Serenoa repens, commonly known as saw palmetto, Serenoa serrulata, is the sole species currently classified in the genus Serenoa. It is a small palm, growing to a maximum height of around 7–10 ft (2–3 m). It is endemic to the lowlands and savanna scrubs of the subtropical southeastern United States, most commonly along the south Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains, but also as inland to southern Arkansas.
The seed of the Serenoa serrulata are highly enriched with fatty acids and phytosterols, and extracts of the fruits have been the subject of intensive research for the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
palm kernel fatty acid is an extract of the fruit of Serenoa repens. It is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols. It has been used in traditional, eclectic, and alternative medicine to treat a variety of conditions, most notably benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Palm kernel fatty acid (Serenoa repens, Saw palmetto) is used popularly in Europe to treat symptoms of enlarged prostate. Although it is not considered the standard of care in the United States, it is the most popular herbal treatment for this condition. More than two million American men use saw palmetto for enlarged prostate, and it is commonly recommended as an alternative treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).