By James Tababa
Medicinal plants were used to cure illnesses long before the development of modern medicine. Even today, plants are still natural sources of pharmaceutical derivatives for medicine. As people become more conscious of their health, they are inclined to consume natural products.
Under Republic Act 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA), the Department of Health–Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (DOH-PITAHC) endorses ten plants for medical use. The DOH has validated these plants upon scientifically testing the plant’s efficacy and safety. However, it is still recommended that one consult a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and medical advice before taking any medicinal plants.
Akapulko (Casia alata)
Akapulko or ringworm bush is locally known as bayabas-bayanasan, katanda (Tagalog), andadasi (Ilokano), and palochina (Bisaya). It is a shrub that can be found abundantly throughout the Philippines. The leaves have antifungal properties useful in treating skin diseases like eczema, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and tinea flava.
The leaves are ground and applied to the affected skin area two times daily within three weeks to kill the fungi completely. For sensitive skin, ground leaves are boiled and the decoction is used to wash the affected area.
Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)
Ampalaya, bitter gourd (English), paria (Ilokano), and palia (Bisaya) is a vine vegetable commonly cultivated in the Philippines. It is clinically proven to reduce blood sugar levels. It is recommended to be consumed by people with diabetes.
To help control blood levels for diabetic patients, one cup of young ampalaya leaves should be consumed twice a day as a salad or as an ingredient in meals. They may also boil two cups of sprouts in two glasses of water for 15 minutes. And drink the decoction three times daily, 30 minutes before each meal.
Bawang (Allium sativum)
Bawang or garlic is a common kitchen spice in Philippine households. It is extensively grown in Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Norte, Mindoro, and Cotabato. It is one of the earliest documented herbs used for treating diseases.
The fresh cloves of bawang are used for lowering blood cholesterol levels and hypertension. Patients may be advised to eat 2-3 garlic bulbs three times a day during each meal.
Bayabas (Psidium guajava)
Bayabas or guava is a tropical fruit mostly found in Filipino backyards. Aside from the nutritional benefits of eating guava fruit, the leaves have been long used as an antiseptic and antibacterial in treating wounds.
To treat scabies or wounds, boil one or two handfuls of leaves in a pot of water. Wash the wound with lukewarm guava water twice a day until they heal. The water from the boiled leaves can also be used for bathing to help relieve skin itchiness.
Lagundi (Vitex negundo)
Lagundi is also known as dangla (Ilokano), five-leaved chaste tree, or horseshoe vitex. It can also be found throughout the Philippines. Lagundi is a well-known herbal medicine. Some pharmaceutical companies have already commercialized this plant as cough syrups and food supplements.
Lagundi helps relieve cough, asthma, and pharyngitis. To use as a treatment, boil crushed lagundi leaves in a pot with two cups of water until only half the mixture is left. The amount of crushed leaves according to the patient’s age is as follows: 1 ½ tablespoons (2-6 years old); 3 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 6 tablespoons (13 years old and above).
Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica)
Niyog-niyogan is a shrub that bears beautiful flowers. Aside from its medicinal properties, it is sought after by some plant lovers and gardeners for its ornamental value. It is also known as tartaraok (Tagalog), balitadham (Bisaya), Rangoon creeper, Chinese honeysuckle, and liane vermifuge.
Niyog-niyogan is used for the treatment of intestinal worms. The seeds are obtained from the withered fruit of the plant. The seeds are taken orally. Dosage of seeds to eat based on the patient’s age: 4-5 seeds (4-6 years old); 6-7 seeds (7-12 years old); 8-10 seeds (13 years old and above).
Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)
Sambong is a flowering herbal shrub. It is also called lakad-bulan (Bikol), bukadkad (Bisaya), sudsud (Ilokano) and Ngai camphor (English). Sambong is commonly found in open fields, roadsides, grasslands, and mountainous regions.
Sambong is also a popular medicinal herb. The Philippine National Kidney and Transplant Institute recommend taking sambong for patients with kidney problems. It is known to dissolve kidney stones.
To treat kidney stones, boil the minced sambong leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Let it cool. Divide it into three portions. Each portion Is taken three times a day. The dosage of minced sambong leaves is based on the patient’s age: 3 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 6 tablespoons (13 years old and above).
Tsaang gubat (Carmona retusa)
Tsaang gubat is a medicinal shrub originating from most of the Philippine forests. It is now commonly seen as an ornamental plant. It is also known as putputai (Bikol), alangit (Bisaya), and forest tea.
Tsaang gubat is medicinally used to treat stomach aches as a mouthwash and body cleanser.
To treat stomach pains, boil the chopped leaves of tsaang gubat in 1 glass of water for 15 minutes. Let it cool. The amount of chopped leaves is based on age: 1 1/2 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 3 tablespoons (13 years old or older); not recommended for children below seven years old.
Ulasimang-bato (Peperomia pelucida)
Ulasimang-bato is a succulent herb found in damp, shaded areas like nooks, walls, and roofs. Ulasimang bato also goes with the name pansit-pansitan (Tagalog), olasiman-ihalas (Cebuano, Bisaya), tangon-tangon (Bikol), and peperonia (English).
Eating ulasimang-bato is a traditional treatment for gout. Eating 1 cup of ulasimang-bato as a salad three times a day is advised to control the uric acid. Alternatively, it can be boiled in 1 1/2 glasses in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Then drink 1/3 glass of the boiled water three times every meal.
Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)
Yerba Buena, or wild peppermint, is an aromatic herb commonly regarded as a weed in rice paddies. Its analgesic property is effective in relieving aches and pains.
For headache and stomach pains, boil chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Divide the water into two parts and drink one part every 3 hours.
It can also relieve cough and cold by soaking ten fresh leaves in hot water and drinking it as a tisane.
For toothaches, cut the fresh leaves and squeeze the sap. Soak a piece of cotton in the sap and insert it in the aching tooth.
