10 HERBAL

MEDICINES
APPROVED BY
THE DOH
(DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH)
 Background: Blumeae balsamifera
(Sambong) is an ancient medicinal herb with
a rich constituents of essential oils and
widely used in the Philippines for a long
period of time before the introduction of

SAMBONG
modern medicine for the treatment of
septic wounds and other infections.

Uses: Anti-edema, Diuretic,

Anti-urothiasis, athritis,
colad and cough

Preparation: Boil chopped leaves in water

for 15 minutes until one glassful remains.
Cool and strain it. Divide decoction into 3
parts. Drink one part 3 times a day.
AKAPULKO Background: Senna alata or also known as
Akapulko in the Philippines is an important
medicinal tree, as well as an ornamental
flowering plant in the subfamily
Caesalpinioideae. It also known as emperor's
candlesticks, candle bush, candelabra bush,
Christmas candles, empress candle plant,
ringworm shrub, or candletree.

Uses: Ringworm, Anti-fungal:Tinea Flava,

Athlete's foot and scabies

Preparation: Pound enough fresh leaves;

express (squeeze out) the juice and apply on
the affected skin morning and evening.
Improvement should be noticed after 2 - 3
weeks of treatment.
LAGUNDI
Background: Lagundi (Vitex negundo) is a large
native shrub that grows in Asia and Southeast
Asia such as the Philippines and India and has
been traditionally used as herbal medicine and is
an important medicinal plant in Ayurvedic and
Unani systems of medicine.

Uses: Among the medicinal uses of lagundi are to

stop coughing, relieve asthma, facilitate the
discharge of phlegm and to lower fever due to
colds or flu. It is also a pain reliever for headache
and toothache.

Preparation: Clean fresh lagundi leaves and chop.

In 4 glasses of water, boil 4 tablespoons of
minced lagundi leaves for 15 minutes. Strain the
liquid extract and add 1 part honey to 4 parts
extracts. Boil in an earthen pot or enamel-lined
saucepan for 15 minutes until the desired
viscosity is attained; cool.
 Background : Yerba buena or hierba
buena is the Spanish name for a number
of aromatic plants, most of which belong
to the mint family. Yerba buena
translates as "good herb". The specific
plant species regarded as yerba buena
varies from region to region, depending
on what grows wild in the surrounding
landscape, or which species is customarily
grown in local gardens.

Uses: Asthma, Antioxidant, Anti-

Allergy, Coughs and Colds

Preparation: Crush Yerba buena leaves

into pieces .Boil the dried
Yerba buena leaves in water. 2
tablespoon of dried
Yerba buena leaves to one
cup water. Let it seep for 30
minutes, strain the leaves.
Take the Yerba buena
herbal tea for 4 to 6 times
daily.

YERBA BUENA
AANG GUBAT
Background: Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa)
also called Philippine Tea is a shrub that grows
wild in the tropical climate of India, Sri Lanka
and Philippines. It is also cultivated as
ornamental plant as single plant or hedge,
recently gaining popularity as bonsai in China
and Japan.

Preparation: Pound or cut about half cup of

Tsaang gubat leaves. Then add in 2 cups of
water for boil for 10 to 15 minutes, with open
pot cover. Let it steep and strain. Store in a
glass jar. Consume within the day.

Uses: Allergy,colic, cough, diarrhea, diabetes,

dysentery, eczema, gastroenteritis, itching,
inflammation, scabies, skin diseases,
stomach problems, teething problems and
wounds
BAYABAS
BACKGROUND: Guava (bayabas)
is a common tropical fruit
cultivated in many tropical and subtropical
regions. Psidium guajava (common guava,
lemon guava) is a small tree in the myrtle
family (Myrtaceae), native to Mexico,
Central America, the Caribbean and
northern South America.

USES: The leaves have antibacterial and

antiallergy properties that perfect to
apply on wounds. Help Lower Blood Sugar
Levels, Boost Heart Health, Help Relieve
Painful Symptoms of Menstruation, Have
an Anticancer Effect, Help Boost Your
Immunity and many more.

PREPARATION: Washed the leaves

throughly and apply it to the wound.
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.
NIYOG-NIYOGAN BACKGROUND: Rangoon creeper (niyog
niyogan) is found in thickets or secondary
forests of the Philippines, India, Pakistan and
Malaysia. The Rangoon creeper is a ligneous vine
that can reach from 2.5 meters to up to 8
meters. The leaves are elliptical with an
acuminate tip and a rounded base.

USES: A medicine that eliminates intestinal

parasites. It also contains deworming
properties. It is also popular in healing ulcers,
headaches, diarrhea, fever and painful urination
and some even claim it to be anticancer.

PREPARATION: To expel these parasites, the

seeds of the Niyog-niyogan are dried and taken
through the mouth, with a recommended
dosage of around 4 to 7 dried seeds for
children, and around 8 dried seeds for adults.
ULASIMANG BATO
BACKGROUND: Peperomia pellucida
(also known by common names pansit-
pansitan, ulasimang bato) is an annual,
shallow-rooted herb, usually growing
to a height of about 15 to 45 cm (6
to 18 inches), it is characterized by
succulent stems, shiny, heart-shaped,
fleshy leaves and tiny, dot-like seeds
attached to several fruiting spikes.

USES: This herbal plant is powerful in

treating arthritis and gout. The
folklore also believes that it can be a
medicine for eye inflammation, high
blood pressure and kidney problems.

PREPARATION: When it comes to

Ulasimang Bato herbal medicine
preparation, you can either consume it
raw, steeped like a tea, or as a
poultice.
 AMPALAYA
BACKGROUND: Bitter gourd
(ampalaya), with the scientific name
of Momordica charantia, is a tropical
and subtropical vine. It is often grown
in the Carribean, the Amazon, and
Southeast Asia.

USES: It might have a bitter taste

but it is endorsed by the DOH
because of its healing power on
diabetes, hemorrhoids, coughs, burns
and scalds.

PREPARATION: you can prepare tea

by boiling the leaves.
BACKGROUND - Garlic is a cooking staple,
belonging to the genus “allium,” and is closely
associated with onions, scallions, and chives. In
BAWANG
the Philippines, we know garlic as “bawang.”
Bawang has this distinct smell that is perfect
for most Filipino and Asian dishes, since it can
easily sweeten or mellow down the taste of a
dish. Aside from cooking, bawang uses and
benefits include treatment and prevention of
various health conditions and illnesses.

USES - Bawang is primarily used for conditions

related to the heart and circulatory system.
Some of the notable conditions include the
following:
Atherosclerosis, Heart attack, High cholesterol,
Hypertension, Coronary heart disease

PREPARATION - Can be fried, roasted, soaked

in vinegar for 30 minutes or blanched in boiled
water for 5 minutes. Take 2 pieces three times
a day after meals.