10 HERBAL MEDICINES APPROVED BY DOH AND THEIR USES

Akapulko / Acapulco (Cassia alata) Benefits & Treatment of Akapulko:

External Use: Treatment of skin diseases: Tinea infections, insect bites, ringworms,
eczema, scabies and itchiness. Mouthwash in stomatitis

Akapulko / Acapulco (Cassia alata) Benefits & Treatment of Akapulko:

Internal use: Expectorant for bronchitis and dyspnea Alleviation of asthma
symptoms Used as diuretic and purgative For cough & fever As a laxative to expel
intestinal parasites and other stomach problems.

Akapulko / Acapulco (Cassia alata) 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 dyspnea, 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.

Akapulko / Acapulco (Cassia alata) Preparation & Use: 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.

(Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya: Good for

rheumatism and gout And diseases of the spleen and liver Aids in lowering blood
sugar levels Helps in lowering blood pressure Relives headaches Disinfects and
heals wounds & burns Can be used as a cough & fever remedy

(Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya: Treatment

of intestinal worms, diarrhea Helps prevent some types of cancer Enhances immune
system to fight infection For treatment of hemorrhoids Is an antioxidant and
parasiticide Is antibacterial and antipyretic

(Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) Preparation & Use of Ampalaya: For

coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea, diabetes, juice Ampalaya leaves and drink 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.

(Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) Preparation & Use of Ampalaya:

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.

Bayabas or Guava (Psidium guajava)

Uses of Bayabas : Antiseptic, astringent & anthelminthic Kills bacteria, fungi and
ameba Used to treat diarrhea, nosebleeding For Hypertension, diabetes and Asthma
Promotes menstruation

Bayabas or Guava (Psidium guajava) 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.

Bayabas or Guava (Psidium guajava) Preparation: 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.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

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 & antibacterial properties

Garlic (Allium sativum) Health Benefits of Bawang-Garlic: Cough and cold

remedy Relieves sore throat Aids in the treatment of tuberculosis Helps relieve
rheumatism pain Relief of toothaches Kills skin fungus i.e. athletes foot With
anticoagulant properties

Garlic (Allium sativum) 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, peal the skin and chew for several minutes.
Swallow the juice. For toothaches, crush then bite garlic. For athletes foot, soak feet
in salty water then apply garlic juice. Do this 3X day for a week.

Garlic (Allium sativum) Preparation of Bawang-Garlic: 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.

Lagundi (Vitex negundo)

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

Lagundi (Vitex negundo) 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.

Niyog-Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.)

Health Benefits of Niyog-Niyogan antihelminthic skin diseases dysuria

Niyog-Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.) Antihelminthic: Dried seeds preferable

for deworming. Adults: Dried nuts-chew 8 to 10 small- to medium- sized dried nuts
two hours after a meal, as a single dose, followed by a half glass of water. If fresh
nuts are used, chew only 4-5 nuts. Hiccups occur more frequently with the use of
fresh nuts. Children: 3-5 years old: 4-5 dried nuts; 6 8 years old: 5-6 dried nuts; 912 years old: 6-7 dried nuts. Caution: Adverse reactions diarrhea, abdominal pain,
distention and hiccups more likely if nuts are eaten in consecutive days or when
fresh nuts are eaten. Pounded leaves externally for skin diseases. Decoction of
boiled leaves used for dysuria.

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera L.)

Health Benefits of Sambong: Good as a diuretic agent Effective in the dissolving

kidney stones Aids in treating hypertension & rheumatism Treatment of colds &

fever

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera L.) Health Benefits of Sambong: Good as a

diuretic agent Effective in the dissolving kidney stones Aids in treating hypertension
& rheumatism Treatment of colds & fever

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera L.) Preparation & Use: 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.

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera L.) Preparation & Use: 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.

Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida Linn.) a.k.a. Ulasiman-Bato

Pansit-pansitan is used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of: Arthritis Gout
Skin boils, abscesses, pimples Headache Abdominal pains kidney problems

Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida Linn.) a.k.a. Ulasiman-Bato

Preparation & Use The leaves and stalk of pansit-pansitan are edible. It can be
harvested, washed and eaten as fresh salad. Taken as a salad, pansit-pansitan helps
relive rheumatic pains and gout. An infusion or decoction (boil 1 cup of leaves/stem
in 2 cups of water) can also be made and taken orally - 1 cup in the morning and
another cup in the evening.

Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida Linn.) a.k.a. Ulasiman-Bato

Preparation & Use For the herbal treatment of skin disorders like abscesses,
pimples and boils, pound the leaves and/or the stalks and make a poultice (boil in
water for a minute or two then pounded) then applied directly to the afflicted area.
Likewise a decoction can be used as a rinse to treat skin disorders.

Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida Linn.) a.k.a. Ulasiman-Bato

Preparation & Use For headaches, heat a couple of leaves in hot water, bruise the
surface and apply on the forehead. The decoction of leaves and stalks is also good
for abdominal pains and kidney problems.

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

Yerba Buena may be used to treat: Arthritis Head aches Tooth aches Mouth
wash Relief of intestinal gas Stomach aches Indigestion Drink as tea for general
good health.

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) Preparation & Use: 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.

Tsaang Gubat or Wild Tea (Ehretia microphylla Lam.)

Health Benefits of Tsaang Gubat: Stomach pains Gastroenteritis Intestinal

motility Dysentery Diarrhea or Loose Bowel Movement (LBM) Mouth gargle Body
cleanser/wash

Tsaang Gubat or Wild Tea (Ehretia microphylla Lam.) Preparation & Use:
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.