Herbal Plants Approved by DOH

Nathalie C. Fat, RN,MAN

 Herbalism
• Is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine
practice based on the use of plants or plant
extracts.
• Botanical medicine, medical herbalism,
herbology, and phytotherapy
• RA 8423 “Traditional and Alternative
Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997
 Preparation
• Decoction – laga or boil
• Poultice – tapal
• Infusion – tea
• Syrup – add sugar for storage (3 – 5 days)
• Oils
• Ointment
• Tincture – herbs prepared with alcohol or vinegar
• Elixir based
Herbal Plants

-also called “medicinal plants”

-These are perennial plants of different

sizes, manner of growth and
propagation and with or w/o woody
tissue.
Roots and rhizomes
Leaves
Flowers
Bark materials and stems
Fruits and seeds
 ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF HERBAL
PLANTS
• 1. It contributes to the maintenance of
people’s health for a long time and continue
to be an important source of medicine in
today’s world.
• 2. It’s greatest contribution to humanity is
found on their healing and restoring
properties.
• 3.It provides the human body with organic
life-giving nutrients , vitamins and minerals.
• 4.It performs other highly specialized
functions like beautifying and landscape.
Providing us with shelter and clothing
• 5. It is use as natural source of pesticides and
fertilizers
 Why Herbal Meds?
• 1. Easy to find & available in our community
• 2. Affordable
• 3.No side effects if you use the correct herbal
meds
• 4.No overdose if you give the right dose
• 5.Easy to prepare
How to collect medicinal plants

1. Time-best collected during dry

season, in the morning, and not after a
rainy day

2. Part of the medicinal plants to

collect
- fruits and seeds: fully ripened
fruits and mature seeds are preferred
Roots and rhizomes:
October to February, it is when the
plants are more vigorously storing
food in the underground organs

Before the plant blooms

Leaves: before the plant blooms or about to
bloom

Bark materials and stems: dry season

and fully grown plants

Whole plant: when flowers are all in bloom

*Old and withering plants are less
effective when used as a source of
drugs or medicine.

* Dry as quickly as possible, away

from direct sunlight.
3. Habitat: Know the whereabouts
of the plants to facilitate the search
of the preferred plant.
Commonly used drying methods:

*Sun-drying:
Spread the herbs on a dry
place under the direct source of
sunlight until the materials turn
dry and brownish.
*Air-drying:
=shade-drying
-at room temperature by wind-
action
-free circulation of air
-floral and fruit materials
*Oven-drying:
= heat-drying method
-plants are placed in an oven
and dried under regulated heat of
not more than 40 degrees
Moisture content higher than 10%
usually leads to growth of
microorganisms and pest
infestation with consequent drug
deterioration.
How to store medicinal plants

1. Dirt and foreign substances should

be removed and washing should be
done quickly.

2. As a rule, all parts of the herbs or

medicinal plants should be dried as
soon as possible.
3. Place dried plants in a plastic
container or tightly covered bottles
- brown colored bottles are
preferred as they minimize
deterioration due to sunlight.
4. Dry charcoal (separated from
medicinal plant) may be placed inside
the bottle to absorb moisture.

5. Keep in a dry, well ventilated and

free of pests/insects that may invade
rampantly.

6. Store away from direct sunlight.

7. Label the container with name
of the plant, date of collection,
date of storage.

* Lasts for up to 6 mos.

Ten herbal plants approved by the DOH
Sambong
Lagundi
Akapulko
Niyug-niyogan
Tsaang-gubat
Bawang
Ampalaya
Bayabas
Yerba Buena
Ulasimang Bato
Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)
Classification: Diuretic
Uses :
• anti-urolithiasis
• anti-edema
• Decoction, 3 parts, 3 x a day
• Sambong is not a medicine for kidney
infection.
Lagundi (Vitex negundo)
“Five-leaved chaste tree”
Main uses:
Relieve cough and asthma
Preparation:
Decoction
Poultice
• Uses:
• fever
• dysentery
• colds and influenza;
• skin diseases (dermatitis, scabies, ulcer, eczema) and
insect bites
• Headache
• Rheumatism
• sprain
• contusions
• aromatic bath
Akapulko (Cassia Alata)
Bayabas-bayabasan
Ringworm bush
Anti-fungal
- dandruff, ringworm, athletes foot,
and scabies
Fresh, matured leaves are pounded.
Apply as soap.
Akapulko
Niyug-niyogan (Quisqualis Indica)
Chinese Honey Suckle
anti-helminthic
- taken 2 hours after supper
- Wait for 1 week before repeating the dose
* Not to be given with children below 4 years of age.

Adult - 8-10 seeds

7-12 y.o. – 6-7 seeds
6-8 y.o. – 5-6 seeds
4-5 y.o. – 4-5 seeds
Niyug-niyogan
Tsaang-gubat (carmona retusa)
Uses:
Diarrhea
-Divide decoction into 4 parts, & let pt.
drink 1 part every 4 hrs.
stomachache
Mouth wash
Bawang
Uses:
HPN
Lower blood cholesterol
-fried, toasted, soaked in vinegar for 30 min.,
blanched in boiled water for 5 minutes
Toothache
-pound a small piece & apply to affected part
Caution: take in a full stomach.
Ampalaya (Mamordica charantia)
• Lower blood sugar levels
• Diabetes Mellitus (mild non-insulin
dependent)
• Decoction
• Note: Young leaves may be blanched/steamed
and eaten (1/2 glassful) 2 times a day.
Bayabas/Guava
• For washing wounds – 2x a day
• Decoction
• Young leaves

For diarrhea 3-4 x a day

As mouthwash or gargle and to relieve
toothache
Yerba Buena (Mentha Cordefelia)
• For pain (headache, stomachache)
• Decoction
• Divide decoction into two parts,
drink, drink one part every 3 hours.
Rheumatism and arthritis
Sap with eucalyptus

Cough and colds

Tea
10 fresh leaves in a glass of hot water
Expectorant
Swollen gums
gargle
Toothache
Gargle salt solution
Sap placed in a cotton then insert in the
aching tooth
Menstrual and gas pain
Drink as infusion

Nausea and fainting

Crush leaves and apply at nostrils

Insect bites
Crush leaves and apply

Pruritus
Decoction
Ulasimang-bato
(Pepperonica pellucida)
Pansit-pansitan

Uses: Lowers uric acid

(Rheumatism and gouty arthritis)

Decoction
Salad
3x a day
Reminders 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 a
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 suggested
preparation.
• 5. Use only one kind of herbal plant for each
type of symptoms or sickness.
• 6. Stop giving the herbal medication in case
untoward reaction such as allergy occurs.
• 7. if signs and symptoms are not relieved after
2 to 3 doses of herbal medication, consult a
doctor.
Tips on Handling Medicinal Plants / Herbs:

● If possible, buy herbs that are grown

organically - without pesticides.

● Medicinal parts of plants are best harvested

on sunny mornings. Avoid picking leaves,
fruits or nuts during and after heavy rainfall.
● Medicinal parts of plants are best harvested
on sunny mornings. Avoid picking leaves, fruits
or nuts during and after heavy rainfall.
● After harvesting, if drying is required, it is
advisable to dry the plant parts either in the
oven or air-dried on screens above ground and
never on concrete floors.
● Store plant parts in sealed plastic bags or
brown bottles in a cool dry place without
sunlight preferably with a moisture absorbent
material like charcoal. Leaves and other plant
parts that are prepared properly, well-dried and
stored can be used up to six months.
• Tips on Preparation for Intake of Herbal
Medicines:

● Use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh

parts like leaves when using dried parts
● Do not use stainless steel utensils when
boiling decoctions. Only use earthen, enameled,
glass or alike utensils.

• As a rule of thumb, when boiling leaves and

other plant parts, do not cover the pot, and
boil in low flame.
● Decoctions loose potency after some time.
Dispose of decoctions after one day. To keep
fresh during the day, keep lukewarm in a flask or
thermos.
● Always consult with a doctor if symptoms
persist or if any sign of allergic reaction
develops.
Herbal medicine for decoction:
1. Lagundi
2. Akapulko
3.Sambong
4. Tsaang-gubat
5. Ulasimang-bato
6. Ampalaya
7. Yerba Buena
8. Bayabas
 Decoction
Materials:
clay pot
stove or “kalan”
wooden ladle
stainless strainer
chopping board
glass
knife
empty bottles preferably brown bottles
leaves for decoction
clean water
Wash leaves thoroughly and remove old withered
leaves.

Chop leaves.

Measure one glass of chop leaves and two glasses of

water. (1:2)

Place leaves and pour water in the clay pot, bring to a

boil at low heat or fire. Do not cover pot.

Reduce water to one glass through constant boiling.

Strain and let it cool before use.

Divide decoction into 3 parts.
AM-1/3 part
Noon- 1/3 part
PM- 1/3 part

Use decoction within 2 days.

Syrup:

In a low fire or heat, mix sugar with the decoction until

it melts. (1/2 to 1 cup)

Remove from heat and let it cool.

Place syrup in a clean, covered bottle and label.

Dosage:
adult: 2 tbsp. 3x a day
7-12 y.o.: 2 tsp. 3x a day
 Akapulko Ointment
Materials;
1 glass of chopped akapulko leaves
5-10 candles, chopped
1 glass cooking oil
wooden ladle
stainless strainer
plastic container or film canister
clay pot
stove/kalan
Procedure:
Heat oil in the clay pot.

Fry chop leaves until crispy or until brownish.

Strain or separate oil.(EXTRACT)

Put candle in the extract until candles melted.

Place or transfer mixture in the plastic container.

Air dry.

*Apply to affected areas 1-2x a day.

Guava Soap:
materials=
3 glasses of decoction
-3 glasses of chopped leaves and 6 glasses of water
5 glasses of extract
-5 glasses of chopped leaves and 5 glasses of oil
1 glass of caustic soda
glass for measuring
pail or plastic container
wooden ladle
molder or plastic cups
vinegar
clay pot
stove/burner/kalan
stainless strainer
Prepare or make a decoction.

Place decoction in the pail or plastic container.

Make an extract.

Mix the caustic soda slowly until melted.

Add the extract.

Stir continuously until sticky.

Transfer mixture in prepared molders.

Remove from molder after 24 hours.

Use soap after one month to allow the caustic

soda to evaporate or loss its skin irritating effect.