Wellness article index >> The Sex Herb Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a vigorous palm that's native to the southeastern U.S. Colonial planters noticed that cows and pigs that reached beyond their corrals to eat the berries grew unusually healthy and fat. They resisted illness, had richer coats and readily put on flesh. In time, doctors started to use it to increase the strength and weight of patients who needed to put on pounds after an illness. Doctors now use saw palmetto to normalize sex hormones; they found that it increases sex drive in women and revitalizes their reproductive organs. The herb has been called "old man's friend" because it slims down an overgrown prostate. It's used in younger men to increase sex drive and remedy atrophied testicles. Oddly, it's prescribed both for those who crave sex too much and for those with no sexual appetite at all. I rely on saw palmetto in my clinical practice. I find that my patients turn up looking sleek and well and feeling, shall we say, fully operational. Male Sex Hormone Helper: Shifting hormone levels in men can lead to a swollen prostate and declining libido. A string of convincing human clinical trials suggests that saw palmetto relieves conditions caused by changing hormone levels, most notably symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and poor sex drive. Good Medicine For Muscles and Joints: As we age, our joints are prone to painful inflammation. One study revealed that saw palmetto contains compounds that directly inhibit inflammation. Aging muscles also tend to lose suppleness and vigor. When saw palmetto is used regularly, muscles plump up. I find that saw palmetto makes an ideal supplement for those whose moving parts are not moving so well. Lose the Fur: The female body produces male and female hormones. Some women overproduce male hormones (androgens); this can lead to hirsutism, or excessive hair growth. As estrogen levels drop off at menopause, the condition can worsen. Saw palmetto has been shown to block the effects of androgen and may be a solution for women experiencing excessive hair growth. Fountain of Essential Fatty Acids: If the Fountain of Youth really existed, I'd bet that it would flow with essential fatty acids (EFAs). These oils are critical for skin, hair, nail and organ health. The body requires EFAs to build new cells. Replacing old, worn-out cells efficiently is the key to youthfulness -- and the good news is that research reveals that saw palmetto berries are rich in EFAs. Using Saw Palmetto Take the herb twice a day. http://www.AlternativeDr.com Wellness article index >> News I Health I Wellness I Exercise I Profiles I Business I Links I Women ROCK! Product Review I To the Point I Contact I Home Created by: Art Street Design Studio. © Concerning Women Communications, Inc. all rights reserved.