HERBAL MEDICINE

As a part of primary health care and because of the increasing cost of drugs, the use of locally available medicinal plants has been advocated by the Department of Health. Many local plants and herbs in the Philippine backyard and field have been found to be effective in the treatment of common ailments

as attested to by the National Science Developmental Board, other government and private agencies/persons engaged in research. The department of health is advocating the use of the following ten (10) herbal plants. 1. SAMBONG (Blumea balsamifera) Alibhon, alimon ( p. Vis.) Kambihon, Lakdanbulan ( Vis.) Ayohan, Bulaklak Ga buen, Kaliban (Tag,) Gintin-gintin, Haliban/Camphor (Eng.) A plant that reaches 1 to 3 meters in height with rough hairy leaves. Young plants around mother plant may be separated when they have three or more leaves. Uses: Anti-edema, diuretic, anti-urolithiasis boil chopped leaves in water for 15 minutes until one glassful remains. Cool and strain. Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 4 tbsp 6 tbsp 7-12 yrs tbsp of adult dose Divide decoction into 3 parts. Drink one part of 3 times a day. NOTE: Sambong is not a medicine for kidney infection. 2. AKAPULKO (Cassia, alata L.) Bayabas-bayabasan . Kapurko. Kantada. Kantadang Aso. Pakagonkon. Sontong (tag.): Andadasi. Andadasi-bugbugtong (Ilk.): Andadasi (Ting.): Ancharasi (lg.): Andalan (Sul.): Bayabasin. Bibs-bibs (Bik.. Tag..Bis.): Kasitas (Bil.. Bis): Sunting, Palo china (Bis.): Pakayomkom Kastila (Pamp.): Ringwormbush or shrub (Eng.) Uses: Anti-fungal: Tinea Flava,ringworm,athletes foot, and scabies Preparation: Fresh. Matured leaves are pounded. Apply as soap to the affected part 1-2 times a day. 3. NIYUG NYUGAN (Quisqualis indica L.) Balitadham, Pnones. Pinio , Bonor (Bis.) Bawe-Bawe (Pamp.) Kasumbal, talolong (Bik.) Tagrau, Tagulo Totoraok (Tag.) Tartarau (Ilk.) Burma Creeper, Chinese honey suckle (Eng.) A vine which bears tiny fruits and grows wild in backyards. The seeds must come from mature. Dried but newly opened fruits. Propagated through stem cuttings about 20 cm. in height.

Uses:

Anti-helminthic - used to expel round worms ascariasis. The seeds are taken 2 hours after supper. If no worms are expelled, the dose maybe repeated after 1 week. Amount Adult 8-10 seeds 7-12yrs 6-7 seeds 6-8 yrs 5-6 seeds 4-5 yrs 4-5 seeds Caution: not to be given to children below four years old. 4. TSAANG GUBAT (Carmona Retusa) Alibungog (Vis.) Kalabonog. Maragued (Ilk) Kalimunog, Taglokot, Talibunog. Tsa (Tag.) Malatadian (Gad.) A shrub with small, shiny nice-looking leaves that grows in wild uncultivated areas and forests. Mature stems are used for planting. Uses: Diarrhea- boil the following amount of chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minuets or until amount of water goes down to 1 glass. Cool and strain. Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 10 tsbp 12tbsp 7-12 yrs 5tbsp 2-6 yrs 6tbsp Divide decoction in two parts. Let patient drink 1 part every 3 hours. Stomachache wash leaves and chop. Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water fo 15 minutes. Cool and filter/strain and drink. Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 2tbsp 3tbsp 7-12 yrs 1tbsp tbsp 5. AMPALAYA(Mamordica charantia) Amargoso (Sp.) Margoso, Ampalaya (Tag.); Apalia (Pamp.); Apape (lbn.); Apapet (ltn.); Palia(Bis., Ban., If.,Ilk.); Pubia (Sub.); Suligum (sul0; Balsam Apple, Balsam pear, Bitter gourd (Eng.) Uses: Lower the sugar levels Diabetes Mellitus (mild non-insulin dependent) Preparation: Gather and wash young leaves very well. Chop. Boil 6 teaspoons in two glassfuls of water for 15 minutes under low fire. Do not cover the pot. Cool and strain. Take one third cup 3 times a day after meals. Notes: Young leaves may be blanched/ steamed and eaten glassful 2 times a day.

6. LAGUNDI (vitex negundo) Kalaman (tag.) Dabtan (If) Limo-limo (ilk.) Molave aso (Sul) Tugas (Ceb) 5 leaveschaste tree (Eng.) A shrub growing wild in vacant lots and waste land. Matured branches are planted. The flowers are blue and bell-shaped. The small fruits turn black when ripe. It is better to collect the leaves when are in bloom. Uses: Asthma, Cough, Fever boil chooped raw fruits or leaves on 2 glasses of water left for 15 minutes until the water left in only 1 glass (decoction). Strain. The following dosages of the decoction are given according to age group: Dried leaves Fresh leaves Adult 4 tbsp 6 tbsp 7-12 yrs -----2 tbsp 2-6 yrs 3 tbsp -----1 tbsp 1 tbsp Dysentery, colds and pain in any part of the body as in influenza - boil a handful of leaves and flowers in water to produce a glass full of decoction three times a day. Skin diseases (dermatitis, scabies, ulcer, eczema) and wounds prepare a decoction of the leaves. Wash and clean the skin/wound with the decoction. Headache crushed leaves may be applied on the forehead. Rheumatism, sprain, contusions, insect bites pound the leaves and apply on affected part. Aromatic bath for sick patients prepare leaf decoction for use in sick and newly delivered patients. 7. ULASIMANG BATO (Peperonia pellucida) Pansit-pansitan (Tag.) A weed, with heart-shaped leaves that grow in shady parts of the garden and yard. Uses: Lowers the uric acid (rheumatism and gout) Preparation: Wash the leaves well. One and a half cup leaves are boiled in two glassfuls of water over lower fire. Do not cover the pot. Cool and strain. Divide into three parts and drink each part three times a day after meals. May also be eaten as salad. Wash the leaves well. Prepare one and a half cups of leaves (not closely packed). Divide into three parts and take as salad three times a day. 8. BAYABAS / GUAVA (psidium guajava L.) Guyabas Kalimbahin. Tayabas (Tag) Bagabas (lg.) Bayabo(lbm.) Buyawas (Bik., Pang.) (Sul.) Guyabas(Ilk.)

A tree about 4-5 meters high with tiny white flowers with round or oval fruits that are eaten raw. Propagated through seeds. Uses: For washing wounds - may be used twice a day. For diarrhea - may be taken 3-4 twice a day. As gargle and to relieve toothache. Warm decoction is used for gargle. Freshly pounded leaves are used fro toothache. Guava leaves are to be washed well and chopped. Boil for 15 minutes at low fire. Do not cover the pot. Cool and strain before use. 9. BAWANG Ajos (Span., Bis); Garlic (Eng.) Uses: For hypertension For toothache Lower the cholesterol levels in the blood. Preparation: May be fried, roasted, soaked in vinegar for 30 minutes, or blanched in boiled water for 5 minutes. Take two pieces three times a day after meals. Caution: Take on a full stomach to prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers. For toothache: pound a small piece and apply to affected part. 10. YERBA BUENA(Mentha cordifelia) Herba Buena (most dialects) Opiz Ablebana (If.) Hierba/Yerba Buena (Spa.) Malipuen (Als.) Hilbas (Dav, Ley) Peppermint mint (Eng.) A small multi-branching aromatic herb. The leaves are small, elliptical and with toothed margin. The stem creeps to the ground, and develops roots. May also be propagated through cuttings. Uses: For pain in different parts of the body as headache, stomach ache boil chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes, cool and strain. Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 6 tbsp 4 tbsp 7-12 yrs tbsp of adult use Divide decoction into two parts and drink one part every three hours. Rheumatism, arthritis and headache crush the fresh leaves and squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with eucalyptus. Cough and cold get about 10 fresh leaves and soak in a glass of hot water. Drink as tea. Acts as an expectorant. Swollen gums steep 6 gm. of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use solution as gargle. Toothache cut fresh plant and squeeze sap. Soak a piece to cotton in the sap and insert this in aching tooth cavity. Mouth should be

rinsed by gargling salt solution before inserting the cotton. To prepare salt solution: add 5g. of table salt to one glass of water. Menstrual and gas pain soak a handful of leaves in a glass of boiling water. Drink infusion. It reduces menstrual flow and sweating. Nausea and fainting crush leaves and apply at nostrils of patients. Insect bites crush leaves and apply juice on affected part or pound leaves until paste-like. Rub this on affected part. Pruritis boil plant alone or with eucalyptus in water. Use decoction as a wash on affected area. Reminder on the use of herbal medicine: 1. Avoid the use of insecticides as these may leave poison on plants. 2. In the preparation of herbal medicine use clay pot and remove cover while boiling at low heat. 3. Use only the part of the plant being advocated. 4. Follow accurate dose of the suggested preparation. 5. Use only one kind of herbal plant for each type of symptoms or sickness. 6. Stop giving the herbal medication in cause untoward reaction such as allergy occurs. 7. If signs and symptoms are not relieved after 2 or 3doses of herbal medication, consult your doctor.