Serenoa repens

[Gileno Machado]

I was very surprised to hear from my friend's father that he was using a medicine synthesised (probably mispelled, sorry) from a palm. He showed me Saw palmetto imported pills (I guess from the fruits) and he claims it to be very beneficial for his symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. He said that it's been proved to be effective in shrinking the prostate, thus reducing the symptoms, and also that they are reseaching the effectiveness in preventing prostate cancer too.

Has anyone else here been aware of this before, or other therapies involving palm products as medicine? I've tried a little google research and the volume of information is amazing...

Some people in Brazil say that coconut water is natural medicine and it's often included here in patients diets at our hospitals, for helping with the recovery from surgeries, but I can't think of other treatments with palm related products...

[merrill]

It is quite difficult to collect Serenoa seed here in its' native range because of the aggressive collecting for prostate medicine.  For a while, I hoped that only the pulp was used, and there would be an untapped supply of seed, but it looks as if the whole fruit is used.  There is published research showing Serenoa is more effective than a leading synthetic prostate medicine.

[palmazon]

According to the lore, native Americans were aware of Serenoa repens beneficial properties (re: prostatic hyperplasia).

Unfortunately, by the time my crop starts bearing fruit, I'll probably already be in the advanced stages -  another milestone to look forward to...

[redant]

I have soooo many seeds in my yard my it's ridicules. They are extremely bitter to chew on, one would certainly have to grind and cap them or something. I doubt swallowing them whole would do much. Mine are just about ripe and ready for picking.

[Walt]

Serenoa repens grow like weeds around here. I've seen pickers picking fruit from them on many of the vacant lots here and on larger parcels of land. Sometimes there will be signs posted (by the company that picks the seeds) offering money to pick S. repens fruits from your land.

The fruits are just now starting to ripen, so I may see some pickers anytime.

The below two photos are of some trunked forms of S. repens.

by waltcat100

by waltcat100

[DoomsDave]

Ah, yes, Serenoa repens.

The Prostate Palm.

Gileno, you are correct, it is a very highly regarded remedy.  My father and I both take it regularly.

If you get past 40 and/or you have a family history of prostate trouble, I'd buy some supplements and take them.

As the demand for the seed grows, the price is bound to rise.

Hmm.  Maybe start a Prostate Palm Farm?  

dave

[DoomsDave]

Here's a pic of Mr. and Mrs. Gileno at the Big H this February, in front of a nice clump of Prostate Palm.

It is kinda pretty at that stage.

dave