Schisandra and Saw Palmetto

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)

Active Compounds: Schisandra contains a number of compounds, including essential oils, numerous acids, and lignans. Lignans (schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisins, and pregomisin) are found in the seeds of the fruit and have a number of medicinal actions.

The classical treatise on Chinese herbal medicine, the Shen Nung Pen Tsao Ching, described schisandra as a high-grade herbal drug useful for a wide variety of medical conditions-especially as a kidney tonic and lung astringent. Chinese herbalists use schisandra for coughs, night sweats, insomnia, thirst, and physical exhaustion.

Useful for the treatment of:

• chemotherapy support
• common cold/sore throat
• fatigue
• hepatitis
• liver support

• stress

Modern Chinese research suggests that lignans in schisandra regenerate liver tissue damaged by harmful influences such as viral hepatitis and alcohol. Lignans lower blood levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), a marker for infective hepatitis and other liver disorders.

Schisandra fruit may also have an adaptogenic action, much like the herb ginseng, but with weaker effects. Laboratory work suggests that schisandra may improve work performance, build strength, and help to reduce fatigue.

Safety:  Side effects involving schisandra are uncommon but may include abdominal upset, decreased appetite, and skin rash.
Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.

 

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens, Sabal Serrulata)

Active Compounds: The lipophilic (fat soluble) extract of saw palmetto provides sterols and the fatty acids caproic, lauric, and palmitic, which reduce the amount of dihydotestosterone in the prostate. The fatty acids in saw palmetto also discourage the actions of inflammatory substances that otherwise contribute to BPH.

Here are the constituents of Saw Palmetto:

	Essential oil
	Fixed oil, consisting of 25% fatty acids; caproic, lauric, palmitic & 75% neutral fats.
	Sterols
	Polysaccharides; galactose, arabinose and uronic acid.

Earlier this century, saw palmetto berry tea was commonly recommended for benign enlargement of the prostate. It was called the “plant catheter” because of its tonic effect on the neck of the bladder and the prostate. It was also used to treat chronic urinary tract infections. Some believed that the berry increased sperm production and sex drive in men. It was used as an aphrodisiac; women used it to enlarge breasts. Saw Palmetto was most commonly prescribed for frequency of urination and excessive night urination due to inflammation of the bladder and prostate enlargement.

Remedies For: Diuretic, urinary antiseptic, endocrine agent.

Saw Palmetto is a herb that acts to tone and strengthen the male reproductive system. It may be used with safety where a boost to the male sex hormones is required. It is specific in cases of enlarged prostate glands. It will be of value in infections of the genito-urinary tract.

Applications:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Thyroid deficiency – preliminary results

antiseptic, sedative, cardiac, tonic, diuretic

BPH is considered to be caused by testosterone accumulating in the prostate. The testosterone is then converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes the cells to multiply too quickly and leads to enlargement of the prostate. The saw palmetto extract prevents testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone. It also inhibits DHT from binding to cellular receptor sites and so increase DHT’s breakdown and excretion.

In several double blind studies Saw Palmetto extract was an effective treatment for BPH. It was found to be superior to finasteride (Proscar). While Proscar takes up to an year to show some beneficial effects, Saw Palmetto extract showed better results in shorter period of time. Most patients reported obtaining some relief of symptoms within the first 30 days of the treatment with the Saw Palmetto extract. Saw palmetto had no demonstrable effect on the serum prostatic specific antigen levels.

Useful for asthma and all kinds of throat troubles, colds, bronchitis, la grippe, whooping cough, and when the throat is irritated and painful. Especially useful when there is excessive mucous discharge from the sinuses and nose.

Valuable in all diseases of the reproductive organs, ovaries, prostate, testes, etc. as well as for Bright’s disease and diabetes

Combinations : For debility associated with the reproductive system it will combine well with Damiana and Kola. For the treatment of enlarged prostate glands it may be used with Horsetail and Hydrangea.