Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

Yerba Buena is an important medicinal plant. Primarily a pain reliever, it is also used in gaseous distention and as mouthwash. The efficacy and safety of Yerba Buena have been proven through scientific research and clinical trials. In fact, dried Yerba Buena leaves have been manufactured into tablet form by the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. The Department of Health will distribute these in their clinics and hospitals as soon as their own pilot plants are in operation.Now that you can recognize Yerba Buena, let's know its medicinal uses.Yerba Buena is indicated or used primarily as pain reliever. The medicinal term for pain reliever is analgesic. As analgesic, Yerba Buena is effective for headache, toothache, and pains caused by arthritis. But Yerba Buena has other medicinal uses too, called its secondary indications. It is also used for gaseous distention and a mouthwash.

Wash fresh Yerba Buena leaves in running water. Chop to size for dried leaves, crush) and boil 2 teaspoons of leaves in a glass of water. Boil in medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes. As analgesic, take a cupful every 3 hours. For tooth aches, pound the fresh leaves, squeeze juice out and apply on a cotton ball then bite on to the aching tooth. Yerba buena leaves may be heated over fire and placed over the forehead for headaches. Yerba Buena may be used to treat: Arthritis Head aches Tooth aches Mouth wash Relief of intestinal gas Stomach aches Indigestion Drink as tea for general good health.

Tsaang Gubat or Wild Tea (Ehretia microphylla Lam.)

Tsaang Gubat is a shrub (small tree) that grows (from 1 to 5 meters) abundantly in the Philippines. In folkloric medicine, the leaves has been used as a disinfectant wash during child birth, as cure for diarrhea, as tea for general good heath and because Tsaang Gubat has high fluoride content, it is used as a mouth gargle for preventing tooth decay. Research and test now prove it's efficacy as an herbal medicine. Aside from the traditional way of taking Tsaag Gubat, it is now available commercially in capsules, tablets and tea bags. Preparation & Use:

Thoroughly wash the leaves of tsaang gubat in running water. Chop to a desirable size and boil 1 cup of chopped leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil in low heat for 15 to 20 minutes and drain. Take a cupful every 4 hours for diarrhea, gastroenteritis and stomach pains. Gargle for stronger teeth and prevent cavities. Drink as tea daily for general good health.

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera L.) Sambong is one herbal medicine (of ten) approved by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) as an alternative medicine in treating particular disorders. This plant possesses a multitude of properties that make it worthy of the DOH approval. It functions as an astringent and as an expectorant, and has been found to be antidiarrhea and anti-spasm. As an astringent, preparations made of sambong leaves may be used for wounds and cuts. It is also suggested to be incorporated to post-partum baths, as well as considerable immersion of particular body areas that are afflicted with pains caused by rheumatism. Its expectorant properties make it as a popular recommendation to be taken in as tea to treat colds. Preparation & Use:

A decoction (boil in water) of Sambong leaves as like tea and drink a glass 3 or 4 times a day. The leaves can also be crushed or pounded and mixed with coconut oil. For headaches, apply crushed and pounded leaves on forehead and temples. Decoction of leaves is used as sponge bath. Decoction of the roots, on the other hand, is to be taken in as cure for fever.

Niyog-Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.) Niyog-niyogan is cultivated in greenhouses and can be naturalized in tropical areas. This vine starts as a shrub about 3-feet tall with branches growing from all directions. The mother shrub seizes to grow and dies after six months allowing the creeper to rapidly climb walls, trees, and the like. The branches of niyog-niyogan are filled with oblong-shaped leaves growing on opposite sides attached to 6mm to 10mm long petioles. The leaves of niyog-niyogan can grow up to 15cm long and more than 5cm wide with a pointed tip. Its flowers grow in clusters and it blossoms year-round. Its flowers open at night with five bright red petals and gives out a distinct perfume. The young flowers of niyog-niyogan start with white-colored petals that turn pink then red as it matures. It also bears fruits, which can grow up to 3cm long with five angles on its sides. Preparation & Use:

Seeds of niyog-niyogan can be taken as an anthelmintic. These are eaten raw two hours before the patients last meal of the day. Adults may take 10 seeds while children 4 to 7 years of age may eat up to four seeds only. Children from ages 8 to 9 may take six seeds and seven seeds may be eaten by children 10 to 12 years old.

Decoctions of its roots are also sometimes used as a remedy for rheumatism while its fruits are used as an effective way to relieve toothaches.