ovoid 4-6mm long with distinct ribs.

1. volatile oil - anethole, fenchone, limonene, camphene, phellandrene, pinene, estragole, cymene, myrcene, sabinene, terpinene, terpinolene.

2. flavonoids - rutin, quercetin, kaempferol

3. coumarins, bergapten

4. fixed oil - petroselenic acid, oleic acid & linoleic acid

5. tannins

6. resins

7. sterols

8. protein (up to 20%)

Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C

Minerals: Potassium, Sulphur, Sodium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus & Zinc

1. Anti-inflammatory

2. Carminative

3. Diuretic

4. Galactagogue

5. Orexigenic

6. Anti-spasmodic

7. Expectorant

8. Anti-microbial

9. Mildly oestrogenic

Fennels main area of use, helping with the following:

• colic (babies)

• flatulence

• intestinal cramps

• hiccoughs

• flatulent dyspepsia

• indigestion

• anorexia

• bloating

• coughs

• bronchitis

• cystitis

• breast milk production

Eyewash used for:

• blepharitis

• conjunctivits

• pharyngitis

Decoction: 0.9 - 2gms

Contraindicated if you have a known sensitivity/allergy.

No known drug interactions.

Do not use during pregnancy.

Compatible with breastfeeding - used to enhance lactation.

Historically used to treat epilepsy, counter poison & venom, relieve headaches (in the form of snuff) and as a breath freshener (when chewed).  Used as a diuretic; urinary stones; nausea; opening obstructions of the liver, spleen, gall bladder; jaundice; gout; dyspnoea; wheezing; aid in menstruation and delivery of placenta; make fat people lean; for longevity & to deter fleas.  

Folklore has fennel as a magical herb, a sure defence against evil.  In Greek Mythology, Prometheus concealed the fire of the sun in a hollow fennel stalk and brought it down to earth from heaven for the human race.  The Greek name for fennel is marathon or marathos, and the place of the famous battle of Marathon and the subsequent sports event Marathon, literally means a plain with fennels.