Sambong
Blumea balsamifera
South and Southeast asia.
Distributed throughout the Philippines
Anti-cancer, Anti-Genotoxicity, Antimicrobial, anti-obesity, antioxidant, dissolution of kidney stones.
Diuretic and antiuricemic
For Kidney stones
> Visit a health center to identify your illness, and the treatment for kidney stones, including the use of sambong leaves for medication.
> The health care professional may advice you to use sambong as treatment through this method:
> Boil the minced and freshly picked sambong leaves in a pot filled with 2 glasses of water until the pot is only left with half-filled of water. Keep the lid off the pot after bringing it to a boil.
> Let it cool completely and then strain it.
> Divide it into 3 portions. Drink 1 portion 3 times a day.
> Drink 12 glasses of water or more daily.
> Dosage of minced sambong leaves based on patient’s age: 3 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 6 tablespoons (13 years old and above)
Itching is attributed to ragweed allergy.
Lack of study for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Akapulko
Senna alata
Distributed throughout the Philippines
Anti-allergic activity, athelmintic, mosquito repellent, insecticidal, snake bites
Antifungal, antiscabies
For ringworm (buni) and other fungal infections (an-an, had-had, alipunga)
> Grind a sufficient amount of fresh akapulko leaves as needed.
> Apply the extract on the affected area in your skin 2 times a day. Apply it daily within 3 weeks to complety kill the fungus (a type of germs) that causes ringworm (buni) and other fungal infections (an-an, had-had, alipunga)
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Hypersensitivity
Niyog-niyogan
Quisqualis indica
Found from India to the Malay Peninsula and Southeast Aisa; widely distributed throughout the Philippines
Antipyretic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory
Anthelmintic
For intestinal worms
> Get the seed from the parent plant and its withered fruit
> Eat it; chew it well and follow with drinking a half full or 1 glass of water.
> Dosage of seeds to eat based on patient’s age: 4-5 seeds (4-6 years old); 6-7 seeds (7-12 years old); 8-10 seeds (13 years old and above)
> If there is still no worm that came out during a bowel movement, you may use the same dosage after 1 week.
Possible side effects especially after overeating seeds: nausea, hiccups, stomach ache, or diarrhea. Do not eat more than the recommended amount of seeds.
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Tsaang-Gubat
Carmona retusa
India to southern china, taiwan, Malay peninsula and the Philippines
Anti-allergic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antimutagenic
Caries-preventive, antispasmodic
For stomach pains
> Boil the chopped and freshly picked forest tea (tsaanggubat) leaves in a pot containing 1 glass of water until the water is reduced to half its volume. Remove the cover of the pot when it boils.
> Measurement of chopped leaves based on age: 1 1/2 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 3 tablespoons (13 years old or older); not recommended for children below 7 years old.
> Let it cool and then strain.
> Drink.
If stomach pain symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
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Ampalaya
Momordica charantia
Found in tropical East Africa, Madgascar, India to Japan, southward through Malesia to Polynesia; distributed throughout the Philippines
Antibacterial, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-tuberculosis, analgesic, purgative, antiviral
Antimetabolic syndrome, antidiabetes
For diabetes
> Consult a health center for a formal diagnosis and medical advice for diabetes, including the use of ampalaya leaves (Makiling variety) to help control blood sugar levels
> Health care professionals may advise patients to eat 1 cup of ampalaya leaves twice a day (as salad or as an ingredient in meals)
> Health care professionals may also advise patients to boil 2 cups of sprouts in 2 glasses of water until only half of the water is left (around 15 minutes of boiling), and to drink ⅓ of the boiled water (decoction) thrice a day (30 minutes before meals)
Lagundi
Vitex negundo
Tropical East Africa, Madagascar, from India to Japan, southward through Malesia to Polynesia; distributed throughout the Philippines
Antimutagenic, depressant on cardiac function
Antitussive For cough
> Boil crushed fresh lagundi leaves in a pot with 2 cups of water until only half of the water is left. Leave the pot uncovered when it starts boiling.
> Amount of crushed leaves according to patient’s age: 1 ½ tablespoons (2-6 years old); 3 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 6 tablespoons (13 years old and above)
Ulasimang Bato or Pansit Pansitan
Peperomia pellucida
Native to tropical America; distributed throughout the Philippines
Analgesic, antibacterial, antihyperuricemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
Antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, depressant, anti-gout
Tips on how to control uric acid
> Consult a doctor at a health center to diagnose your symptoms, and to know the medicine for gout including how to use pansitpansitan to help in controlling your uric acid levels.
> The doctor may advise to eat 1 cup (not crammed) of leafy tops of pansit-pansitan thrice during the day (as a salad). Also, the doctor may advise to boil 1 1/2 glasses (or 3 cups), not crammed, of pansit-pansitan in 2 glasses of water until the water reduces to half (boil for around 15 minutes), and drink the 1/3 glass of boiled water thrice in the day after eating.
Bawang
Allium sativum
Grown in Batanes islands, batangas, nueva ecija, ilocos norte, mindoro and cotabato
Antihyperlipidemic, Antihypertensive, Fibrinolytic, antiplatelet, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial
Hyperlipidemia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis,
For high levels of blood cholesterol (Hypercholesterolemia)
Consult with a health center for a formal diagnosis and medical advice for hypercholesterolemia, including the use of garlic to control blood cholesterol levels.
The health care professional may advise patients to eat 2-3 garlic bulbs (soaked in vinegar, sterilized, grilled, or fried in a little oil) 3 times a day with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, allergies, contact dermatitis and asthma
Not for snake/dog bites.
Immediately wash the wound with soap and bring the patient to a health center or hospital.
Bayabas (Guava)
Psidium guajava
Distributed throughout the Philippines
Analgesic, antidiarrheal, Antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antitussive, hemostatic effects, inotropic effects
Gingivitis, rotaviral, acute diarrhea
For scabies or wounds that discharge pus
> Boil 1 or 2 handfuls of leafy tops of guavas in a small pot containing water.
> Wash the wound with the lukewarm water after it has cooled. Do this twice during the day until the scabies will heal.
> Consult a doctor at a health center if the symptoms persist, if sudden fever occurs or ijf there is redding of the area around the scabies.
For dizziness
> Crumple the fresh tops and let it be inhaled by the person experiencing dizziness. Consult a doctor at a health center if dizziness symptoms still persist.
Swollen gums
> Boil one handful of leafy tops in a small pot with water.
> Gargle with the lukewarm water after it has been cooled. Do this twice during the day until your gums feel better.
> Consult a doctor at a health center if symptoms still persist or if sudden fever is developed.
Cleaning the vagina after giving birth
> Boil one handful of leafy tops in a small pot with water.
> Wash with the lukewarm water after it has cooled.
Taking a bath or for itchy skin
> Boil enough leafy tops in a pot with water.
> Take a bath with the lukewarm water after it has cooled
Yerba Buena
Mentha cordifolia
Distributed throughout the Philippines
Analgesic, antimicrobial and antiparasitic, antineoplastic
Analgesic
For toothaches
> Boil the grinded and freshly picked yerbabuwena leaves in a pot filled with 2 glasses of water until the pot is only left with half filled of water. Keep the lid off the pot after bringing it to a boil.
> Let it cool completely and then strain it.
> Divide it into 2 portions. Drink 1 portion, and drink another 1 portion after 3-4 hours if the pain still persist.
> Dosage of minced sambong leaves based on patient’s age: 3 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 6 tablespoons (13 years old and above)
> Visit a health center and consult about your illness if the toothache still persists.
Headache
> Compress or crush freshly picked leaves and use the extract in massaging the forehead and top of head.
> Consult with a health center if the headache still persists.