Herbal Medicine (Akapulko)

Akapulko (Cassie, alata L.)

It is also known as bayabas-bayabasan and ringworm bush in English, this herbal

medicine is used to treat ringworms and skin fungal infections.

Parts utilized:

leaves

Anti-fungal: Tinea Flava, ringworm, athletes foot and scabies.

Use:

Preparation:

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

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition
2007 http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal

Herbal Medicine (Ampalaya)

Ampalaya (Mamordica 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.

Parts utilized:

leaves

Lower blood sugar levels

Use:

Preparation:

Gather and wash young leaves very well. Chop. Boil 6 tablespoons in two glassfuls of
water for 15 minutes under low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Take one third
cup 3 times a day after meals. Remember that young leaves may be blanched/ steamed
and eaten glassful 2 times a day.

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007

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Herbal Medicine (Bawang)

Bawang (Allium sativum)

Popularly known as garlic, it mainly reduces cholesterol in the blood and hence, helps
control blood pressure. Also a remedy for toothache

Parts utilized:

Garlic Bulb

For hypertension: Toothache; to lower cholesterol levels in blood.

Uses:

Preparation:

May be fried, roasted, soaked in vinegar for 30 minutes or blanched in boiled Water for 5
minutes. Take 2 pieces three times a day after meals.

For toothache:

Pound a small piece and apply to affected part.

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal
www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal

Herbal Medicine (Bayabas)

Bayabas / Guava (Psidium Guajava L.)

A tree about 4- 5 meters high with tiny flowers with round or oval fruits that are eaten
raw. Propagated through seeds.

Parts utilized:

leaves

For washing wounds- may be used twice a day.

For diarrhea- may be taken 3-4 twice a day.

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.

Uses:

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal

Herbal Medicine (Lagundi)

Lagundi (Vitex Negundo)

A shrub known in English as the 5-leaved chase tree which grows wild in vacant lots
and waste land. The flowers are blue and bell-shaped and small fruits turn black when
ripe. It is better to collect the leaves where are in bloom. Matured branches are planted.

Parts utilized:

Leaves, flower.

Asthma, cough and fever boil the chopped raw fruits or leaves in 2 glasses of water
left for 15 minutes until the water left in only one glass. Strain. The following dosages of
the decoction are given to age group.

Dysentery, colds and pain in any part of the body as influenza boil a handful of
leaves and flowers in water to produce a glass full of decoction 3 times a day.

Skin Diseases (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, contusion insect bites pound the leaves and apply on affected
part.

Aromatic bath for sick patients prepare leaf decoction for use in sick and newly
delivered patients.

Uses:

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal

Herbal Medicine (Niyug-Niyogan)

Niyug- Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.)

A vine known as Chinese honey suckle which bears tiny fruits and grows wild in
backyards. It is effective for the elimination of intestinal worms. The seeds must come
from mature. Dried but newly opened fruits. Propagated through stem cuttings about
20cm in height.

Parts utilized:

seeds

An anti- helmintic 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. This is
not to be given to children below four years old.

Special precautions: Follow recommended dosage. Overdose causes hiccups.

Uses:

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal

Herbal Medicine (Sambong)

Sambong ( Blumea Balsamifera)

A plant that reaches 1.5 to 3 meters high with rough hairy leaves. Young plants around
mother plant may be separated when they have three or more leaves.

English name:

Blumea camphora

Parts utilized:

leaves

Anti- edema, diuretic, anti- urolithiasis -boil chopped leaves in water for 15 minutes
until one glassful remains. Cool and strain. Divide decoction into 3 parts. Drink one part
3 times a day. Remember that sambong is not a medicine for kidney infection.

Uses:

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal

Herbal Medicine (Tsaang Gubat)

Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa)

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

Parts utilized:

Uses:

leaves

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. Divide decoction
into 4 parts. Let patient drink 1 part every 3 hours.

Stomachache- washes leaves and chops. Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water for 15
minutes. Cool and filter, strain and drink.

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal

Herbal Medicine (Ulasimang Bato)

Ulasimang- bato (Peperonia Pellucida)

A weed, with heart-shaped leaves also known as pansit-pansitan, grows in shady parts
of the garden and yard. It is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be
eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea.

Parts utilized:

leaves

Lowers uric acid. (Rheumatism and gout)

Use:

Preparation:

Wash leaves well. One and a half cup leaves are boiled in two glassfuls of water over
lower fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Divide into three 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.
Divide into 3 parts and take as salad three times s day.

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal

Herbal Medicine (Yerba Buena)

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

A small multi- branching aromatic herb commonly known as Peppermint. The leaves are
small, elliptical ands with soothed margin. The stem creeps to ground, and develops
roots. May also be propagated through cuttings.

Parts utilized:

leaves, sap of plant

For pain in different parts of the body as headache, stomach ache boil chopped leaves in
two glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. Divide decoction into two parts and
drink one part every three hours.

Rheumatism, arthritis and headache crush the fresh leaves squeeze sap. Massage sap
on painful parts with eucalyptus.

Cough and colds get about 10 fresh leaves and soak in a glass of hot water. Drink as
tea. Acts as an expectorant.

Swollen Gums steep 6 grams of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes.
Use solution as gargle.

Uses:

Toothaches cut fresh plant and squeeze sap. Soak a piece of 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 grams 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.

Insect bites crush leaves and apply juice on affected part or pound leaves until pastelike. Then rub this on affected part.

Pruritis boil plant alone or with eucalyptus in water. Use decoction as wash on affected
area.

Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal