Saw palmetto has been used to treat urinary tract issues, increase libido, and bump up the sperm count in men since the early 1900s, and was a staple in the medicine pouch of Native Americans long before that. It is, however, not quite the urinary and sexual panacea folk lore and health food stores make it out to be.

When the music finally stopped, saw palmetto's place in the medicine cabinet was as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Today, more than 2 million American men use saw palmetto for enlarged prostate, and the FDA recommends it as an alternative treatment.

How does it work? Nobody knows. We do know that it contains certain phyto-chemicals that may be effective for BPH. Researchers think that saw palmetto may affect the level of testosterone in the body, and perhaps reduce the amount of an enzyme that promotes the growth of prostate cells. An anti-inflammatory effect on the prostate has also been attributed to the herb, but there is no obvious benefit over standardly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.

Do not self-medicate yourself for BPH with saw palmetto. The danger is that you may have prostate cancer (and not know it), which is best treated as soon as possible. Have your doctor rule that out first.

Saw palmetto can be purchased as dried berries, powdered capsules, tablets, liquid tinctures, and liposterolic extracts. The product label should indicate that contents are standardized and contain 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols. It is also available as an herbal tea, which is of little value, as the active ingredients of saw palmetto are fatty acids which are not soluble in water.

Do not expect results overnight. It can take up to two months before you see any benefits from saw palmetto.

The herb should be used cautiously by people with high blood pressure, stomach disorders, and liver disorders. Caution is also advised for those with hormone-sensitive conditions or in those taking hormonal agents, due to possible hormonal effects of saw palmetto.

Saw palmetto is a berry-bearing palm-like plant that flourishes in the southeastern United States. It derives its name from the jagged and saw-like nature of its leaves.  The plant has white flowers, which produce yellow berries. It is the berries which are used medicinally.