Saw Palmetto Berries P.E. 4:1

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a shrub native to America that produces large, dark berries about the size of olives. The berries were a food source for Native Americans, who soon learned to use them for medicinal purposes as well. Saw palmetto berries were traditionally used to treat frequent urination during the night, as well as impotence, decreased libido, and prostate problems. Today, saw palmetto berries are widely used to treat BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged, causing symptoms like pain and frequent urination. The active ingredients in saw palmetto berries are phytosterols from a variety of fatty acids. Phytosterols are thought to prevent conversion of testosterone to DHT, which is thought to be responsible for causing the prostate to become inflamed.