HERBAL MEDICINES

As part of Primary Health Care and because of the increasing cost of drugs, the use of locally available medical plants has been advocated by the Department of Health (DOH). Many local plants and herbs in the Philippines backyard and field have been found to be effective in the treatment of common ailments as attested to by National Science Development Board, other government and private agencies. These are the 10 list of herbal medicines in the Philippines which is approved by the Department of Health, tested and have been clinically proven to relief such pain:

1. LAGUNDI (Vitex negundo) Other Names

Kamalan (Tag.) Limo-limo (Ilk.) Tugas (Ceb.) Dabtan (If.) Molave aso (Sul.) 5 leaveschaste tree (Eng.)

Description 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 & Preparation a. Asthma, cough and fever Boil raw fruits or leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes until the water left only 1 glass (decoction). Strain. Leaves should be chopped and the following dosages of the decoction are given according to age group. b. 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 decoration c. Skin diseases (dermatitis, scabies, ulcer, eczema) and wounds Prepare a decoction of the leaves. Wash and clean the skin/wound with the decoction. d. Headache Crush leaves may be applied on the forehead. e. Rheumatism, sprain, contusions, insect bites Pound the leaves and apply on affected part. f. Aromatic bath for sick patients Prepare leaf decoction for use in sick and newly delivered patients. Dosage Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 7-12 yrs 2-6 yrs 4 tbsp 2 tbsp 1 tbsp 6 tbsp 3 tbsp 1 tbsp

2. YERBA (Hierba) BUENA (Mentha Cordifelia) Other Names Herba Buena (most dialects) Hierba/Yerba Buena (Spanish) Hilbas (Dav. Ley) Opiz Ablebana (If.) Malipuen (Als.) Peppermint Description 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 & Preparation a. For pain in different parts of the body as headache, stomachache Boil chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. Divide decoction into two parts and drink one part every three hours. b. Rheumatism, arthritis and headache Crush the fresh leaves and squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with eucalyptus. c. Cough and cold Get about 1- fresh leaves and soak in a (expectorant) glass of hot water. Drink as tea. d. Swollen gums Steep 6 g. of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use solution as gargle. e. Toothache Cut fresh plant and squeeze sap. Soak a piece cotton in the 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 5 g. of table salt to one glass of wate f. Menstrual and gas pain Soak a handful of leaves in a glass of boiling water. Drink infusion. It induces menstrual flow and sweating. g. Nausea and fainting Crush leaves and apply at nostrils of patients h. Insect bites Crush leaves and apply juice on affected part or pound leaves until paste-like. Rub this on affected part. i. Pruritus Boil plant alone or with eucalyptus in water. Use decoction as a wash on affected area Dosage Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 7-12 yrs 6 tbsp 1 tbsp 4 tbsp tbsp

3. SAMBONG (Blumea balsamifera) Other Names

Alibhon. Alimon (p. Vis) Kambihonn. Lakdanbulan (Vis.) Ayohan. Bulaklak. Ga buen, Kaliban (Tag.) Gintin-gintin, Haliban or Camphor (Eng.)

Uses & Preparation: a. Anti-edema, diuretic, anti-urolithiasis Boil chopped leaves in a glass of water for 15 minutes until one glassful remains cool and strain. Divide decoction into 3 parts. Drink one part 3 times a day. Dosage Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 7-12 yrs 4 tbsp tbsp 6 tbsp tbsp

Note: Sambong is not a medicine for kidney infection

4. TSAANG GUBAT (Carmona retusa) Other Names: Alibungog (Vis.) Kalabonogm Maragued (Ilk.) Kalimunog, Taglokot, Talibunog, Tsa (Tag.) Malatadian (Gad.)

Description A shrub with small, shiny nice-looking leaves that grows in wild uncultivated areas and forests. Mature stems are used for planting. Uses & Preparation a. Stomachache Wash leaves and chop. Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water for 15 minutes. Cool and filter or strain. Dosage Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 7-12 yrs 2 tbsp 1 tbsp 3 tbsp 1 tbsp

b. Diarrhea Boil the following amount of chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes or until amount of water goes down to 1 glass. Cool and strain. Divide decoction into 4 parts. Let patient drink 1 part every 3 hours. Dosage Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves Adult 10 tbsp 12 tbsp

7-12 yrs 2-6 yrs

5 tbsp 2 tbsp

6 tbsp 3 tbsp

5. NIYUG-NIYOGAN (Quisqualis indica L.) Other Names Balitadhan, Pnones, Pinio, Bonor (Bis.) Bawe-bawe (Pamp.) Kasumbal Talolong (Bik.) Tagrau Tagulo Totoraok (Tag.) Tartarau (Ilk.) Burma creeper Description 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 & Preparation a. Anti-helmintic Used to expel round worms which cause ascariasis. The seeds are taken 2 hours after supper. no worms are expelled, the dose may be repeated after one week. Caution: Not to be given to children below four years old. Dosage Seeds Adult 7-12 yrs 6-8 yrs 4-5yrs 8-10 6-7 5-6 4-5

6. BAYABAS (Psidium guajava L.) Other Names Guyabas, kalimbahin, Tayabas (Tag.) Bagabas (lg.) Bayabo (lbm.) Bayawas (Bik., Pang.) Biabas (Sul.) Guyabas (Ilk.) Description A tree, about 4-5 meters high with tiny white flowers, round or oval fruits that are eaten raw. Propagated through seeds. For washing wounds may be used twice a day For diarrhea 0 may be taken 3-4 twice a day

Uses & Preparation As gargle and to relieve toothache. Warm decoction is used for gargle. Freshly pounded leaves are used for toothache. Guava leaves are to be washed well and chopped. Boil for 15 minutes at low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain before use.

7. AKAPULKO (Cassia, alata L.) Other Names

Bayabas-bayabasan (Tag.) Ringworm bush or shrub (Eng.)Anti-fungal Tinea Flava, ringworm, athletes foot, and scabies

Uses & Preparation Fresh, matured leaves are pounded. Apply soap to the affected part 1-2 times a day.

8. ULASIMANG-BATO (Peperonia pellucida) Other Names Pansit-pansitan (Tag.)A weed with heart-shaped leaves that grow in shady parts of the garden and yard. Lowers uric acid (rheumatism and gout) Uses & Preparation Wash the leaves well. One and a half cup leaves are boiled in two glassfuls of water over low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Divide into three arts and drink each part three times a day after meals. May also be eaten as salad. Wash the leaves well. Prepare one a half cups of leaves (not closely packed). Divide into three parts and take as a salad three times a day.

9. BAWANG Other Names Ajos (Span. Bis.) Garlic (Eng.)To lower cholesterol levels in blood, for hypertension, toothache Uses & Preparation May be fried, roasted soaked in vinegar for 30 minutes, or blanched in boild 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. AMPALAYA (Mamordica charantia) Other Names Amargoso (Sp.) Margoso, Ampalaya (Tag.) Balsam Apple (Eng.)Diabetes dependent) Uses & Preparation Gather and wash young leaves very well. Chop. Boil 6 tablespoons in two glassfuls of water for 15 minutes under slow fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Take one third cup 3 times a day after meals. Note: Young leaves may be blanched/steamed and eaten glassful 2 times a day.

Mellitus

(Mild

non-insulin

Reminders of the Use of Herbal Medicines 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Avoid the use of insecticides as these may leave poison on plants. In the preparation of herbal medicine, use a clay pot and remove cover while boiling at low heat. Use only the part of the plant being advocated. Follow accurate dose of suggested preparation. Use only one kind of herbal plant for each type of symptoms or sickness. Stop giving the herbal medication in case untoward reaction such as allergy occurs. If signs and symptoms are not relieved after 2 or 3 doses of herbal medication, consult a doctor.

Reference: Cuevas et. al. (2007) Public Health Nursing in the Philippines, 10 ed.p.324-329

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