Medicinal plants

AKAPULKO
Black pepper could help in battle against obesity Black
pepper could help in the fight against obesity, new
research suggests. Piperonal, a compound in the
seasoning, was found to ‘significantly’ reduce the
harmful effects of a high-fat diet when fed to rats. In
the Indian study, those given it as a supplement for six
weeks had a lower body weight, body fat percentage
and blood sugar levels as well as stronger bones
compared to animals fed fatty foods only and no
pepper.

 Decoction of leaves and flowers is very effective in easing asthma, cough and bronchitis.
 The seeds are effective in expelling intestinal parasites.
 Juice from leaves aids in controlling fungal infections like; eczema, athlete’s foot, ringworm,
scabies, and herpes.
 Pounded leaves reduce injury-related swellings, treat insect bites, and ease rheumatism.
 Leaves and flowers concoction used as mouthwash in treating stomatitis.
 Juice from leaves ease fetid discharges.
 The leaves stain is an effective purgative.

AMPALAYA
Its fruit has green flesh and has pointed ends at length. It
has a wide range of varieties that has differences in shape
and from the bitterness of each variety. Ampalaya has
crunch flesh, watery texture, and also contains seeds.
Momordica is commonly used in cooking as an ingredient
in some vegetable dishes. Aside from culinary purposes,
ampalaya also contains numerous minerals and vitamins
that are beneficial to the body. Ampalaya is also an
excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, folic acid, iron,
vitamins A, B, and C. This vegetable is very popular
worldwide in treating diabetes for it contains compounds
such as flavonoids and alkaloids. It has a high medicinal value
that can help to treat and prevent some serious diseases. This mixture helps the body to produce more insulin
which controls the blood sugar levels of a diabetic person.

Research and studies worldwide proved the benefits of bitter melon on the body’s health. This vegetable was
also considered by Department of Health (DOH) as an alternative in treating certain diseases including skin
disease, liver problems, HIV, diabetes, and other ailments.
 bawang
Bawang is a low herb, 30 to 60 centimeters high. True
stem is much reduced. Bulbs are broadly ovoid, 2 to 4
centimeters in diameter, consisting of several, densely
crowded, angular and truncated tubers. Leaves are linear
and flat. Umbels are globose, many flowered. Sepals are
oblong, greenish white, slightly tinged with
purple. Stamens are not exerted from the perianth.

- In the Philippines, bulbs used for hypertension. Also

used as diuretic, and eaten fresh or burned for coughs in
children.
- Arthritis, rheumatism, toothaches: Crush several cloves and rub on affected areas.
- Crush clove applied to both temples as poultice for headache.
- Crush garlic or cut clove crosswise and rub directly to areas of insect bites.
- Decoction of leaves and bulbs for fever and as hypotensive, carminative, expectorant, and antihelmintic.
- Juice from freshly crushed garlic used for colds, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, asthma and bronchitis.
- Decoction use for tonsillitis.
- Steam inhalation of chopped garlic and a teaspoon of vinegar in boiling water used for nasal
congestion. 

BAYABAS
Guavas are tropical trees originating in Central America.
Their fruits are oval in shape with light green or yellow skin and contain edible seeds. What’s more, guava
leaves are used as an herbal tea and the leaf extract as
a supplement. Guava fruits are amazingly rich in
antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. This
remarkable nutrient content gives them many health
benefits. Guava leaves are just as medicinally useful as
the nutritional powerhouse fruit they grow with. The
leaves of the guava tree are full of antioxidants, anti-
inflammatory agents, antibacterials, and even tannins
that can have significant health benefits, from treating
stomach troubles to chronic diseases like cancer.

Just like the popular tropical fruit can be made into beverages, jams, and other foods, its leaves can too.
They can be brewed to make a tea, for example, which releases beneficial substances like vitamin C and
flavonoids like quercetin.

Lagundi
Lagundi is an erect, branched tree or shrub, 2 to 5 meters high.
Leaves are usually 5-foliate, rarely with 3 leaflets only, and
palmately arranged. Leaflets are lanceolate, entire, 4 to 10
centimeters long, slightly hairy beneath, and pointed at both
ends, the middle leaflets being larger than the others, and
distinctly stalked. Flowers are numerous, blue to lavender, 6 to 7
millimeters long, borne in terminal inflorescences (panicles) 10 to 20 centimeters long. Calyx is hairy, and
5-toothed. Corolla is densely hairy in the throat, and the middle lobe of the lower lip is longest. Fruit is a
succulent drupe, globose, black when ripe, about 4 millimeters in diameter.