Philippine Medicinal Plants

Amor Z. Ricafrente, RPh

Definition of Terms
Decoction juice extracted by boiling. Poultice soft, moist mass of herbs applied as medicament to the body. Hot compress application of heat to small area with hot gauze or hot compress cloth. Cystitis inflammation of the urinary bladder, characterized by painful and scanty urination. Tonic - medicine that invigorates or strengthens Febrifuge a medication that reduces fever; an antipyretic.

General Instructions for treatments requiring the use of plants

1. Use only one plant medicine at a time. In treating the ailment, use only one plant medicine. 2. Use only stainless or earthen cooking utensils. 3. Dont cover cooking utensil when boiling. This is done to release toxic, if there are any. 4. Boil for a one-day supply only. Any decoctions effectiveness is good for only 8-12 hours after boiling. 5. Take decoction either hot or cold. Strain decoction before taking it.

 The instructions under each medical treatment are preceded either by a blind circle () or a square (). The blind circle tells you how to prepare a plant medicine, and the square portion tells you how to use it.

List of Medicinal Plants in the Philippines

Akapulko

Akapulko
scientific name: Cassia alata English name: ringworm bush or shrub Medicinal uses:
diuretic sudorific purgative treatment of fungal infection of the skin treatment of ringworms

Akapulko
Crush young leaves and extract juice Apply the juice directly between the toes and the other affected areas.

Ampalaya

Ampalaya
scientific name: Momordica charantia English name: bitter melon and bitter gourd Medicinal uses:
treats diabetes (diabetes mellitus) and hemorrhoids

Wash and chop the roots, fruits and seeds. Extract juice and mix with oil. Use cup chopped roots, fruits and seeds with two (2) tablespoons of oil.

Atis

Atis
scientific name: Anona squamosa L. English name: Sugar apple and Sweet sop Medicinal uses:
treatment fainting. of diarrhea, dysentery and

Atis
If the patient is breathing and the pulse is strong, crush atis leaves. Let him smell the aroma of the juice. Put it over the nose for him to smell. Let him smell until his dizziness or fainting spell is out.

Balimbing

Balimbing
scientific name: Auerrhoa carambola L. Medicinal use:
relieves itchiness because of chicken pox.

Crush or chop young leaves and extract the juice. Apply the juice on the skin or lesions to relieve itchiness, 3x a day. Dont rub juice on the skin.

Banaba

Banaba
scientific name: Lagerstroemia speciosa Medicinal uses:
treatment of diabetes and other ailments purgative diuretic

Bawang

Bawang
scientific name: Allium sativum English name: Garlic Medicinal uses:
reduces cholesterol in the blood helps lower blood pressure treatment for ringworm

Bawang
Peel and crush one clove and rub it on the affected part until it gets red. Apply 2x a day: in the morning after the morning bath and at bedtime.

Bayabas

Bayabas
scientific name: Psidium guajava English name: Guava Medicinal uses:
disinfectant to treat wounds The decoction is used as a mouth wash to treat gum infection and tooth decay. The bark is also used in children with chronic diarrhea.

Bayabas
Boil 10 chopped leaves in two glasses of water for 15 minutes. Dosage: Adults: 1 cup, 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement. Children: (Babies) 1 tbsp 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement. (26 yrs.) cup, 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement. (712 yrs.) cup, 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement.

Gumamela

Gumamela
scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. English name: China rose or Hibiscus Medicinal uses:
expectorant for coughs, cold, sore throat, fever and bronchitis.

Kalatsutsi

Kalatsutsi
scientific name: Plumeria acuminata Ait English name: Temple power, Graveyard flower Medicinal use:
treatment of scabies

Kalatsutsi
Boil 1 cup chopped fresh leaves and small branch in cup coconut oil for 5 minutes. Let cool and keep in bottle for future use. Apply on the infected body part liberally after taking a bath.

Kangkong

Kangkong
scientific name: Ipomea aquatiac Torsk English name: Potato Vine, Swamp cabbage Medicinal use:
relieves constipation

Kaymito

Kaymito
scientific name: Chrysophyllum cainito L. English name: Star apple Medicinal use:
Treatment for chronic diarrhea.

Kaymito
Boil 1 cup chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Dosage Adults: 1 cup 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement. Children: (Babies) 1 tbsp, 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement. (23 yrs.) cup, 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement. (712 yrs.) cup, 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement.

Kulitis

Kulitis
scientific name: Amaranthus spinosus L. English name: Amaranth Medicinal use:
treatment of eczema.

Boil 3 cups of chopped fresh leaves in 5 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Soak a small face towel in this decoction. Use as a compress directly on the eczema for 30 minutes.

Lagundi

Lagundi
scientific name: Vitex negundo English name: Five-leaved Chaste tree Medicinal uses:
relief and treatment of coughs, asthma, dyspepsia, worms, colic, rheumatism and boils. the root is known to be an expectorant, tonic and febrifuge.

Lagundi
Boil 4 tablespoons of chopped day leaves or 6 tablespoons of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Dosage:
Adults: cup 3x a day Children:
(Babies) 1 teaspoon, 3x a day (26 yrs.) 2 tablespoons, 3x a day (712 yrs.) cup, every 4 hours

Luya

Luya
scientific name: Zingiber officinale English name: Ginger Medicinal uses:
antifungal anti-inflammatory antibiotic antiviral diuretic antiseptic properties.

Luya
Wash and peel a small piece of ginger Chew slowly for a few minutes. Swallow the juice or keep a small piece in the mouth, chewing it little by little.

Mangga

Mangga
scientific name: Mangifera indica Linn. English name: Mango Medicinal use:
relieves rheumatism or rheumatic joint pain.

Boil a piece of chopped bark Use the decoction for hot compress

Niyog-niyogan

Niyog-niyogan
scientific name: Quisqualis indica L. English name: Chinese honey suckle. Medicinal uses:
elimination of intestinal worms treatment for fever and diarrhea pounded leaves are used for skin diseases.

Niyog-niyogan
Eat raw 2 hours after supper. Repeat after one week if needed. Dosage:
Adults: 10 seeds Children: (47 yrs.) 4 seeds (89 yrs.) 6 seeds (1012 yrs.) 7 seeds

Oregano

Oregano
scientific name: Origanum vulgare Medicinal uses:
antioxidant antimicrobial prevention of degenerative arthritis relief of cough, osteoarthritis, asthma and upset stomach.

Oregano
Boil 1 cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Dosage:
Adults: cup 3x a day Children: (Babies) 1 teaspoon, 3x a day (26 yrs.) 2 tablespoons, 3x a day (712 yrs.) cup, every 4 hrs.

Pansit-Pansitan

Pansit-Pansitan
scientific name: Peperomia pellucida Linn. Medicinal uses:
treatment for arthritis, gout, skin disorders, abdominal pains and kidney problems.

Papaya

Papaya
scientific name: Carica papaya English name: Melon tree Medicinal use:
helps in the digestion of protein. Eat one big slice every morning for breakfast.

Sabila

Sabila
scientific name: Aloe barbadensis Mill English name: Aloe vera Medicinal use: treatment for burns, cuts, eczema and other disorders. Treatment for pimples or acne antiviral antifungal antibiotic antioxidant antiparasitic

Sabila
Get one leaf and peel the outer covering. Rub the juice on the face every after washing with warm water. Leave it on for 30 minutes.

Sambong

Sambong
scientific name: Blumea balsamifera English name: Blumea Camphora Medicinal uses:
treatment for kidney disorders, colds, fever, rheumatism, hypertension and other ailments diuretic helps in the excretion of urinary stones edema treatment for headache due to sinusitis.

Sambong
Crush 5 leaves and heat directly over open fire, one at a time. Apply directly while still hot over the forehead for frontal sinusitis and over the cheeks for maxillary sinusitis. Replace the cool leaf with a newly heated one until all 5 leaves are used up. Do this 2x a day. For acute and chronic cystitis Boil 1 cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Dosage: Adults: cup 3x a day Children: (26 yrs.) 2 tablespoons, 3x a day (712 yrs.) cup, 3x a day.

Yerba Buena

Yerba Buena
scientific name: Clinopodium douglasii English name: Peppermint Medicinal uses:
analgesic pain reliever to alleviate the body's aches and pains.

Yerba Buena
Boil one tablespoon of dried leaves or 5 chopped fresh leaves in 1 glass of water for 5 minutes Dosage:
Adults: 1 glass, every 4 hours Children:
(Babies) 1 tbsp every 4 hours (26 yrs.) cup every 4 hours (712 yrs.) 1 cup every 4 hours