Saw palmetto is a short-growing, shrubby palm with a natural distribution that includes the southeastern coast of the US, as well as the Gulf Plains and some parts of the Pacific coast. The species—the only one in its genus—is especially abundant in Florida, where specimens have been found that have been determined to be more than 500 years old.
The purple-black berries, or drupes, have been used for hundreds of years by Native Americans as food during times of scarcity. The herb also has a long history of use in countering a variety of issues associated with an enlarged prostate.
Powdered saw palmetto berries can be used to produce teas, tonics and liquid extracts. However, it is more commonly encapsulated as a dietary supplement.
