Ten (10) Herbal Medicines in the Philippines

Approved by the Department of Health (DOH)

These are the list of the ten (10) medicinal plants that the Philippine Department
of Health (DOH) through its "Traditional Health Program" has endorsed. All ten
(10) herbs have been thoroughly tested and have been clinically proven to have
medicinal value in the relief and treatment of various aliments:

LAGUNDI (Vitex Negundo)

A shrub known in English as the “5-leaved chase tree” which grows wild in vacant lots and waste
land. The flowers are blue and bell-shaped and small fruits turn black when ripe. It is better to
collect the leaves where are in bloom. Matured branches are planted.

Parts utilized: leaves, flower.

Uses:

Asthma, cough and fever- boil the chopped raw fruits or leaves in 2 glasses of water left for 15
minutes until the water left in only one glass. Strain. The following dosages of the decoction are
given to age group.

Dysentery, colds and pain in any part of the body as influenza – boil a handful of leaves and
flowers in water to produce a glass full of decoction 3 times a day.

Skin Diseases (dermatitis, scabies, ulcer, eczema) and wounds – prepare a decoction of the
leaves. Wash and clean the skin/ wound with the decoction.

Headache- crushed leaves may be applied on the forehead.

Rheumatism, sprain, contusion insect bites- pound the leaves and apply on affected part.

Aromatic bath for sick patients - prepare leaf decoction for use in sick and newly delivered
patients.

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

A small multi- branching aromatic herb commonly known as Peppermint. The leaves are small,
elliptical ands with soothed margin. The stem creeps to ground, and develops roots. May also be
propagated through cuttings.

Parts utilized: leaves, sap of plant

Uses:

For pain in different parts of the body as headache, stomach ache – boil chopped leaves in two
glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain.

Divide decoction into two parts and drink one part every three hours.
Rheumatism, arthritis and headache – crush the fresh leaves squeeze sap. Massage sap on
painful parts with eucalyptus.

Cough and colds – get about 10 fresh leaves and soak in a glass of hot water. Drink as tea. Acts
as an expectorant.

Swollen Gums – steep 6 grams of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use
solution as gargle.

Toothache – cut fresh plant and squeeze sap. Soak a piece of 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 grams of table salt to one glass of water.

Menstrual and gas pain – soak a handful of leaves in a glass of boiling water. Drink infusion. It
induces menstrual flow and sweating.

Nausea and fainting – crush leaves and apply at nostrils of patients.

Insect bites – crush leaves and apply juice on affected part or pound leaves until paste-like.
Then rub this on affected part.

Pruritis- boil plant alone or with eucalyptus in water. Use decoction as wash on affected area.

Sambong ( Blumea Balsamifera)

English name: Blumea camphora
A plant that reaches 1.5 to 3 meters high with rough hairy leaves. Young plants around mother
plant may be separated when they have three or more leaves.

Parts utilized: leaves

Uses:

Anti- edema, diuretic, anti- urolithiasis -boil chopped leaves in water for 15 minutes until one
glassful remains. Cool and strain.

Divide decoction into 3 parts. Drink one part 3 times a day.

Remember that sambong is not a medicine for kidney infection.

Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa)

A shrub with small, shiny nice- looking leaves that grows in wild uncultivated areas and forests.
Mature stems are used for planting.

Parts utilized: leaves

Uses:

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.
Stomachache- wash leaves and chop. Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water for 15 minutes.
Cool and filter, strain and drink.

Niyug- Niyugan (Quisqualis Indica L.)

A vine known as “Chinese honey suckle” which bears tiny fruits and grows wild in backyards. It is
effective for the elimination of intestinal worms. The seeds must come from mature. Dried but
newly opened fruits. Propagated through stem cuttings about 20cm in height.

Parts utilized: seeds

Uses:

An anti- helmintic- used to expel round worms ascariasis. The seeds are taken 2 hours after
supper. If no worms are expelled, the dose may be repeated after one week.

This is not to be given to children below four years old.

Special precautions: Follow recommended dosage. Overdose causes hiccups.

Bayabas / Guava (Psidium Guajava L.)

A tree about 4- 5 meters high with tiny flowers with round or oval fruits that are eaten raw.
Propagated through seeds.

Parts utilized: leaves

Uses:

For washing wounds- may be used twice a day.

For diarrhea- may be taken 3-4 twice a day.

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.

Akapulko (Cassie, alata L.)

It is also known as "bayabas-bayabasan" and "ringworm bush" in English, this herbal medicine
is used to treat ringworms and skin fungal infections.

Parts utilized: leaves

Use: anti-fungal: Tinea Flava, ringworm, athlete’s foot and scabies.

Preparation: Fresh, matured leaves pounded. Apply as soap to the affected part 1-2 times a day.
Ulasimang- bato (Peperonia Pellucida)

A weed, with heart-shaped leaves also known as "pansit-pansitan", grows in shady parts of the
garden and yard. It is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be eaten fresh (about
a cupful) as salad or like tea.

Parts utilized: leaves

Use: Lowers uric acid. (rheumatism and gout)

Preparation: Wash leaves well. One and a half cup leaves are boiled in two glassfuls of water
over lower fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Divide into three parts and drink each part three
times a day after meals.

May also be eaten as salad. Wash the leaves well. Prepare one and a half cups of leaves. Divide
into 3 parts and take as salad three times s day.

Bawang (Allium sativum) - popularly known as "garlic", it mainly reduces cholesterol in

the blood and hence, helps control blood pressure. Also a remedy for toothache

Parts utilized: Garlic Bulb

Uses:

For hypertension: Toothache; to lower cholesterol levels in blood.

Preparation:

May 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.

For toothache: Pound a small piece and apply to affected part.

Ampalaya (Mamordica Charantia)

known as "bitter gourd" or "bitter melon" in English, it most known as a treatment of diabetes
(diabetes mellitus), for the non-insulin dependent patients.

Parts utilized: leaves

Use: Lower blood sugar levels

Preparation: Gather and wash young leaves very well. Chop. Boil 6 tablespoons in two glassfuls
of water for 15 minutes under low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Take one third cup 3
times a day after meals.

Remember that young leaves may be blanched/ steamed and eaten ½ glassful 2 times a day.

Reminders on the Use of Herbal Medicine.

1. Avoid the use of insecticide 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 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.

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007

http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal