Scientific name
Serenoa repens, syn. Sabal serrulata
Family
Palmaceae
Origin
America (Florida), where it grows on the edge of pine forests and on the semi-sandy dunes from Carolina to California, in a sunny position. The plant was used by the Indians of Florida to treat numerous urological ailments.
Synonyms
Dwarf palm (palmetto)Parts Used
The drug consists of dried ripe fruits (globose blue-black berries when ripe).
Chemical constituents
- Fatty acids, among which we find oleic, lauric, myristic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, caprylic and capric acids, 2/3 in free form and 1/3 esterified;
- Steroids, including β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside, campestrol and stigmasterol;
- Flavonoids;
- Water soluble polysaccharides;
- Essential oil;
- Triglycerides;
- Triterpenes;
- Anthranilic acid.
Serenoa Repens in Herbalist: Property of Serenoa Repens
La serenoa is a phytotherapic used in the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy; the extracts have in fact demonstrated a peripheral anti-androgen effect, by interaction on the metabolism of testosterone in the prostate, and an inhibitory effect on lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase with consequent anti-inflammatory action.
