Categories
Herbs & Plants

Saw palmetto,

[amazon_link asins=’B01884B454,B00T8MD7JC,B00XUZCSPC,B01CNHGVEG,B0016KG3O0,B01HFNL33M,B01HHOB42E,B002Y27KEQ,B0013OXII8′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’cc805c28-07a2-11e7-a2e2-9bcd0a77fc61′]

Botanical Name :Sarenoa serrulata
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:     Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Coryphoideae
Tribe:     Trachycarpeae
Subtribe: Livistoninae
Genus:     Serenoa
Species: S. repens

Synonyms: Sabal. Sabal serrulata, Serenoa repens

Common Names :Saw palmetto,

 Habitat:Saw palmetto is native to  the Atlantic Coast from South Carolina to Florida, and southern California.It is endemic to the southeastern United States, most commonly along the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains, but also as far inland as southern Arkansas. it grows in clumps or dense thickets in sandy coastal lands or as undergrowth in pine woods or hardwood hammocks.

Description:
Saw palmetto is a fan palm, with the leaves that have a bare petiole terminating in a rounded fan of about 20 leaflets. It is a hardy plant; extremely slow growing, and long lived, with some plants, especially in Florida where it is known as simply the palmetto, possibly being as old as 500–700 years. The petiole is armed with fine, sharp teeth or spines that give the species its common name. The teeth or spines are easily capable of breaking the skin, and protection should be worn when working around a Saw Palmetto. The leaves are light green inland, and silvery-white in coastal regions. The leaves are 1–2 m in length, the leaflets 50–100 cm long. They are similar to the leaves of the palmettos of genus Sabal. The flowers are yellowish-white, about 5 mm across, produced in dense compound panicles up to 60 cm long. The fruit is a large reddish-black drupe and is an important food source for wildlife and historically for humans. The plant is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species such as Batrachedra decoctor, which feeds exclusively on the plant.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

Edible Uses: This plant is also edible to human beings, but the more green it is the more bitter tasting it would be.

 Medicinal Uses:
Part Used: Partially-dried ripe fruit……..CLICK & SEE

Constituents:  Volatile oil, fixed oil, glucose, about 63 per cent of free acids, and 37 per cent of ethyl esters of these acids. The oil obtained exclusively from the nut is a glyceride of fatty acids, thick and of a greenish colour, without fruity odour. From the whole fruit can be obtained by pressure about 1 1/2 per cent of a brownishyellow to dark red oil, soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform and benzene, and partly soluble in dilute solution of potassium hydroxide. The fixed oil is soluble in alcohol, ether, and petroleum benzin. The presence of an alkaloid is uncertain.

Diuretic, sedative, tonic. It is milder and less stimulant than cubeb or copaiba, or even oil of sandalwood. Like these, it has the power of affecting the respiratory mucous membrane, and is used for many complaints which are accompanied by chronic catarrh. It has been claimed that sabal is capable of increasing the nutrition of the testicles and mammae in functional atony of these organs. It probably acts by reducing catarrhal irritation and a relaxed condition of bladder and urethra. It is a tissue builder.

Saw palmetto is another wonderful instance of scientific research validating traditional herbal medicine. Saw palmetto frequently equals and sometimes exceeds pharmaceuticals for treating benign prostate hypertrophy( BPH). More than a dozen clinical studies involving almost 3,000 men have verified saw palmetto’s ability to markedly alleviate BPH symptoms- without the libido reducing side effects of the pharmaceutical drug. The herb helps more men than synthetic drugs, and it gets the job done faster. As an added benefit, saw palmetto inhibites enzymes that are suspected to cause male pattern baldness, and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence indicates that saw palmetto stems hair loss and triggers growth. Although it has lost the favor of mainstream medicine in the U.S., it is still widely used in Europe.

saw palmetto  extract has been promoted as useful for people with prostate cancer. However, according to the American Cancer Society, “available scientific studies do not support claims that saw palmetto can prevent or treat prostate cancer in humans”

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenoa
http://www.driscollsnatural.com/herb_detail.php?herb=255
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sawpal26.html

Categories
Herbs & Plants

Serenoa repens

[amazon_link asins=’B00XUZCSPC,B0013OXII8,B01BIARGCK,B01LQPZ8BS,B003EX827I,B0013OXAIQ,B01DOON7DK,B007BKV1TQ,B01K3VMQRU’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0cb93929-9909-11e7-85af-877201a4a30c’]

Botanical Name :Serenoa repens
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Coryphoideae
Tribe: Trachycarpeae
Subtribe: Livistoninae
Genus: Serenoa
Hook.f.
Species: S. repens
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Arecales

Synonyms : Sabal serrulata – (Michx.)Schult.&Schult.f.

Common Names : Serenoa,saw palmetto

Habitat :Serenoa ios native to  South-eastern N. America – South Carolina to Florida, west to Arkansas. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, most commonly along the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains, but also as far inland as southern Arkansas.
It grows in low pine woods, savannahs and thickets, where it often forms substantial thickets. Also found on coastal sand dunes

Description:
Saw palmetto is a small palm, normally reaching a height of around 2–4 m (3–6 ft). Its trunk is sprawling, and it grows in clumps or dense thickets in sandy coastal lands or as undergrowth in pine woods or hardwood hammocks. Erect stems or trunks are rarely produced but are found in some populations.

click to see the pictures.>…..(01).(1).…..(2)....(3)...…(4)...
It is a hardy plant; extremely slow growing, and long lived, with some plants, especially in Florida where it is known as simply the palmetto, possibly being as old as 500–700 years.It is a fan palm, with the leaves that have a bare petiole terminating in a rounded fan of about 20 leaflets. The petiole is armed with fine, sharp teeth or spines that give the species its common name. The teeth or spines are easily capable of breaking the skin, and protection should be worn when working around a Saw Palmetto. The leaves are light green inland, and silvery-white in coastal regions. The leaves are 1–2 m in length, the leaflets 50–100 cm long. They are similar to the leaves of the palmettos of genus Sabal. The flowers are yellowish-white, about 5 mm across, produced in dense compound panicles up to 60 cm long. The fruit is a large reddish-black drupe and is an important food source for wildlife and historically for humans. The plant is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species such as Batrachedra decoctor, which feeds exclusively on the plant. This plant is also edible to human beings, but the more green it is the more bitter tasting it would be.

It is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf all year. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

Edible Uses:

Edible Parts: Fruit; Seed.click to see

Fruit – raw or cooked. A sweet flavour but with a soapy taste and a strong vanilla-like aroma[238]. Regular consumption of the fruit is supposed to be very beneficial to the health, improving the digestion and helping to increase weight and strength. Seed – raw or cooked.

Cultivation:
Requires a warm sunny position in a moist but well-drained soil. Plants can succeed in quite dry soils so long as their roots can penetrate to underground water. Growing mainly in coastal areas in its native range, this species is likely to be very tolerant of maritime exposure, though not of cold winds. This species is one of the hardiest of palms and succeeds outdoors in warm temperate zones. It is only likely to be marginally hardy, even in the mildest areas of Britain, and probably tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates. Palms can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established – removing many of the leaves can also help. Plants usually sucker freely in the wild and form dense thickets.

Propagation:
The seed is best sown in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. It usually germinates freely. Stored seed is more difficult to germinate, it should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water before sowing in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Although the plant forms suckers, these do not usually transplant well and so seed is the only sure method of propagation

Medicinal Uses:
Antiseptic; Aphrodisiac; Diuretic; Expectorant; Sedative; Tonic; Uterine tonic.

Saw palmetto berries are a tonic herb that is used in the treatment of debility, urinary tract problems and for reducing enlarged prostate glands. The partially dried ripe fruit is aphrodisiac, urinary antiseptic, diuretic, expectorant, sedative and tonic. It is taken internally in the treatment of impotence, debility in elderly men, prostate enlargement and inflammation, bronchial complaints associated with coldness, and wasting diseases. Saw palmetto is one of the few Western herbs that are considered to be anabolic (strengthening and building body tissue and encouraging weight gain). The fruit pulp, or a tincture, is given to those suffering from wasting disease, general debility and failure to thrive. The fruit also has a beneficial effect on the urinary system, helping to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate gland and strengthening the neck of the bladder. The fruit has a probable oestrogenic action, it is prescribed in the treatment of impotence, reduced or absent sex drive and testicular atrophy in men and to stimulate breast enlargement in women. The fruit is also used in the treatment of colds, coughs, irritated mucous membranes, asthma etc. A suppository of the powdered fruits, in cocoa butter, has been used as a uterine and vaginal tonic.

The fruits of the saw palmetto are highly enriched with fatty acids and phytosterols, and extracts of the fruits have been the subject of intensive research for the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This extract is also commonly used for other medical conditions, such as baldness, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and other hyperandrogen conditions, though research on such uses is preliminary.

Numerous meta-analyses of clinical trials S. repens extract in the treatment of BPH have found it safe and effective for mild-to-moderate BPH compared to placebo, finasteride, and tamsulosin Two larger trials found the extract no different from placebo. An updated meta-analysis including these trials found that saw palmetto extract “was not more effective than placebo for treatment of hyperplasia but following two million U.S. who use saw palmetto, urinary problems are greatly reduced. However, saw palmetto extract was comparable to tamsulosin and finasteride in this meta-analysis. Longer-term (2 years; most clinical trials have been 1 year) open studies suggest that saw palmetto reduces the risk of men with BPH ultimately needing to have surgery

Other Uses:

The leaves are used for thatching by several indigenous groups; so commonly so that there is a location in Alachua County, Florida named Kanapaha (“palm house”). The fruits may have been used to treat an unclear form of fish poisoning by the Seminoles and Bahamians

Basketry; Brush; String.

The leaf stems have been used in making baskets. The plant has been used to make brushes and cordage.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenoa_repens
http://digedibles.com/database/plants.php?Serenoa+repens

Categories
Featured

Pumpkin Seeds To Treat Enlarge Prostrate

[amazon_link asins=’B01BLYNWVM,B00FPSTDVY’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’2a93d4b9-0934-11e7-ac5f-e36c01e0fc00′]

 

In this article about the enlarged prostate treatment of pumpkin seeds, you will discover:

* What are pumpkin seeds?
* Why pumpkin seeds are considered an enlarged prostate treatment?
* How many pumpkin seeds do you need to take as an enlarged prostate treatment?

What Are Pumpkin Seeds?….. click to see

Today pumpkins are grown throughout the world but they are native to North and South America.

Pumpkin seeds are a popular snack food but they can be used for medicinal purposes.

Pumpkin seeds contain:

* Amino Acids
* Essential Fatty Acids
* Minerals
* Mucilaginous Carbohydrates
* Phytosterols
* Vitamin E
* Zinc

Apart from helping with prostate problems, pumpkin seeds can also help with the symptoms of the following health conditions:

* Depression
* Kidney Stones
* Parasites

While pumpkinseed oil is most commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, small studies have shown that pumpkinseeds, which contain amino acids, steroidal compounds, and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, may lower the risk of certain types of kidney stones and improve symptoms associated with enlarged prostates [[Alternative Medicine Magazine, January 2008, Issue 103, page 16. ]]. Additionally, pumpkin seeds reportedly contain significant amounts of L-tryptophan, which fights depression in higher doses. While pumpkin seeds do not contain these levels, they may be taken as a preventative. Some studies have also found pumpkin seeds to prevent hardening of the arteries and regulate cholesterol levels.

Pumpkin seed oil, commonly prescribed in German folk medicine, remedies parasitic infestations such as tapeworms. The infected patient ingests roughly 10 ounces of ground pumkin seeds, milk, and honey. Castor oil is swallowed two hours later to eliminate the tapeworms.

Pumpkin seed oil serves as a salad dressing when combined with honey or olive oil, but should never be heated, which destroys its essential fatty acids.

Pumpkin seed oil has a very intense nutty taste and is very healthy due to its richness in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Brown oil has a bitter taste. Interestingly, traditional claims based on local folk medicine regarding its usefulness in the prevention and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia may have some clinically proven efficacy (particularly along with Serenoa repens “Saw Palmetto” and Pygeum Africanum) according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine.

Why Pumpkin Seeds Are Considered An Enlarged Prostate Treatment?

Pumpkin seeds are considered an enlarged prostate treatment because research has shown that positive result in reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) especially when combined with saw palmetto.

It is thought that pumpkin seeds are a good enlarged prostate treatment because of the zinc, free fatty acid, or plant sterol content.

How Many Pumpkin Seeds Do You Need To Take As An Enlarged Prostate Treatment?

If you want to eat pumpkin seeds as a snack but also want the benefits from them, then consuming up to 400 g daily would be beneficial.

Note: Pumpkin seeds can cause upset stomach but generally they are safe.

If you want to take pumpkin seed oil extract supplements, then taking 160 mg three times daily with meals could help with your BPH symptoms.

So, to sum up…

Research has shown that taking pumpkin seed oil extract supplements especially with saw palmetto can help to reduce your symptoms of BPH and is considered a safe alternative enlarged prostate treatment.

Click to learn more about enlarged prostrate cure……...(1)..…....(2).…….(3)

Resources:
:http://ezinearticles.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin_seed_oil

Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Definition
Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) is non-malignant enlargement of the prostate. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located at the neck of the bladder surrounding the urethra. It is part of the male reproductive system.

click & see the pictures

BPH is the most common benign neoplasm (non cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland) in men, and has a high prevalence that increases with age. The increase in size of the prostate inside its capsule exerts pressure on the urethra, which passes through the capsule, resulting in obstruction to urine flow.

Half of all men have BPH identifiable histologically at age 60 years, and by 85 years the prevalence is about 90%. In the USA about 25% of men will be treated for BPH by age 80, and over 300,000 surgical procedures are performed each year for BPH (mostly transurethral resection of the prostate, TURP). This makes TURP the second most common surgical procedure, second only to cataract surgery – at a cost estimated at $2 billion per year.

Causes
The exact cause of BPH is unknown. It may be related to changes in hormone levels as men age. These changes probably cause the prostate to grow. Eventually, the prostate becomes so enlarged that it puts pressure on the urethra. This causes the urethra to narrow or, in some cases, close completely.

Symptoms:

There are several symptoms of BPH. Symptoms usually increase in severity over time.But most common symptoms are :-

Difficulty starting to urinate
Weak urination stream
Dribbling at end of urination
Sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
Urge to urinate frequently, especially at night
Deep discomfort in lower abdomen
Urge incontinence

Diagnosis:
Although there are a number of diagnostic test procedures which can be used for BPH, urine flow rate recording is the single best non invasive urodynamic test to detect lower urinary tract obstruction. There is insufficient evidence to recommend a cut-off value to document appropriateness of therapy.

The most common tests sre:
Urine flow study
Cystometrogram (a functional study of the way your bladder fills and empties)
X-ray of the urinary tract
Cystoscopic examination
Transrectal ultrasound

Testing for prostate specific antigen (PSA) is often used to screen for prostate cancer, a malignant condition. However BPH, which is far more common, may cause a lesser elevation in PSA levels, which may raise false concerns about the presence of cancer.

Treatment:
There are a number of treatment options. These include watchful waiting, medical therapy, balloon dilatation and various surgical procedures. But In mild cases of BPH, no treatment is necessary. In many cases, men with BPH eventually request medical intervention.

Modern Medications include:

Finasteride (proscar)   inhibits the production of the specific form of testosterone which is responsible for prostate glandular growth. (In some men, finasteride can shrink the prostate.)
Dutasteride (avodart)   also inhibits the production of the specific form of testosterone which is responsible for prostate glandular growth. Like proscar, avodart can result in shrinking of the prostate
Alpha-blockers (flomax, uroxatral, cardura, terazosin)  reduce bladder obstruction and improve urine flow by relaxing the muscles of the prostate and bladder neck.

Men with BPH should not take decongestant drugs containing alpha agonists such as pseudoephedrine. These drugs can worsen the symptoms of BPH.

Minimally Invasive Interventions
These are used when drugs are ineffective but the patient is not ready for surgery. Non-surgical treatments include:

Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT)  uses microwaves to destroy excess prostate tissue

Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA)   uses low levels of radio frequency energy to burn away portions of the enlarged prostate

Transurethral Laser Therapy   uses highly focused laser energy to remove prostate tissue

Surgery
Surgical procedures include:

Transurethral Surgical Resection of the Prostate (TURP) – a scope is inserted through the penis to remove the enlarged portion of the prostate.

Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP) – small cuts are made in the neck of the bladder to widen the urethra. The long-term effectiveness TUIP is not yet clearly established.

Open Surgery – removal of the enlarged portion of the prostate through an incision, usually in the lower abdominal area. This is much more invasive then TURP or TUIP.

To these surgical options must be added a number of medical treatments currently under trial. The AHCPR report concluded that there was presently insufficient data on any of these to permit conclusions regarding their safety and efficacy. The new treatments should not form part of purchasing contracts until one year follow up data from properly conducted randomised controlled trials are available.

Alternative Treatments:
Preliminary clinical trials suggested positive results with saw palmetto, an herb native to the Southern United States. However recent studies, particularly a carefully conducted randomized double-blind study indicate that the use of saw palmetto is no different than placebo in reducing BPH symptoms, raising questions about the true clinical effectiveness of this product.

Prevention
Because prostate enlargement occurs naturally with advancing age, there are no specific prevention guidelines.

A New Way in Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Natural Prostate Remedy

Ayurvedic remedies for Benign prostatic hypertrophy

Homeopathic Remedies For BHP

Yoga Exercise to help : 1.The Locust (Yoga Exercise)

2.Meditation

3.Basic Breathing (Pranayama)

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Help taken from: http://www.beliefnet.com/healthandhealing/getcontent.aspx?cid=12003 and http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/band11/b11-3.htm

css.php