10 Herbal Medicines Approved by DOH These is the list of the ten (10) medicinal plants that the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) through its “Traditional Health Program” have 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:
1. Akapulko (Cassia alata) – also known as “bayabas-bayabasan” “bayabas-bayabasan” and “ringworm bush” in English, this herbal medicine is used to treat ringworms and skin fungal infections.
Benefits & Treatment of Akapulko: • External Use: Treatment of skin diseases: Tinea infections, insect bites, ringworms, ringworms, eczema, scabies and itchiness. • Mouthwash in stomatitis • Internal use: Expectorant for bronchitis and dyspnoea • Alleviation of asthma symptoms • Used as diuretic and purgative • For cough & fever • As a laxative to expel intestinal parasites and other stomach problems. Note: A strong decoction of Akapulko leaves is an abortifacient. Pregnant women should not take decoction of the leaves or any part of this plant.
Preparation & Use: • For external use, pound the leaves of the Akapulko plant, squeeze the juice and apply on affected areas. • As the expectorant for bronchitis and dyspnoea, drink decoction (soak and boil for 10 to 15 minutes) of Akapulko leaves. The same preparation may be used as a mouthwash, mouthwash, stringent, and wash for eczema. • As laxative, cut the plant parts (roots, flowers, and the leaves) into a manageable size then prepare a decoction Note: The decoction looses its potency if not used for a long time. Dispose leftovers after one day. • The pounded leaves of Akapulko
has purgative functions, specifically against ringworms. It should be noted that the pounded leaves of this plant may be applied thinly on the affected part twice a day. Marked
improvement may be expected after two to three weeks of continuous application application to the affected area(s) where the prepared Akapulko leaves were applied.
2. Ampalaya (Momordica 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.
Note: In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and abortifacient. Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya: Preparation & Use of Ampalaya: • Good Good for rheumati rheumatism sm and and gout gout • And diseases of the spleen and • For coughs, fever, worms, liver diarrhea, diabetes, juice Ampalaya • Aids Aids in lower owerin ing g blood lood sugar ugar leaves and drink a spoonful daily. levels • For other ailments, the fruit and • Helps in lowering blood pressure lea leaves ves can both both be juic juiced ed and • Relives headaches taken orally. • Disinf Disinfect ects s and heals wounds wounds & • For For head headac ache hes s woun wounds ds,, burn burns s burns and skin skin disea diseases ses,, apply apply warmed warmed • Can be used as a cough & fever leaves to afflicted area. remedy • Powd Powder ered ed leav leaves es,, and and the the root root • Treatm Treatment ent of intest intestina inall worms worms,, decoction, may be used as diarrhea strin tringe gen nt and applied lied to trea reat • Help Helps s prev preven entt some some type types s of hemorrhoids. cancer • Internal parasites are proven to • Enha Enhanc nces es immu immune ne syst system em to be expe expell lled ed when when the the ampa ampala laya ya fight infection jui juice ce,, made made from from its its leav leaves es,, is • For For trea treatm tmen entt of hemo hemorr rrho hoid ids s extracted. The ampalaya juice, and • Is an antioxidant and parasiticide grounded seeds is to be taken one • Is antibacterial and antipyretic spoon spoonful ful thrice thrice a day, day, which which also also trea treats ts diar diarrh rhea ea,, dyse dysent nter ery, y, and and chronic colitis.
3. Bawang (Allium sativum) – popularly known as “garlic”, it mainly reduces cholesterol in the blood and hence, helps control blood pressure.
Health Benefits of Bawang-Garlic: • Good for the heart • Helps lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) • Aids in lowering blood pressure • Remedy for arteriosclerosis arteriosclerosis • May help prevent certain types of cancer
• Boosts immune system to fight infection • With antioxidant properties • Cough and cold remedy • Relives sore throat, toothache • Aids in the treatment of tuberculosis • Helps relieve rheumatism pain • With anticoagulant properties
Preparation of Bawang-Garlic: Bawang-Garlic: • For disinfecting wound, crush and juice the garlic bulb and apply. You may cover the afflicted area with a gauze and bandage. • For sore throat throat and toothac toothache, he, peal peal the skin and chew. Swallow Swallow the juice. • Cloves of garlic may be crushed and and appl applie ied d to affe affect cted ed area areas s to reduce the pain caused by arthritis,
toothache, headache, and rheumatism. • Decoc Decoctio tion n of the bawang bawang bulbs bulbs and leaves are used as treatment for fever. • For nasal congestion, steam and inha inhale le:: vine vinega gar, r, chop choppe ped d garl garlic ic,, and water.
4. Bayabas (Psidium guajava) – “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. Asthma • Promotes
menstruation
Uses of Bayabas : • Antiseptic, astringent & anthelminthic • Kills Kills bacter bacteria, ia, fungi fungi and and ameba ameba • Used to treat diarrhea, nosebleeding • For Hypert Hypertens ension ion,, diabet diabetes es and
The fresh leaves are used to facilitate the healing of wounds and cuts. A decoction (boiling in water) or infusion of fresh leaves can be used for wound cleaning to prevent infection. Bayabas is also effective for toothaches. Note: Bayabas can
cause constipation when consumed in excess.
Preparation: • Boil one cup of Bayabas leaves in thre three e cups cups of wate waterr for for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool. • Use Use deco decoct ctio ion n as mout mouthw hwas ash, h, gargle. • Use as wound disinfectant - wash affected affected areas areas with the decoctio decoction n 5. Lagundi (Vitex negundo) – known in English as the “5-leaved chaste tree”. It’s main use is for the relief of coughs and asthma.
of leaves 2 to 3 times a day. Fresh leaves may be applied to the wound wound directly directly for faster faster healing. healing. • For toothaches, chew the leaves in your mouth. • For diarrh diarrhea, ea, boil boil the chopp chopped ed leaves for 15 minutes in water, and stra strain in.. Let Let cool cool,, and and drin drink k a cup cup every three to four hours. • To stop stop nosebl nosebleed eed,, densel densely y roll roll Bayabas leaves, then place in the nostril cavities
Herbal Benefits of Lagundi: Preparation & Use: • Reli Relief ef of asth asthma ma & phar pharyn yngi giti tis s • Recommended relief of rheu rheuma mati tism sm,, dysp dyspep epsi sia, a, boil boils, s, diarrhea • Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders • All Allevi eviate ate sympto symptoms ms of Chick Chicken en Pox • Removal of worms, and boils
• Boil half cup of chopped fresh or dried leaves in 2 cups of water for 10 to 15 minut minutes. es. Drink Drink half half cup cup three times a day. • For For skin skin dis diseas eases es or dis disor order ders, s, apply the decoction of leaves and roots directly on skin. • The The root root is sp spec ecia iall lly y good good for for treating treating dyspepsia dyspepsia,, worms, worms, boils, boils, colic and rheumatism.
A decoction (boiling in water) of the roots and leaves of Lagundi are applied to wounds, and used as aromatic baths for skin diseases. Boiled seeds are eaten in order to prevent the spreading of toxins and venom from bites of poisonous animals. animals. Juice extracted from the flowers of lagundi is taken in as an aid for disorders like fever, diarrhea, liver disorders, disorders, and even cholera. While a decoction of the plant leaves is suggested to be taken by individuals to help increase the flow and production of milk, as well as to induce menstruation.
6. Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica 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.
Bene Beneffits its & Trea Treatm tmen entt of Niyo NiyoggNiyogan:
Preparation & Use:
Alm Almost ost all all of its its part parts s are are us used ed indivi individua dually lly,, or mixed mixed with with other other ingredients, as remedy to different ailments ailments.. In the Philippi Philippines, nes, these these are taken to rid people of parasitic worm worms. s. Some Some also also us use e thes these e to help alleviate coughs and diarrhea. Medical experts, advice patients to consult consult their their doctors doctors as improper improper dosing may cause hiccups. Niyogniyogan’s leaves are used to cure body body pain pains s by plac placin ing g them them on specif specific ic proble problema matic tic areas areas of the body. Compound decoctions of the leaves of niyog-niyogan are used in India to alleviate flatulence.
7. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)- English name: Blumea camphora. A diuretic that
Seed Seeds s of niyo niyogg-ni niyo yoga gan n can can be take taken n as an anth anthel elmi mint ntic ic.. Thes These e are eaten raw two hours before the pati patien ent’ t’s s last last meal meal of the the day. day. Adul Ad ults ts may may take take 10 seed seeds s whil while e children 4 to 7 years of age may eat up to four seeds only. Children fro from ages ages 8 to 9 may take take six seed seeds s and and seve seven n seed seeds s may may be eaten by children 10 to 12 years old. Deco Decoct ctio ions ns of its its root roots s are are also also somet sometime imes s used used as a remedy remedy for rheu rheuma mati tism sm whil while e its its frui fruits ts are are used as an effective way to relieve toothaches.
helps in the excretion of urinary stones. It can also be used as an edema.
Health Benefits of Sambong: Preparation & Use: • Good as a diuretic agent • Effective in the dissolving kidney stones • Aids in treating hypertension hypertension & rheumatism • Treatment of colds & fever • Anti-diarrheic properties • Anti-gastralgic properties • Helps remove worms, boils • Relief of stomach pains • Treats dysentery, sore throat
• A decoction (boil in water) of Sambong leaves as like tea and drink a glass 3 or 4 times a day. • The leaves can also be crushed or pounded and mixed with coconut oil. • For headaches, apply crushed and pounded leaves on forehead and temples. • Decoction of leaves is used as sponge bath. • Decoction of the roots, on the other hand, is to be taken in as cure for fever.
8. Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla 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.
Health Benefits of Tsaang Gubat:
Preparation & Use:
• Stomach pains • Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis • Intestinal motility • Dysentery • Diarrhea or Loose Bowel Movement (LBM) • Mouth gargle • Body cleanser/wash cleanser/wash
• Thoroughly wash the leaves of tsaang gubat in running water. Chop to a desirable size and boil 1 cup of chopped leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil in low heat for 15 to 20 minutes and drain. • Take a cupful every 4 hours for diarrhea, gastroenteritis and stomach pains. • Gargle for stronger teeth and prevent cavities. • Drink as tea daily for general good health. 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).
9. Ulasimang Bato (Peperomia pellucida) – also known as “pansit-pansitan” “pansit-pansitan” it is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea. For the
10. Yerba 10. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) – 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 may be used to treat: Preparation & Use: • Arthritis • Head aches • Tooth aches • Mouth wash • Relief of intestinal gas • Stomach aches • Indigestion • Drink as tea for general good health.
• Wash fresh Yerba Buena leaves in running water. Chop to size for dried leaves, crush) and boil 2 teaspoons of leaves in a glass of water. Boil in medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes. • As analgesic, take a cupful every 3 hours.
• For tooth aches, pound the fresh leaves, squeeze juice out and apply on a cotton ball then bite on to the aching tooth.
• Yerba buena leaves may be heated over fire and placed over the forehead for headaches.
Stems of Yerba Buena may be crushed and applied directly to bruises. Folkloric use include poultice preparation and the oil extracts from its stems are suggested to be a remedy for cancerous tumors. Caution should be observed in taking this herbal medicine as it can be toxic in large doses.
