Pahlow, M., Das Grosse Buch der Heilpflanzen, Native Americans in the southeastern United States have known about the benefits of the berries from the saw palmetto palm (Serenoa serrulata) for centuries. Not only did they provide important nutrition after a hot summer, but also were cherished for their effects on reproductive health both for men and women. A native of the area from South Carolina to Florida, the saw palmetto palm grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet. The ripe berries are about the size of olives, some what oily and bright red to brown at harvest time.

Mabey, R., The New Age Herbalist, Collier Books, The berries contain a volatile oil, fixed oil, steroidal saponins, capric, caproic, caprylic, lauric, oleic and palmitic acids, resin, tannins and flavonoids. They have a toning and soothing effect on the mucous membranes throughout the body, making them useful in treating colds, asthma and bronchitis as well as urinary and reproductive disorders including bladder and prostate diseases, impotence, and uterine inflammation.

The American Journal of Natural Medicine, November, 1994 Saw Palmetto extract and BPH: Results from a multicenter study. Results from a recent open multicenter study corroborate those from numerous double-blind, controlled studies showing that the liposterolic extract of Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) standardized to contain 85% to 95% fatty acids and sterols is an effective treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In fact the results produced in the trial once again demonstrated the Saw palmetto extract's superiority over finseteride (Proscar). While Proscar typically takes up to a year to produce any significant benefit, Saw palmetto extract produces better results in a much shorter period of time. Most patients achieve some relief of symptoms within the first 30 days of treatment with the Saw palmetto extract. A total of 305 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Each patient was given a dosage of 160 mg twice daily. The subjective evaluations of treatment made by patients after 45 and 90 days of treatment were quite favorable. After 45 days, 83% of patients estimated the drug was effective. After 90 days, the percentage increased to 88%. Similarly, global evaluations made by physicians after 45 and 90 days demonstrated 81% and 88% effectiveness respectively. There were no serious adverse reactions reported. The objected evaluations demonstrated remarkable improvements in all measurements. Maximum urinary flow (ml/s) increased from 9.78 to 12.19; mean urinary flow rate (ml/s) increased from 5.83 to 7.41; prostatic volume (mm3) decreased from 40,348 to 36,246; and the international prostate symptom score decreased from 19 to 12.4. While these improvements are impressive, perhaps the most impressive changes occurred in the quality of life scores.