All herbs have a rich history of uses. They are complex chemical structures, the science and folklore that help tell their tales and help us understand their complex, yet simple language. This month we would like to highlight Saw Palmetto, one of the superstar ingredients in a product we use by Cult and King called Tonik. Also a herb that we have in our Apothecary as part of a blend for both the female and male reproductive systems. So without further ado, we give you Serenoa Repens (Saw Palmetto).
Meet the Master
The parts used are mainly the berries. This plant is part of the Arecaceae Family (Palm Family). It’s energetics are pungent, bitter with a mild sweetness, warming, and drying. In modern times, it’s taken mostly as a tincture (very concentrated extract) and the “awful” taste is due to the presence of steroidal saponins, which gives a soapy, bitter flavor. It is these constituents which assist in the processing of steroidal hormones such as the androgen testosterone in the liver. It is considered Alterative (gently increases elimination of metabolic wastes through the major eliminatory organs such as lungs, lymph, skin, kidney, liver, and bowel, thus improving the body's abilities to heal and function in a healthy manner), Anti inflammatory, AntiSpasmodic (relieves spasms of involuntary muscle), Diuretic (increased passing of urine) and a Reproductive tonic.
These days it is primarily used for an enlarged or inflamed prostate, urinary tract infections, and also in support of the female reproductive system, conditions of the upper respiratory tract, as well as a nervine sedative for nervous excitability.
Folklore
The fruit of saw Palmetto has been eaten for thousands of years. It was a staple in the diet of the Seminole Tribe. The Seminole were originally from Northern Florida, but gradually moved South to the Everglades to protect themselves from the colonists. They were known for their wood carvings, beadwork, and basket weaving. They would grind the berries of Saw Palmetto into a flour to use for infusions to treat dysentery and stomach ache. The inner bark was used to treat snake bite, insect bites and general skin ulcerations. Other parts of the plant were used in basket making, rope making, and making brooms.
In Astro Herbalism the Planetary Ruler of saw palmetto is Mars, it’s Astrologic energetics being that of Scorpio.
Glamor Ritual
Cosmetically, Saw Palmetto has shown a lot of promise in hair growth, both taken internally as part of supplementation, and externally as an ingredient in scalp treatments, and products used on the scalp and in the hair, such as one of our absolute FAVS...Tonik by Cult + King. The ingredient list of this product is amazing, and with the aid of Salicylic Acid (Willow Bark), the scalp is rendered more receptive to the benefits of the other botanicals in the formula. Cult and King provided some before and after images to us in our last virtual product knowledge class that showed promising results in new hair growth on one of their clients, and it really impressed us to say the least.
We recommend it as a scalp tonic in general, as the botanical blend soothes inflammation around the follicles, and supports a healthy scalp without disrupting the microbiome. It comes in glass, and is refillable. It smells divine, and doesn’t pollute the environment with nasty chemical runoff when you rinse it out during your shower.
Eternally grateful for your support, and eager to support in exchange <3.
Jo-Anna
@flippster1 (Instagram)
@flippsalon
@botanicprovidence
The information in this blog is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.
