Ten (10) Herbal Medicines in the Philippines

Approved by the Department of Health (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" 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,
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.
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, 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.

Note: A strong decoction of Akapulko women should not take decoction of the
leaves is an abortifacient. Pregnant leaves or any part of this plant.

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.
Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya: • Enhances immune system to fight
infection
• Good for rheumatism and gout • For treatment of hemorrhoids
• And diseases of the spleen and liver • Is an antioxidant and parasiticide
• Aids in lowering blood sugar levels • Is antibacterial and antipyretic
• Helps in lowering blood pressure
• Relives headaches Preparation & Use of Ampalaya:
• Disinfects and heals wounds & burns
• Can be used as a cough & fever remedy • For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea,
• Treatment of intestinal worms, diarrhea diabetes, juice Ampalaya leaves and drink
• Helps prevent some types of cancer a spoonful daily.
• For other ailments, the fruit and leaves
can both be juiced and taken orally.
• For headaches wounds, burns and skin
diseases, apply warmed leaves to afflicted
area.
• Powdered leaves, and the root
decoction, may be used as stringent and
applied to treat hemorrhoids.
• Internal parasites are proven to be
expelled when the ampalaya juice, made
from its leaves, is extracted. The
ampalaya juice, and grounded seeds is to
be taken one spoonful thrice a day, which
also treats diarrhea, dysentery, 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
• 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:
• 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 and toothache, peal the
skin and chew. Swallow the juice.
• Cloves of garlic may be crushed and
applied to affected areas to reduce the
pain caused by arthritis, toothache,
headache, and rheumatism.
• Decoction of the bawang bulbs and
leaves are used as treatment for fever.
• For nasal congestion, steam and inhale:
vinegar, chopped garlic, 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.
Uses of Bayabas :
• Antiseptic, astringent & anthelminthic
• Kills bacteria, fungi and ameba
• Used to treat diarrhea, nosebleeding
• For Hypertension, diabetes and Asthma
• Promotes menstruation
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 three
cups of water for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool.
• Use decoction as mouthwash, gargle.
• Use as wound disinfectant - wash
affected areas with the decoction of leaves
2 to 3 times a day.
Fresh leaves may be applied to the wound
directly for faster healing.
• For toothaches, chew the leaves in your
mouth.
• For diarrhea, boil the chopped leaves for
15 minutes in water, and strain. Let cool,
and drink a cup every
three to four hours.
• To stop nosebleed, densely roll Bayabas
leaves, then place in the nostril cavities.

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.
Herbal Benefits of Lagundi:
• Relief of asthma & pharyngitis
• Recommended relief of
rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea
• Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu
and other bronchopulmonary disorders
• Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox
• Removal of worms, and boils
Preparation & Use:
• Boil half cup of chopped fresh or dried
leaves in 2 cups of water for 10 to 15
minutes. Drink half cup three times a day.
• For skin diseases or disorders, apply the
decoction of leaves and roots directly on
skin.
• The root is specially good for treating
dyspepsia, worms, boils, colic and
rheumatism.

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.
Benefits & Treatment of Niyog-Niyogan:
Preparation & Use:
Almost all of its parts are used
individually, or mixed with other Seeds of niyog-niyogan can be taken as an
ingredients, as remedy to different anthelmintic. These are eaten raw two
ailments. In the Philippines, these are hours before the patient’s last meal of the
taken to rid people of parasitic worms. day. Adults may take 10 seeds while
Some also use these to help alleviate children 4 to 7 years of age may eat up to
coughs and diarrhea. Medical experts, four seeds only. Children from ages 8 to 9
advice patients to consult their doctors as may take six seeds and seven seeds may
improper dosing may cause hiccups. be eaten by children 10 to 12 years old.
Niyog-niyogan’s leaves are used to cure
body pains by placing them on specific Decoctions of its roots are also sometimes
problematic areas of the body. Compound used as a remedy for rheumatism while its
decoctions of the leaves of niyog-niyogan fruits are used as an effective way to
are used in India to alleviate flatulence. relieve toothaches.

7. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)- English name: Blumea camphora. A

diuretic that helps in the excretion of urinary stones. It can also be used as
an edema.
Health Benefits of Sambong: • Treats dysentery, sore throat

• Good as a diuretic agent Preparation & Use:

• Effective in the dissolving kidney stones
• Aids in treating hypertension &
rheumatism
• Treatment of colds & fever
• Anti-diarrheic properties
• Anti-gastralgic properties
• Helps remove worms, boils
• Relief of stomach pains
• 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 • Decoction of the roots, on the other
bath. 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:
• Thoroughly wash the leaves of tsaang
• Stomach pains gubat in running water. Chop to a
• Gastroenteritis desirable size and boil 1 cup of chopped
• Intestinal motility leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil in low heat
• Dysentery for 15 to 20 minutes and drain.
• Diarrhea or Loose Bowel Movement • Take a cupful every 4 hours for diarrhea,
(LBM) gastroenteritis and stomach pains.
• Mouth gargle • Gargle for stronger teeth and prevent
• Body cleanser/wash cavities.
• Drink as tea daily for general good
Preparation & Use: health.

9. Ulasimang Bato | Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida) - 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).
Pansit-pansitan is used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of:

• Arthritis
• Gout
• Skin boils, abscesses, pimples
• Headache
• Abdominal pains
• kidney problems

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: • Drink as tea for general good health.

• Arthritis
• Head aches Preparation & Use:
• Tooth aches
• Mouth wash • Wash fresh Yerba Buena leaves in
• Relief of intestinal gas running water. Chop to size for dried
• Stomach aches leaves, crush) and boil 2 teaspoons of
• Indigestion
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.