10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants Approved by DOH

Medicines made from 10 DOH-approved Philippine medicinal plants have become ever more popular among Filipinos considering the expensive western medicines which most Filipinos could not afford. Herbal medicines has gained a wide acceptance and popularity among Filipinos in providing basic medical care. The government has implemented the Cheaper Medicines Act and the creation of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), a government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) attached to the DOH to answer the present needs of Filipinos on health care. With this, Filipinos can now rely on herbal medicines which are available in abundance, locally. Not only that, this will also provide a good business opportunity for many local farmers. The Department of Health through its Traditional Health Program has endorsed 10 herbal medicinal plants which have been thoroughly tested and have been clinically proven to have medicinal value in the relief and treatment of various ailments.

Page 17

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Akapulko (Cassia alata) -also known as bayabas-bayabasanand ringwormbush in English, this herbal medicine is used to treat ringworms and skin fungal infections. Use Anti-fungal: TineaFlava, ringworm, athletes foot, and scabies.

PREPARATION: Fresh, matured leaves are pounded. Apply as soap to the affected part 1-2 times a day.

Page 18

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Ampalaya (Momordicacharantia) -known as bittergourd or bittermelon in English, it most known as a treatment of diabetes (diabetes mellitus), for the non-insulin dependent patients. USE: Lower blood sugar levels, Diabetes Mellitus (Mild non-insulin dependent) PREPARATION: Gathre and wash young leaves very well. Chop. Boil 6 tablespoons in two glassful of water for 15 minutes under low fire. Do not cover the pot. Cool and strain. Take one third cup 3 times a day after meals. SIGNA: NOTE: Young leaves may be blanched/steamed and eaten glassful 2 times a day.

Page 19

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Bawang (Allium sativum) -popularly known as garlic, it mainly reduces cholesterol in the blood and hence, helps control blood pressure. 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 two pieces three times a day after meals. CAUTION: Take on a full stomach to prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers. TOOTACHE: Pound a small piece and apply to affected part.

Page 20

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Bayabas (Psidiumguajava) -guava in English. It is primarily used as an antiseptic, to disinfect wounds. Also, it can be used as a mouth wash to treat tooth decay and gum infection. A tree about 4-5 meters high with tiny white flowers with round or oval fruits that are eaten raw.Propagated through seeds. USES: SIGNA: For washing wounds- may be used twice a day. For diarrhea may be taken 3-4 twice a day. NOTE: 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.

Page 21

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Lagundi (Vitexnegundo) known in English as the 5-leaved chaste tree.Its main use is for the relief of coughs and asthma.A shrub growing wild in vacant lots and waste land. Matured branches are planted. The flowers are blue and bell-shaped. The small fruits turn black when ripe. It is better to collect the leaves when are in bloom.

USES: ASTHMA. COUGH AND FEVER boiled chopped raw fruits or leaves in 2 glasses of water left for 15 minutes until the water left in only 1 glass (decoction). Strain the following dosages of the decoction are given according to age group.

Dried leaves Adult 4 tbsp

Fresh leaves 6 tbsp 2 tbsp

7-12 yrs

Page 22

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants 3 tbsp 1 tbsp 2-6 yrs 1 tbsp.

DYSENTERY, Colds and pain in any part of the body as in influenza Boil a handful of leaves and flowers in water to produce a glass full of decoction three times a day.

SKIN DISEASE (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, contusions insect bites

Pound the leaves and apply an affected part.

AROMATIC bath for sick patients.

Prepared leaf decoction for use in sick and newly delivered patients.

6.Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualisindica L.)

Page 23

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualisindica L.) -is a vine known as Chinese honey suckle . It is effective in the elimination of intestinal worms, particularly the Ascaris and Trichina. Only the dried matured seeds are medicinal -crack and ingest the dried seeds two hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults). If one dose does not eliminate the worms, wait a week before repeating the dose. It also a vine which bears tiny fruits and grows wild in backyards. The seeds must come from mature, dried but newly opened fruits. Propagated through stem cuttings about 20cm. in height. PREPARATION: An anti-helminthic- 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. Adult 7-12 years 6-8 years 4-5 years 8-10 seeds 6-7 5-6 4-5

CAUTION: Not to be given to children below four years old.

Page 24

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Sambong (Blumeabalsamifera)

English name: Blumeacamphora. A diuretic that helps in the excretion of urinary stones. It can also be used as an edema.A plant that reaches 1 to 3 meters in height with rough hairy leaves. Young plants around mother plant may be separated when they have three or more leaves. USES: Anti-edema, diuretic,..anti-urolithiasis. Boild chopped leaves in water for 15 minutes until one glassful remains. Cool and strain. SIGNA: Dried leaves (Adult ) 4 tbsp 7-12 yrs Fresh leaves 6 tbsp tbsp. of adult dose

Divided decoction into 3 parts. Drink one part 3 times a day. Note: SAMBONG is not a medicine for kidney infection

Page 25

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

TsaangGubat (Ehretiamicrophylla Lam.)

-Prepared like tea, this herbal medicine is effective in treating intestinal motility and also used as a mouth wash since the leaves of this shrub has high fluoride content.

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

Dried leaves SIGNA: Adult 10 tbsp 7-12 yrs 6 tbsp

Fresh leaves

12 tbsp 5 tbsp 2-6 yrs

Page 26

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants 2 tbsp 3 tbsp

Divided 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. SIGNA: Dried leaves Adult 2 tbsp 7-12 yrs 1 tbsp tbsp Fresh leaves 3 tbsp

Page 27

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

UlasimangBato | Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomiapellucida)

-It is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea. For the decoction, boil a cup of clean chopped leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, let cool and drink a cup after meals (3 times day).A weed, with heart-shaped leaves that grow in shady parts of the garden and yard. USE: Lowers uric acid rheumatism and gout. PREPARATION: Wash the leaves well. One and a half cup leaves are boiled in two glassfuls of water over low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Divide into three parts and drink each 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 (not closely packed). Divide into three parts and take as salad three times a day.

Page 28

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Yerba Buena (Clinopodiumdouglasii)

-commonly known as Peppermint, this vine is used as an analgesic to relive body aches and pain. It can be taken internally as a decoction or externally by pounding the leaves and applied directly on the afflicted area. Yerba Buena(Hilbas ) A small multi-branching aromatic herb. The leaves are small, elliptical and with toothed margin. The stem creeps to the ground, and develops roots. May also be propagated through cuttings. USES: For pain in different parts of the body as headache, stomachache-boil chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. Dried leaves Adult 6 tbsp Fresh leaves 4tbsp tbsp. of adult dose

7-12 yrs

Divided decoction into two parts and drink one part every three hours.

Page 29

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants RHEUMATISM, arthritis and headache- crush the fresh leaves and squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with eucalyptus. Cough and cold- Get about 10 fresh leaves and soak in a glass of hot water. Drink as a tea. Acts as an expectorant. SWOLLEN GUMS steep 6 gm. Of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use solution as gargle. TOOTACHE- cut fresh plant and squeeze sap. Soak a piece to 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 g. 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

HERBAL MEDICINE As part of primary health care and because of the increasing cost of drugs, the use of locally available medicinal plants has been advocated by the Department of Health. Many local plants and herbs in the Philippine backyard and field have been found to be effective in the treatment of common ailments as attested to by the national science Development Board, other government and private agencies/persons engaged in research. HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PROGRAM Being a country particularly vulnerable to various manmade and natural disaster, the Public Health Nurse should be able to act accordingly when disaster strikes based on the preparedness and response plan. Base on Administrative Order No. 6 Bs of 1999, the Department of Health institutionalized the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program within the Department. This program is designed to a comprehensive, integrated and response emergency, disaster related service research oriented program with the goal of promoting health emergency preparedness among the general public and strengthening the health sector capability and response to emergencies and disaster.

Page 30

10 Philippine Medicinal Plants

Page 31