DIFFERENT

USES
OF
PLANTS

PLANTS
AS
MEDICINE
SOURCES

BANABA
Lagerstroemia speciosa

QUEEN'S FLOWER

Uses
LEAVES
- for bladder and kidney inflammation, dysuria (difficult/painful discharge of urine) and
other urinary dysfunctions or urinary tract infections
- for Type II diabetes (diabetes mellitus)
- for lowering blood pressure
- for hemorrhage
- for facilitating bowel movements
- for fevers
ROOTS
- for a variety of stomach ailments
BARK
- for diarrhea and facilitation of bowel movements
FLOWERS
- used to facilitate bowel movements
- for fevers and as diuretic
*All these are usually prepared through boiling in water or decoction.
Others
- also makes a useful timber tree (source of wood)

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

Halamang Gamot Book 1

MAYANA
Plectranthus scutellarioides

PAINTED NETTLE

Uses
LEAVES
- for headaches (pounded)
- for abdominal pain and gas pains (boiled)
- for healing bruises and sprains (crushed/pounded & applied as a poultice)
- taken internally for dyspepsia or indigestion (boiled in water)
- used as eyedrops for ophthalmia and conjunctivitis (boiled in water)
- for sinusitis (heat 10-12 fresh leaves over a fire & apply while still hot over the
forehead for the frontal sinuses or over the cheeks for the maxillary sinuses)
Reported use in Asian traditional medicine for asthma, angina, bronchitis, epilepsy, insomnia,
skin rashes and various digestive problems.
Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

Halamang Gamot Book 1

BAYABAS
Psidium guajava
GUAVA

Uses
LEAVES
- used as disinfectant/cleanser/antiseptic to treat wounds, cuts and skin ulcers
(boiled/decocted)
- fresh leaves may be applied to the wound directly for faster healing as popularly used
for circumcision wounds
- used as a mouth wash to treat gum infection and tooth decay (boiled/decocted)
- for toothaches, chew fresh leaves in your mouth
- used to treat diarrhea (boiled)
- for stopping nosebleed (densely roll them then place in the nostril cavities)
- warm decoction of leaves as vaginal wash (after childbirth) or douche
BARK
- for chronic diarrhea (boiled)
FRUIT
- soaked in water for cure of diabetes
Others
Leaf extract used in skin whitening products.
Wood is suitable for carpentry, turnery, fuel or charcoal.
A favorite rural use for tool handles.

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

Halamang Gamot Book 1

ABUKADO
Persea Americana
AVOCADO

Uses
LEAVES
- for inflamed gums
- for nervousness
- promote menstruation
- for abdominal pain
- for headache
- for rheumatism
PULP
- thought to promote menstruation
- used to hasten the suppuration of wounds and prevents infection
- considered aphrodisiac and emmenagogue
SEEDS
- used as gargles for toothaches (pulverized and decocted/boiled)
- also, a piece of the seed placed in the cavity of the tooth to relieve toothaches
- for rheumatism and neuralgia (pulverized seeds mixed with oil)
BARK
- promote menstruation
- for rheumatism and neuralgia (pulverized and mixed with oil)
FRUIT
- flesh of fruit soothes sunburn
Others
Ink: Juice from seeds yields a milky juice which turns red on exposure; used to make
permanent ink for fabric lettering
-

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

Halamang Gamot Book 1

SUGANDA
Origanum vulgare
OREGANO
-

Uses
LEAVES
for curing measles
for cold relief (decocted/boiled)
for chronic coughs, bronchitis and asthma (juiced/extracted concentrate)
for epilepsy and convulsive disorders (juiced)
infusion prepared from these for cure of ear aches (otalgia)
relieves painful swellings, boils and sprains when their poultices are applied directly to
the affected area (pounded/crushed & applied as a poultice)
relieves rheumatism, osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis (boiled/decocted)
treats bladder & urinary tract problems and vaginal discharges
relief for dyspepsia or indigestion, upset stomachs and diarrhea
for wounds, insect bites & stings
for sore throat (boiled/decocted)
macerated fresh leaves applied externally to burns
Others
Fresh leaves rubbed on clothing or hair at the time of bathing for its scent.

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com
www.philippineherbalmedicine.org

Halamang Gamot Book 1

MAIS
Zea mays
CORN

Uses
HAIR/CORN SILK
for curing urinary tract infection (UTI) (boiled/decocted)
for kidney stones (infused/boiled)
for fluid retention and jaundice in China
for genitourinary diseases in Europe, French Guinea, India, Spain and Greece
PITH OF COB
for stomach complaints
ROOTS, LEAVES & CORN SILK
for dysuria, bladder complaints and bed-wetting (decocted/boiled)
good emollient poultice used for ulcers, rheumatic pains and swellings
Parched CORN
for nausea and vomiting of many diseases (burned/roasted and teaken as tea)
Others
The embryo is rich in oil and used widely for cooking, manufacture of soaps.
Sticky gum containing dextrin used for sealing envelops and gummed labels.
Corn syrup is used in the manufacture of jams, jellies and other sweets.
Corn starch is well known for its many uses.
Glue made from the start in the seed.
Cobs used to supply potash and by distillation can yield acetic acid and acetone.
Starch used in cosmetics.
Stem fiber used in making paper.
Corn spathe used for making straw hats and baskets.

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

KALAMANSI
Citrus microcarpa
CALAMANSI

Uses
- FRUIT
- for cough, colds and sore throat (warm calamansi-ade)
- for Acne vulgaris and Pruritis vulvae (juiced)
- for itching and stimulation of hair growth (crushed with bark of Entada phaseoloides)
- an antidote for poison in Malaysia
- expels phlegm when combined with pepper in Malaya
- RIND of FRUIT
for nausea and fainting (squeezing rind near nostril to inhale)
LEAVES
-

for lowering hypertension (decocted/boiled in water)

Others
Bleaching agent: Cut fruit and apply directly on freckles.
Stain Remover /Shampoo: Juice is used to remove ink stains from clothes and washing
women's hair. Also used for bleaching freckles.

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

- BAWANG
Allium sativum
- GARLIC

Uses
BULB
for toothache and blood preassure
lowers bad cholesterol levels (LDL)
aids in lowering blood
pressure/hypertension
for arteriosclerosis
for prevention of certain types of cancer

for fever (decocted/boiled in

water)
for menstrual cramps
for digestive problems and
gastrointestinal spasms

boosts immune system to fight infection

for cough and colds, hoarseness, asthma and bronchitis (crushed and juiced)
for sore throat (peeled, chewed and juice swallowed)
for treatment of tuberculosis
for tonsillitis (decocted/boiled in water)
for relief of headache, rheumatism and arthritis pain (crushed then applied)
for toothaches (crushed then bitten)
for curing skin fungus i.e. athletes foot (juiced)
for disinfecting wound (crushed and juiced)
for insect bites (crushed/cut crosswise then rub into it)
for nasal congestion (chopped, mixed with vinegar & water then steamed and inhaled)
LEAVES
for fever (decocted/boiled in water)

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com
www.philippineherbalmedicine.org

KAROT
Daucus carota
CARROT

Uses
ROOT CROP
for clear vision
for burns, carbuncles and infected ulcers/wounds (grated then applied as poultice)
for cancer
for kidney problems
ROOTS

for coughs and chest afflictions (boiled in milk then drunk & pounded then applied to
chest)
for burns and scalds (made into ointment with lard)
SEEDS
for colic
increases urine flow (ground into powder and taken as tea)
BLOSSOMS
for treatment of dropsy (made into tea)

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com
www.philippineherbalmedicine.org

- GUMAMELA
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
CHINA ROSE
-

Uses
FLOWERS
for boils, swelling & abscesses, mumps (softened, beatened and applied as poultice)
for coughs, sore throat and bronchitis - as an expectorant (decocted/boiled in water)
for fever - as refrigerant drink (decocted/boiled in water)
treats dysentery (decocted/boiled in water)
for urinary tract infection (UTI) and bladder infections (decocted/boiled in water)

for high blood pressure (decocted/boiled in water)

for prevention of constipation (decocted/boiled in water)
for headaches (softened, beatened and applied as poultice)
as natural diuretic (decocted)
for paralysis and dysmenorrhea by the Chinese
for gonorrhoea (infused after being exposed all night to dew)
ROOTS
for coughs (decocted/boiled in
- for sore eyes (decocted and
water)
administered in drops)
as natural diuretic (decocted/boiled
in water)
BARK
an emmenagogue
- for normalization of menstruation
SEEDS
as stimulant
- for cramps

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com
www.philippineherbalmedicine.org

PLANTS
AS
Building
materials and
fuels

- NARRA
Pterocarpus indicus
- ROSEWOOD
-

Narra is our countrys national tree with a majestic reddish hard wood growing to 33
m high and 2 m wide with an irregular fluted trunk. Leaves are compounded, pinnated, 15 to
30 cm in length, with 7 to 11 leaflets in an oblong-ovate. It has numerous, yellow, fragrant,
1.5 cm length, on branched, axillary panicles. Pods are flat disc-shaped, flat with winged
margins, hairy when young but smooth or nearly so when mature, more or less reticulate and
undulate, and very shortly beaked, orbicular to obovate, including the wing 4 to 5.5 cm long,
and the wing 1 to 1.5 cm wide.
Properties
- noted for its hardiness and rapid growth
- termite resistant and rose-scented
- grows well in bottom lands, wind-firm and less susceptible to disease and pests
- nitrogen-fixing
Uses
TIMBER
- a much sought-after wood for its durability
- use in plywoods, floorings, construction, cabinetry, furniture making, decorative
carvings and musical instruments
- preferred wood for boatbuilding due to its resistance to seawater
Others

- source of red dye, narrin

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

www.wikipedia.org

Luaun or Philippine Mahogany

Luaun or as it is sometimes called, Philippine Mahogany, is a thin quasiplywood consisting of two outside veneers and a wood core. Luaun is a
lightweight and thin. It is also cheaper than other thin plywood making it an
ideal material for covering large areas cheaply. Luaun comes in and 1/8
thicknesses which means that it is a non-loading bearing material.

MOLAVE

- Vitex parviflora
SMALL-FLOWER CHASTE TREE
-

Molave is a medium size tree which grows from 8m to 15m with inflorescences that
may be slightly hairy. Leaves are compounded with 3 leaflets, stalked, ovate to lanceolate, 7
to 18 cm in length, pointed at the tip, shining and quite smooth. Flowers are bluish,
numerous, in clusters at the end of small branches. The fruits are round, dark blue, 5 to 6 mm
in size.
Properties
- known for its extremely hard wood
- resistant to fungal, termite, and lyctus beetle attack, but not to marine borers
Uses
TIMBER
- used like teak for shipbuilding and construction in contact with the ground
- used in the form of round logs or posts, sliced lumber and driftwood to intact live
plants

used in railroad ties, ship-building, wagon-making, bridges, cabinet, carabao yokes,

cog-wheels, inserted cogs, saltwater piles, plane stocks, sugar mills, sculpture, and
carving wooden tools, tool handles, novelties, agricultural implements, and high-grade
construction where strength and durability are required
a source of firewood as fuel
Others
Leaves used as fodder for livestocks
Resin: Exudes a yellow resin when the wood is treated with lime.
Tannin / Dyestuff: Shavings soaked in water yields a yellow extract.

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

www.rafi.org.ph

www.cropsreview.com

YEW TREE
Taxus baccata
-

Yew tree is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree, growing 3366 ft. and
exceptionally up to 92 ft. tall, with a trunk up to 6 ft. 7 in. and exceptionally at 13 ft,
diameter. Its bark is thin, scaly brown, coming off in small flakes aligned with the stem. The
leaves are flat, dark green, 14 cm in length and 23 mm broad arranged spirally on the stem,
but with the leaf bases twisted to align the leaves in two flat rows either side of the stem and
are poisonous.
-

Properties
has a closed-pore softwood, similar to cedar and pine
has a colorful wood - red heartwood, white sapwood
unique specie that is easy to work with and is among the hardest of the softwoods
possesses a remarkable elasticity, making it ideal for products needing springiness and
flexibility

has tight, fine grain and smooth texture give its products a lustrous finish
resistant to most insect attack
Uses
TIMBER/WOOD
ideal for archery bows and was used for longbow making in English medieval warfare
for making shuttles, cogs, axle-trees, and pulley-pins
used for veneer, furniture, cabinetry, carvings, lutes (musical instruments), turned
objects, bowls, tankards, combs, tool handles, pegs, and various art objects
was used in many ways by various religions such as in drinking-cups which are still
regarded as having a certain spiritual potency

Sources
www.en.wikipedia.org
eire.com

www.wood-database.com

www.shee-

TEAK
Tectona Grandis
-

Teak is one of the world's best timbers. It has a beautiful dark

brown or reddish brown wood without a lot of grain patterns that produces a natural oil,
protecting it from harsh environments and drying.
Properties
- especially well-suited for outdoor use
- hard, durable and heavy wood with good elasticity due to its high content of oil
- has a high oil content making it very weather, moisture, decay, bacteria and insect
infestation resistant
- very resistant to water borne pests like saltwater clams, which bore into and destroy
wooden structures that are immersed in sea water
Uses

TIMBER/WOOD
ideal for outdoor (garden) furniture, boat decks, ships and bridges
for making veneer, doors, furniture, cabinet, Venetian blinds and various kitchen
accessories
perfect for flooring because it can take a lot of wear and tear
for making gift items and souvenirs

Others
Both the root, bark and the young leaves of teak produce a
yellowish-brown or reddish dye used to produce paper, clothes and matting.
Also used for shade and ornamentation on roadsides.
-

www.treesonfarms.com
www.ehow.com

Sources

www.wood-finishes-direct.com
www.idewood.com

www.teakfurniture.co.ke

NIYOG
Cocos nucifera
COCONUT TREE
-

Coconut is an unarmed, erect, tall palm reaching a height of 25m. Trunk is stout, 30cm
to 50 cm in diameter, thickened at the base; marked with annular scars. Leaves are crowded
at the apex of the trunk. Leaflets are numerous bright green linear-lanceolate. Spadix is
about 1m long, erect, drooping, straw-colored, simply branched. Male flowers are smaller
than female flowers are much larger. Fruit varies in size, shape and color. Endosperm forms a
thick white layer of fleshy fibrous substance adherent to the stony-black shell covered by a
fibrous husk. Its trunks give us Coco Lumber or Coco Wood or Coco Timber.
Properties
- strong and durable
-

Uses
TRUNK/TIMBER
- harder, high-density coco timber - for general structural purposes such as pillars,
trusses, rafting, furniture, window and door frames, floors, decking and floor joists
- medium-density coco timber - for walls, ceiling joists and horizontal studs
- low-density coco timber for wood panelling, internal trim and ceilings, as well as
homewares small bowls, cutting boards etc
for building a boat or a raft for anyone stuck on an island
Sources
-

www.stuartxchange.com
www.scribol.com

www.wikipedia.org
www.idewood.com

IPIL-IPIL
Leucaena glauca
LEAD TREE

Ipil-ipil is a small tree growing up 8m high. Leaves are compounded in 15 to 25 cm

length, with hairy rachis. Pinnae are 8 to 16 cm, and 5 to 8 cm long. Leaflets are 20 to
30, linear oblong, and 7 to 12 mm long. Heads are solitary, at the axils of the leaves
with many flowers. Flowers are whitish, dense globule heads, 2 to 3 cm in diameter.
Fruit is an oblong or linear pod, strap-shaped, 12 to 18 cm long, 1.4 to 2 cm wide,
papery, green turning to brown and splitting open along two edges when mature, and
several fruits developing from each flower head. Each pod contains 15 to 25 elliptic,
compressed, shining, brown seeds.
Properties
wood burns without giving off much smoke and does not spark
produces very good charcoal

Uses
TIMBER
for mine props and for parquet flooring and furniture
for reforestation work
for carving
for firewood
a source of paper and used in the production of rayon
Others
Cover crop: Also much used as a cover crop and exterminator of kogon.
Dye: Produces a brown dye.
Seed Gum: Used as binder in tablet formulation.
Pulp: Used in paper and rayon industries.

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

www.herbs-treatand taste.blogspot.com

- BAKAWAN
- Rhizophora mangal
- MANGROVE TREE
-

Mangrove is a tree, shrub, palm or ground fern, generally exceeding one half meter in
height and normally grows above mean sea level in the intertidal zone of marine coastal
environments and estuarine margins. Mangroves are the backbone of tropical and sub-tropical
ocean coastlines. These plants with finger-like roots protect coastal wetlands against the
ocean; provide protection from typhoons, storm surges, erosion and deadly flooding like
tsunamis; and serve as fish habitats.
Properties
- good source of fuels for it burns longer and produces less smoke

Uses
TRUNK
sources of fuels for big events
only Bakau minyak (Rhizophora apiculata) is used for making charcoal
some of its species are used for underwater construction or piling
BARK
gives tannins

Source
www.en.wikipedia.org

www.mangrovewatch.org.au

PLANTS
AS
Clothing
materials

COTTON
Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense
Gossypium arboretum, Gossypium herbaceum

Cotton plant is a leafy, green shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around
the world reaching about 1.2 m in height. This plant has many branches with one main central
stem. Its leaves are broad and heart shaped with coarse veins and 3-5 lobes. It briefly
produces cream and pink flowers that once pollinated are replaced by fruit, better known as
cotton bolls. Each cotton boll usually contains 27-45 seeds with 10,000 to 20,000 tiny fibers
about 28mm in length attached to them. It prefers hot summers with low humidity and long
hours of sunshine.

Properties
its fiber is made from cellulose
has a thin coating of wax and is thin and hollow like a straw
has soft, fluffy staple fibers
Uses
FIBER
processed into yarn for crochet and knitting and thread
used to make a soft, breathable textile and fabric such as:
denim - blue jeans
terrycloth - highly absorbent bath towels and robes
cambric - popularly used for blue work shirts
corduroy, seersucker and cotton twill
for making socks, underwear, most T-shirts, bed sheets etc
its linters (short cotton fibers) are made into cotton balls
also used in making fishing nets, coffee filters, tents, cotton paper and in bookbinding
Others
The seeds can be crushed for cottonseed oil or animal feed.
Sources
www.cottonaustralia.com.au

www.en.wikipedia.org

- RAMIE
Boehmeria nivea
- CHINA GRASS
-

Ramie Fiber

Ramie is an erect, branched, Monoecious, flowering, perennial shrub, 1m to 2m high,

with a single cylindrical stem, and hairy branches and petioles. Leaves are long-petioled,
alternate, broadly ovate, 10 - 18.5 cm long and 6 - 14 cm wide. Flowers are small and
clustered, arranged in axillary panicles shorter than the petioles; unisexual and apetalous.
Staminate (male) flowers have 4 calyx lobes which are green in color.
Properties
- one of the strongest natural fibers exhibiting even greater strength when wet
- known especially for its ability to hold shape, reduce wrinkling, and introduce a silky
luster to the fabric appearance
- similar to linen in absorbency, density and microscopic appearance
- unfortunately, it is stiff and brittle and will break if folded repeatedly in the same
place, lacks resiliency and is low in elasticity and elongation potential
Uses
FIBER
- a constituent fiber of fabric with cotton, wool or silk
- for making strings, blankets, and cloth in our country
- had limited acceptance for textile use because its extraction and cleaning are
expensive
- for making industrial sewing thread, packing materials, fishing nets and filter cloths
- also made into fabrics for household furnishings (upholstery, canvas) and clothing
*One of the oldest textile fibers used in mummy cloths in Egypt around 5000-3300 BC.
Others

Likewise used as an ornamental plant in eastern Asia.

Shorter fibers and waste are used for production of papers, bank notes and cigarette
papers.
Ramie ribbon is used in fine bookbinding as a substitute for traditional linen tape.
-

Sources
www.stuartxchange.com

www.en.wikipedia.org

JUSI

Jusi (from the Chinese for silk) is a fine, soft, sheer transparent fabric woven from
silk, pia (pineapple), banana, abaca or organza (imported silk) threads which originated
during the Spanish colonial period. It was also made from abaca or banana silk and was
replaced by imported silk organza.
-

PIA-

BANANA-

ORGANZA-

ABACAPia-jusi has sheer and strength and is less expensive than pia cloth. Blending the
sheerness of pineapple fibers and the strength of jusi fiber produces a durable fabric for
equal formal need for particular affairs.
-

Sources
www.en.wikipilipinas.org

www.news.yahoo.com

PIA
Ananas comosus
PINEAPPLE

Hand-scraped Pia

Pia Fiber

Woven Pia Cloth

The leaves of the red Spanish variety of pineapple grown in the provinces of Aklan,
Palawan and Camarines Norte of Bicol Region is the source of filmy pia fiber that became
one of our important fabric materials. In 1862, a handkerchief made from fine pia cloth was
presented as a wedding gift to Queen Alexandra on her marriage to Edward VII. Its replica can
be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Properties
- pia cloth is the finest of all Philippine hand-woven fabrics
- has an ivory-white color and is naturally glossy
- a delicate and dreamy cloth that is translucent, soft and fine with a high luster
Uses
FIBER
- often blended with other ingenious materials like cotton, abaca, silk (pia-silk or
pia-seda) or jusi (pia-jusi) to produce a wonderful gentle, light breezy fabrics
- for novelty items and were considered desirable gifts for royalty

handwoven fabrics are colored with vegetable dyes originating from leaves, and bark
of different trees

Sources
www.philippines.knoji.com

www.8list.ph

LINEN

Linen is a textile made from the natural bast fibers of the flax plant, Linum
usitatissimum. Linen can be hand washed and dry clean only. It presses nicely to a firm and
tender fabric. Flax fibers vary in length from about 25 to 150 mm (1 to 6 in) and average 1216 micrometers in diameter. There are two varieties: shorter tow fibers used for coarser
fabrics and longer line fibers used for finer fabrics.
Properties
- comfortable and cool to the touch
- smooth, making the finished fabric lint-free, and gets softer the more it is washed
- has poor elasticity, thats why it wrinkles so easily but is resistant to abrasion
- has a high natural luster with colors ranging between shades of ivory, ecru, tan or grey
- very durable and strong and one of the few that are stronger wet than dry
Uses
FIBER
- has a nice easy shape and feel making it a popular choice for clothing
- for bed (bed linens, bed sheets and bath fabrics towels (swimming, bath, beach, body
and wash towels)
- for home and commercial furnishing items (aprons, napkins, tablecloths, dish towels,
runners, curtains, wallpaper/wall coverings, upholstery/chair covers)
- for apparel items (men's and women's wear - suits, dresses, skirts, shirts)
- for industrial products (bags, luggage, canvases, sewing thread)
-

Source
www.philippines.knoji.com

ABAKA
Musa textilis
ABACA
-

Abaca is a species of banana plant native to the Philippines which grows in the country
for centuries and is cautiously woven into make sinamay fabric. The plant, also known as
Manila hemp is harvested for its fiber extracted from the leaf-stems. The plant grows to 13
22 feet and averages about 12 feet. The fabric gained worldwide popularity as Manila hemppreferred rope by sailors including the US Navy.
Properties
- classified as a hard fiber, along with coir, henequin and sisal
Uses
FIBER
- woven into sinamay fabric
- inner fibers are used in the making of hats, including the "Manila hats," hammocks,
matting, cordage, ropes, coarse twines, and types of canvas
- widely used to manufacture novelty goods, home furnishing, variety of raw specialty
paper and its products including tea bags, filter paper, mimeograph mats and
banknotes
- used to make handcrafts like bags, carpets, clothing and furniture
- Lupis is the finest quality of abaca
- Today, it is being used for soft applications in the automotive industry as a filling
material for bolster and interior trim parts
-

Sources

www.en.wikipedia.org

www.fao.org

HEMP
-

Hemp Stem showing its Fibers

Hemp is one of the oldest crops improved by man with its history of thousands of
years. It is a high-growing variety of the Cannabis plant.
Properties
- one of the strongest natural fibers in the world
Uses
FIBER from its STEM
- for making rope, sail canvas

used for industrial purposes including pulp, paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable
plastics, construction (as with Hempcrete and insulation), hemp seed foods, body
products, health food, hemp oil and bio-fuel
Others
Its seed contains highly nutritional oil used as lamp oil and in making soap and paint.

Sources
www.hempflax.com

www.en.wikipedia.com

- FLAX
Linum usitatissimum
-

Flax is also known as common flax or linseed. It is a food and fiber crop that is grown
in cooler regions of the world. Some are perennial plants others are annual plants. It
grows to 1.2 m in height with slender stems. Its leaves are glaucous green, slender
lanceolate, 2040 mm x 3 mm (length x width). Its flowers are pure pale blue, 1525
mm in diameter,with five petals. Its fruit is a round, dry capsule 59mm in diameter
with several glossy brown seeds shaped like an apple pip.

Properties
its fibers are 2 to 3 times as strong as those of cotton but is less elastic
has naturally smooth, soft, lustrous, flexible and straight fibers
Uses
FIBERS from its STEM
best grades are used to make linen fabrics such as damasks, lace and sheeting
coarser grades are used for the manufacturing of twine and rope,and historically for
canvas and webbing equipment

Others
It is grown for its oil, an ingredient in many wood-finishing products.
Also used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Likewise used in the high-quality paper industry - printed banknotes, rolling paper for
cigarettes and tea bags.
-

Sources
www.en.wikipedia.org

SALUYOT
Corchorus capsularis
WHITE JUTE
-

Corchorus olitorius
TOSSA JUTE

Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads.
-

Properties
the most affordable natural fiber
second to cotton in amount produced and variety of uses of vegetable fibers
called golden fiber for its color and high cash value
composed of cellulose (vegetable fiber content) and lignin (wood fiber content)

color is off-white to brown and is 14m in length

has soft fabric structure making it very comfortable to wear
strong, durable, colorful and light-fast fiber
has UV protection, sound and heat insulation, low thermal conduction and anti-static
properties perfect in home decor
carbon-dioxide neutral and naturally decomposable making them high performance
technical textiles
can be grown in 46 months with a huge amount of cellulose being produced from the
jute hurd (inner woody core or parenchyma of the jute stem) meeting most of the
wood needs of the world
most environment-friendly fiber starting from the seed to expired fiber
Uses
FIBER from its BAST/SKIN/ BARK and STEM
chiefly for making cloth for wrapping bales of raw cotton
used to make burlap, Hessian or gunny cloth, coffee sacks, cloth (sweaters,
underwear), curtains, chair coverings, carpets, area rugs and backing for linoleum
for making matting to prevent flood erosion in establishing natural vegetation
used alone or blended with other types of fiber to make twine and rope
very fine threads of jute can be separated out and made into imitation silk
for making ghillie suits that are used as camouflage and resemble grasses or brush
for manufacturing geotextiles used for soil erosion control, seed protection, weed
control, and many other agricultural and landscaping uses
Others
Also being used to make pulp and paper.
Sources
www.en.wikipedia.org

KAPOK
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Kapok is the most used common name for the tree with cotton-like fluff obtained from
its seed pods. The tree is cultivated for its seed fiber in South-East Asia, and is also known as
the Java cotton, Java kapok, silk-cotton, Samauma or ceiba.The tree grows to 230 ft. with a
trunk up to 10 ft. diameter with buttresses with branches that are often crowded with large
simple thorns. The palmate leaves are composed of 5 to 9 leaflets, each up to 8 in long. The
trees produce several hundred 6 in pods containing seeds surrounded by a fluffy, yellowish
fiber that is a mix of lignin and cellulose
Properties
- its fiber is light, very buoyant, resilient, resistant to water, but it is very flammable
- harvesting and separating its fiber is labor-intensive and manual

fiber is difficult to spin

Uses
used as an alternative filling in mattresses, pillows, upholstery, zafus and stuffed toys
(like teddy bears)
also used for insulation
previously much used in life jackets and similar devices
Others
The flowers are an important source of nectar and pollen for honey bees.
The seeds produce an oil, used locally in soap and that can be used as fertilizer.

Sources
www.en.wikipedia.org