Tag: Serenoa repens

First used centuries ago by Native Americans for nutritional and medicinal purposes, saw palmetto berries remain a popular supplement today, particularly for men's health. However, scientific evidence surrounding the efficacy of saw palmetto is mixed, prompting many to question their true value for conditions like enlarged prostate and hair loss.

Native Americans have historically used the ripe berries of the saw palmetto for both food and medicine for centuries. The question, "What part of the saw palmetto plant is used?" is specifically answered by focusing on these same berries, which are the source of modern supplements.

Native Americans historically consumed saw palmetto berries, but modern accounts describe their raw taste as notoriously pungent, oily, and peppery, similar to a 'strong oily blue cheese'. While physically possible to consume, most people today prefer processed forms like supplements, raising questions for health-conscious individuals: can I eat raw saw palmetto and is it a safe or effective way to benefit from its compounds?.

Native Americans historically used saw palmetto berries for both food and medicine, but their safety and efficacy for modern consumption are more complex. Today, the question of 'is it safe to eat saw palmetto berries?' is best answered by considering the difference between whole berries and the standardized extracts found in supplements, and understanding the potential risks involved.

Native Americans have used the fruit of the *Serenoa repens* palm for centuries for both food and medicine. The specific plant that produces this fruit holds the key to the question: **What fruit contains saw palmetto?**