Herbal medicines

• Akapulko:

  • Scientific Name: Cassia alata
  • Uses: Antifungal
  • Description: Commonly known as ‘Ringworm Bush or Senna’, distributed mainly in the tropics and sub-tropics
  • Preparation: Fresh, matured leaves are pounded and applied as a soap to the affected part 1 to 2 times a day
• Bayabas:

  • Scientific Name: Psidium guajava
  • Uses: Oral/skin antiseptic
  • Description: Phytotherapic plant used in folk medicine with active components to treat and manage various diseases
  • Preparation: Freshly pounded leaves are used for toothache. Guava leaves are boiled for 15 minutes, cooled, and strained before use
• Sambong:

  • Scientific Name: Blumea balsamifera
  • Uses: Anti-urolithiasis (kidney stones)
  • Description: Common medicinal plant found throughout the Philippines in open fields, grasslands, and waste areas
  • Preparation: Chopped leaves are boiled in water for 15 minutes, cooled, strained, and divided into 3 parts to drink one part 3 times a day
• Niyog-Niyogan:

  • Scientific Name: Quisqualis indica L.
  • Uses: Anti-helminthic
  • Description: Large scandent shrub of the family Combretaceae, grown in various countries
  • Preparation: Seeds are eaten raw two hours before the patient’s last meal of the day. Not for children below four years old
• Ampalaya:

  • Scientific Name: Momordica charantia
  • Uses: Lowering blood sugar and anti-diabetes
  • Description: Traditional plant of Asian origin proposed for diabetes treatment
  • Preparation: Young leaves are boiled and strained to take one third cup 3 times a day after meals
• Tsaang Gubat:

  • Scientific Name: Carmona retusa
  • Uses: Mouth wash
  • Description: Approved by the Republic of the Philippines Department of Health for treating different ailments
  • Preparation: Chopped leaves are boiled in water, cooled, strained, and used as a mouthwash
• Bawang:

  • Scientific Name: Allium sativum
  • Uses: Anti-cholesterol
  • Description: Used for over 5,000 years as a spice, food, and medicine for cholesterol control and blood pressure regulation
  • Preparation: Can be fried, roasted, soaked in vinegar, or blanched before consumption
• Yerba Buena:

  • Scientific Name: Mentha cordifolia
  • Uses: Analgesic or antipyretic
  • Description: Aromatic herb of the Lamiaceae family cultivated throughout the Philippines
  • Preparation: Leaves can be used as tea for cough and cold, applied at nostrils for nausea and fainting, or rubbed on insect bites
• Lagundi:

  • Scientific Name: Vitex negundo
  • Uses: Cough and asthma
  • Description: Commonly distributed on roadsides and stream banks, with purple flowers
  • Preparation: Boil raw fruits or leaves in water to produce a decoction for cough, colds, and pain
• Ulasimang bato:

  • Scientific Name: Peperomia Pellucida
  • Uses: Anti-hiperurisemia
  • Description: Annular herb with fibrous roots and translucent green stems
  • Preparation: Leaves are boiled in water and divided into three parts to drink 3 times a day