College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Reproductive hormone and thyroid tonic and nerve relaxant. Sweet, oily, moist.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Tonifies reproductive and thyroid hormones. Nerve relaxant. Sweet, oily, moist. Also known as Dwarf Palm. It grows in the southeast of the USA where African Americans noticed that livestock who fed on dwarf palm became sleek, heavier, & stronger. Soon it became popularly used as a tonic in eclectic tradition for weight gain, and reproductive system.

Indicated for low testosterone, hypothyroid, or uterine hormone deficiency. Moistens a dry mouth, and soothes irrtated lungs. Anti-inflammatory actions reduce swelling in enlarged prostate, while inhibiting action of testosterone on prostate hypertrophy. Considered the tonic for older men.
Ayurveda Saw Palmetto Fruit Large

Ayurveda Saw Palmetto Leaf Large

Metabolic Nature of Saw Palmetto

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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OILY

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OILY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

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AGGRAVATES
SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

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Other

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Saw Palmetto
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

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Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

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Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

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Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Soothing

SOOTHING

Calms and alleviates irritation, discomfort or pain in a particular region.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHING' FOODS / HERBS

Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

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Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Kidney Tonic

KIDNEY-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the kidneys.

SEE ALL 'KIDNEY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Urinary Tonic

URINARY-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the urinary system. These can be helpful for urinary incontinence or improving function after a urinary tract infection. They can also strengthen the bladder to ward off a urinary tract infection.

SEE ALL 'URINARY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Raises Thyroid

RAISES-THYROID

An herb that increases thyroid function.

SEE ALL 'RAISES-THYROID' FOODS / HERBS

Antiandrogen

STRONG ANTIANDROGEN

Reduces androgen (testosterone), which can reduce excess growth, drive, and libido. Reduces skin oiliness. Helpful for prostate enlargement.

SEE ALL 'ANTIANDROGEN' FOODS / HERBS

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Aphrodisiac

APHRODISIAC

Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.

SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS

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Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

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Progesteronic

PROGESTERONIC

Progeserone is the pregnancy hormone. It raises body temperature (Pitta), and suppresses menstruation. It is generally more extroverted.

SEE ALL 'PROGESTERONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Promotes Fertility

PROMOTES-FERTILITY

An herb that promotes fertility. Generally used by women who wish to become pregnant. These herbs may also help with menstrual problems of deficiency, such as amenorrhea (lack of a period).

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-FERTILITY' FOODS / HERBS

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Testosteronic

TESTOSTERONIC

Androgenic. Stimulates testosterone.

SEE ALL 'TESTOSTERONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Uterine Tonic

UTERINE-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the uterus. Helpful for menstrual difficulties and fertility. Often herbs that increase ojas, but also circulation to reproductive system.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Tonic

MUSCLE-TONIC

Herbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
5a Reductase Inhibitor, Tannins,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

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Phytosterols

PHYTOSTEROLS

The plant version of cholesterol. Often precursors to stress and sex hormones.

SEE ALL 'PHYTOSTEROLS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Saw Palmetto

  • Stinging Nettles

    Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Nutritive, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic, Urinary-tonic, Antiandrogen, Kidney-tonic, Testosteronic

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Nervine, Testosteronic, Aphrodisiac, Expectorant, Nutritive, Digestive, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dates (dried)

    Dates (dried) has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Muscle-tonic, Tonic, Diuretic, Nutritive, Uterine-tonic, Galactagogue, Promotes-fertility

    LEARN MORE

  • Fennel Seeds

    Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Antiandrogen, Expectorant, Spleen-tonic, Digestive, Galactagogue, Diuretic, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Grape

    Grape has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Uterine-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Nutritive, Diuretic, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Saffron

    Saffron has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Aphrodisiac, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic, Digestive, Nervine, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Antiandrogen, Galactagogue, Digestive, Nervine, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Expectorant, Spleen-tonic, Digestive, Galactagogue, Diuretic, Soothes-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Tofu

    Tofu has these Actions in Common

    Uterine-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Nutritive, Diuretic, Soothing, Galactagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Dill

    Dill has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Galactagogue, Diuretic, Nervine, Expectorant, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Nigella (black cumin)

    Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Galactagogue, Digestive, Nervine, Diuretic, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Saw Palmetto

  • Vidari

    Vidari has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-tonic, Uterine-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Soothes-throat, Aphrodisiac, Soothing, Diuretic, Testosteronic, Expectorant, Tonic, Galactagogue, Urinary-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Nutritive, Progesteronic, Anti-inflammatory, Testosteronic, Aphrodisiac, Tonic, Diuretic, Urinary-tonic, Galactagogue, Uterine-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Shatavari

    Shatavari has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Uterine-tonic, Galactagogue, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Progesteronic, Promotes-fertility, Soothes-throat, Anti-inflammatory, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Gokshura

    Gokshura has these Actions in Common

    Promotes-fertility, Soothing, Testosteronic, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Urinary-tonic, Diuretic, Uterine-tonic, Nervine, Nutritive

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  • Damiana

    Damiana has these Actions in Common

    Progesteronic, Promotes-fertility, Testosteronic, Urinary-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Digestive, Expectorant, Kidney-tonic, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Shatavari Ghee

    Shatavari Ghee has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Aphrodisiac, Galactagogue, Nutritive, Progesteronic, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Uterine-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Bala

    Bala has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Aphrodisiac, Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Urinary-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chastetree Berry

    Chastetree Berry has these Actions in Common

    Progesteronic, Promotes-fertility, Uterine-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Digestive, Diuretic, Expectorant, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Anantamul

    Anantamul has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Galactagogue, Kidney-tonic, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Urinary-tonic, Uterine-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chandraprabha Vati

    Chandraprabha Vati has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Diuretic, Nervine, Promotes-fertility, Urinary-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Aphrodisiac

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Saw Palmetto may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Saw Palmetto may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Saw Palmetto. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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What is Ayurveda?

Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.