Earlier the root was used not only as an aphrodisiac but also as a syphilis antidote, competing with mercury derivatives. Today, the main use is to flavour beverages, e.g. root beer. Constituents of the root include the glucoside sarsaponin which can be hydrolysed to the aglycone sarsapogenin. This, in turn, is closely related to some steroidal hormones, e.g. progesterone, and can be used as a starting material for their preparation. The berries of the North American bush saw palmetto , Serenoa serrulata , are believed to have a remarkable effect as an aphrodisiac, virtually independent of the physical age of the user.
Commercial preparations are widely available.
Wild vanilla Preparations of the North American wild vanilla , Trilisa odoratissima , are said to have aphrodisacal properties, and also to induce erotic dreams.