Saw Palmetto

Serenoa serrulata

The berries of this palm have been used by Native Americans for centuries, and seem to have positive effects on both male and female reproductive organs. Specifically, saw palmetto has been used to aid the prostate and cure hypertrophy and impotence. Women also use it to recover from urinary tract infections, uterine inflammation, insufficient milk production and painful periods. Some dispute exists as to whether its positive effects on the prostate are counteracted by its suppression of early signs of prostate trouble if such does occur. The early sign in question is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to enlargement of the prostate and incidentally causes acne in teenage boys.
Saw palmetto berries contain a volatile oil, a steroidal saponin, tannins, and several other active substances. They have a toning and soothing effect on the mucous membranes throughout the body, making them useful against colds, asthma and bronchitis as well as urinary and reproductive disorders. They also act as a diuretic and urinary antiseptic.
Not terribly romantic-sounding, is it? Well, its balancing and recovering effects on the body make it helpful to those who need it, but it's not really an aphrodisiac except in recovering a semblance of normal function.
Saw palmetto is best used over a period of several days, as the effect is mild and cumulative. When combined with damiana its strength in sex drive recovery is apparently increased.
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