Saw palmetto, also known as American dwarf palm, is a small, fan-like palm native to the southeastern coastal regions of the US. The plant is especially prolific in Florida, where it acts as an under canopy ground cover in the Apalachicola National Forest. In fact, Florida is the largest producer of saw palmetto products.
The drupes, or berries, which are harvested in the fall at the peak of maturity, were considered an important staple food to various Native American times. They also used the berries to make restorative teas and tonics for men. Today, saw palmetto berries are one of the most popular herbal supplements on the market, fueled by decades of investigation on the effects of plant steroids in the herb that are comparable to finasteride.
