Saw palmetto is an herb that has been shown in clinical studies to have an important role in maintaining a healthy prostate. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, sometimes referred to as sabal in Europe) grows naturally in the southeast United States, including Georgia, Mississippi, and particularly Florida.

Saw palmetto is not the only herb that has an influence on the prostate gland. Several other herbs and plant compounds that are potentially useful in maintaining a healthy prostate gland including pygeum, stinging nettle, isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein, rye pollen, phytosterols such as sitosterol, and carotenoids such as lycopene.

Selenium has been shown as early as the 1950's to have a beneficial effect in reducing the occurrence of male prostate cancer, and a recent study done by the National Health System of China have verified previous results.

However, the substance must be taken in measured amounts because large doses of the element can be toxic. Good food sources include fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, sunflower seeds, chicken, garlic, and brazil nuts. Vegetables can also be a good source if they are grown in selenium-rich soils, and some nutritional supplements contain a supply of selenium.

St. John's Wort contains hypericin that inhibits monoamine oxidase, a bodily chemical associated with depression. It appears that hypericin does not act alone.

Like many herbal medicines, St. John's Wort relies on the complex interplay of many constituents for its antidepressant actions. Patients suffering from depression received relief, increased appetite, more interest in life, greater self-esteem and restoration of normal sleeping patterns.