Category Archives for Male Tonic

Serenoa repens

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Gottleib, R. (2006). Saw Palmetto. Retrieved from: http://www.artmajeur.com/en/artist/raphaelg/collection/architectural-and-biological-illustrations/1086633/artwork/saw-palmetto/1212021

Botanical Name: Serenoa repens
Common name: Saw Palmetto
Family: Arecaceae (Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)
Parts used: Fruit (berry) (Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)

 

History/Folklore: Traditionally associated with treatment of the prostate gland (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 804). Other traditional use includes conditions of the respiratory tract, notably when accompanied by catarrh (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 804). The Eclectics administered the herb for upper and lower respiratory complaints; atrophy of reproductive organs; and benign prostatic hypertrophy (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 804).

 

Constituents:

  • Essential oil
  • Fixed oil (caproic, lauric and palmitic acid)
  • Sterols
  • Polysaccharides

(Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)

 

Actions

  • Diuretic (Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)
  • Urinary antiseptic (Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)
  • Endocrine agent (Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)
  • Anti-inflammatory (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 804; Bone, 2010, p. 400)
  • Male tonic (Bone, 2010, p. 400)
  • Spasmolytic (Bone, 2010, p. 400)
  • Antiandrogenic (Bone, 2010, p. 400; Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 804)

 

Indications

  • Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)

Appears to inhinit dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (potentially responsible for multiplication of prostate cells) by blocking activity of enzyme 5-α-reductase (Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)

  • Difficulties with urination (Hoffmann, 2010, p. 583)
  • Inflammation of genitourinary tract (Bone, 2010, p. 400)
  • Cystitis (Bone, 2010, p. 400)
  • Atrophy of sexual tissues (Bone, 2010, p. 400)
  • Sex hormone deficiency (Bone, 2010, p. 400)
  • Noninfectious prostatitis (Bone, 2010, p. 400)
  • Odema (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 804)
  • Male pattern baldness (topical) (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 804)

 

Preparation: Dried berry decoction, tablets, capsules or liquid extract (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 804)

 

Dosage:

  • 0-4.5mL liquid extract (1:2)/day
  • 15-15mL liquid extract (1:2)/week (Bone, 2010, p. 400)

 

Cautions and Contraindications: None known (Bone, 2010, p. 400)