Lagundi (Vitex Negundo)

A shrub growing wild in vacant lots and waste land. Matured branches are planted. The flowers are blue and bell- shaped. The small fruits turn black when ripe. It is better to collect the leaves when are in bloom.

Parts utilized: leaves, flower.Indications:

>Asthma, cough and fever – boil chopped raw fruits or leaves in 2 glasses water left for 15 minutes until the water left in only 1 glass(decoction). Strain. The following dosages of the decoction are given according to age group:

Dried leaves Fresh leavesAdult 4 tbsp 6 tbsp7-12 y/o 2 tbsp 3 tbsp2-6 y/o 1 tbsp 1 ½ tbsp

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

>Rheumatism, sprain, contusions, and insect bites- pound the leaves and apply on affected part.

>Headache – crushed leaves may be applied on the forehead.

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

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

A small multi- branching aromatic herb. The leaves are small, elliptical and with toothed margin. The stem creeps to the

ground, and develops roots. May also be propagated through cuttings.

Parts utilized: leaves, sap of plant

Indications:

>Pain in different parts of the body such as headache, stomachacheglasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain.

Dried leaves Fresh leaves

Adult 6 tbsp 4 tbsp7-12 y/o ½ tbsp of adult dose*divide decoction into two parts and drink one part every three hours.

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

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

>Swollen gums – steep 6 g of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use solution as gargle.

>Toothache – 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 paste-like. Then rub this on affected part.

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

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.Parts utilized: leaves

Indications:

>Anti- edema, diuretic, anti- urolithiasis -boil chopped leaves in water for 15 minutes until one glassful remains. Cool and strain.

Dried leaves Fresh leavesAdult 4 tbsp 6 tbsp7-12 y/o ½ tbsp of adult dose*divide decoction into 3 parts. Drink one part 3 times a day.

*Remember that sambong is not a medicine for kidney infection.

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: leavesIndications:

>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.

Dried leaves Fresh leavesAdult 10 tbsp 12 tbsp7-12 y/o 5 tbsp 6 tbsp2-6 y/o 1 ½ tbsp 3 tbsp*divide decoction into 4 parts. Let patient drink 1 part every 3 hours.

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

Dried leaves Fresh leavesAdult 2 tbsp 3 tbsp7-12 y/o 1 tbsp ½ tbsp

Niyug- Niyugan (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 Indications:

>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.

Adult 8-10 seeds7-12 y/o 6-76-8 y/o 5-64-5 y/o 4-5

*This is not to be given to children below four years old.

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: leavesIndications:

>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.

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: leavesIndications:

>anti-fungal: Tinea Flava, ringworm, athlete’s foot and scabies.

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

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: leavesIndications:

>Lowers uric acid. (Rheumatism and gout)

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.

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 BulbIndications:

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

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.

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: leavesIndications:

>Lower blood sugar levels

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 ½ glassful 2 times a day.

Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinesis Linn.)

A species of flowering plant found in cultivation throughout the Philippines. Aside from ornamentation, gumamela is being used by some locals as alternative medicine.

Indications:

>Abscess and boils – chop 5 leaves and 2 flowers. Apply directly on abscess or boil as poultice, 2 times a day

Makahiya (Mimosa pudica L.)

Makahiya is a diffusely spreading, half-woody herb, with branched stems up to 1 meter long, sparingly prickly with numerous deflexed, bristly hairs. The leaves are very sensitive, both pinnae and leaflets, folding when touched.

Indications:

>Diarrhea – boil 1 cup of chpped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes.

Dosage:Babies 1 tbsp 3 times a day2-6 y/o ¼ cup, 3 times a day7-12 y/o ½ cup 3 times a day

>Mumps – crush leaves and make into paste. Apply directly on swollen gland after the cold compress. Apply for 30 minutes, 3 times a day.

Ginger ( Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Ginger is an herb. The rhizome (underground stem) is used as a spice and also as a medicine. It can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil.

Indications:

>Sore throat – wash and pell 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.

Kamoteng Kahoy (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Kamoteng-kahoi is an erect, smooth, half-woody or shrubby plant, 1.5 to 3 meters in height, growing from stout and fleshy roots. Leaves are alternate and smooth (except for some of the upper leaves, which are entire) and dividing to the base into three to seven narrow segments, 10 to 20 centimeters long. Flowers are about 1 centimeter long. Fruit is a capsule, ovoid,1.5 centimeter long, with six, narrow longitudinal wing.

Indications:

>Measles and/or skin rashes – remove peelings and grate the tuber. Extract the juice, add water enough for one baby bath tub and boil. Soak the baby in starchy water for 10-15 minutes but don’t rub the skin. May apply directly as powder on the skin.

Calamansi ( Citrus

microcarpa Bunge)

A small, round lime, usually 25-35mm in diameter, but sometimes up to 45mm. It has the inviting odor of a tangerine with a very thin green or orange colored

peel. In spite of its appearance and aroma, the taste of the fruit itself is quite sour, though the peel is sweet. Kalamansî is commonly used as a condiment for dishes such as pancit bihon. Like other citrus fruits, the calamansi is high in vitamin C, and the juice can be a good vitamin source.

Indications:

>Pimples or acne – mix three tablespoons of mashed ripe papaya with 1 tbsp kalamansi juice. Apply mixture on the face every after washing. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash face with warm water. You may leave it on the face overnight if you can tolerate it.

>Under-arm body odor – extract juice from buyo/betel leaf pepper and mix with calamansi juice. Apply as deodorant every after bath and bedtime.

Lemon grass (Andropogon citratus DC Stapf)

Lemon grass is a member of a specie of grass that grows to as high as 1 meter with leaves of 1 to 1.5 centimeters in width that grows from a stalk of about 30 to 80 cm long with bulbous lower end.

Indications:

>Diarrhea – boil 10 young leaves in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes. Add 1 tbsp sugar and 1 small piece crushed ginger.

Dosage: Adults – 1 cup 3 times a day and after every loose bowel movementChildren: Babies – 1 tbsp 3 times a day and after every loose bowel movement2-6 y/o – ¼ cup 3 times a day and after every loose bowel movement7-12 y/o – ½ cup 3 times a day and after every loose bowel movement

Kataka-taka (Kalanchoe pinnata(Lam.) Pers.)

An erect, more or less branched, smooth, succulent herb, 0.4 to 1.4 meters in height. Leaves are simple or pinnately compound, with the leaflets elliptic, usually about 10 centimeters long, thick, succulent, and scalloped margins.Indications:

>Toothache – crush young kataka-taka leaves. Apply directly on swollen face.

>Sprained ankle or wrist – crush 10 leaves. Apply directly as poultice for 30 minutes 3 times a day

>Mosquito bites – pound 5 – 10 leaves and extract the juice. Apply the juice directly on the infected bites 3 times a day.

Ipil – ipil ( Leucaena glauca L.)Indications:

>Worm infestation(Ascaris or Trichina)- For Children: Eat the seeds of 5 fresh pads raw. Repeat after 1 week,

if there are no results. - For children and adult: Cook 1 cup of dried seeds in frying pan without oil. Do not burn seeds. Pulverize. Mix with milk or water.

Dosage:Adults – 1 tsp 2 hours after supperChildren: 7-9 y/o – ¼ tsp 2 hours after supper10-12 y/o ½ tsp 2 hours after supper*Note: Dosage may be repeated after 1 week if needed

Betel nutAlso called areca nut or the seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. The betel nut is not a true nut, but rather a drupe. It is commercially available in dried, cured and fresh forms. While fresh, the husk is green and the nut inside is so soft, it can easily be cut with a typical knife. In the ripe fruit, the husk becomes yellow or orange and, as it dries, the fruit inside hardens to a wood-like consistency.

INDICATION:

Ripe and unripe seeds are used to treat urinary infections and vaginal discharges

Betel nut is used for relieving toothache

the seeds of the betel nut palm are best known for their use as a stimulant but traditional medicinal uses include relief from abdominal discomfort and eliminating intestinal parasites like roundworms and tapeworms.( There is scientific evidence to support these properties. Although betel nut is known to be toxic, its use in traditional medicine continues. )

PREPARATION:

Usually for chewing, a few slices of the nut are wrapped in a betel leaf along with lime.

SunflowerSunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant native to the Americas. It possesses a large inflorescence (flowering head). The sunflower is named after its huge, fiery blooms, whose shape and

image is often used to depict the sun. The sunflower has a rough, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads of flowers. The heads consist of many individual flowers which mature into seeds, often in the hundreds, on a receptacle base.

INDICATION:

Sunflower seeds improve digestionand

Improves cardiovascular system

Strengthens bones & muscles

Pomelo (Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis)

A crisp citrus fruit native to South and Southeast Asia. It is usually pale green to yellow when ripe, with sweet white flesh

and very thick albedo.

INDICATION:

Helps prevent UTI

Promotes fast healing of wounds

Promotes healthy teeth and gums

Helps prevent anemia

Helps prevent colds and flu

Banana The largest herbaceous flowering plant. The plants are normally tall and fairly sturdy and are often mistaken for trees, but their main or upright stem is actually a pseudostem that grows 6 to 7.6 metres (20 to 24.9 ft) tall, growing from a corm. Each pseudostem can produce a single bunch of bananas. After fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but offshoots may develop from the base of the plant.

INDICATION:

Lower Blood Pressure

Studies show that the high amounts of potassium in bananas (over 13% of the RDA) can lower one's blood pressure, which in turn lessens the possibility of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.

Bone Health

Along with lowering blood pressure, potassium prevents the weakening of the body's bones. A high sodium intake, which is typical of many American diets, can cause excessive amount of calcium to be lost through the urine, which threatens not only the strength and general health of the bones, but also negatively affects blood clotting, proper muscle contraction, and normal nervous system function. The potassium found in bananas neutralizes the high amounts of sodium in one's diet, thus allowing for healthy amounts of calcium to remain within the body.

Cancer Prevention

A large study by the Internal Journal of Cancer illustrates that the probability of developing kidney cancer is greatly lessened by frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, though especially bananas. For instance, the probability of developing kidney cancer in female subjects decreased by 50% when eating bananas four to six times a week.

PREPARATION:

Banana hearts are used as a vegetable in South Asian and Southeast Asian cuisine, either raw or steamed with dips or cooked in soups, curries and fried foods.

JAVA TEA

isn’t a potent brew made from coffee and ordinary Camellia sinensis tea. Also known as kidney tea, it refers to an herbal tea made from the Orthosiphon plant, which flourishes on the Indonesian island of Java. The plant also grows throughout Indonesia as well as in Malaysia and Thailand. In all three countries, the tea has long been consumed as medicine for kidney and related disorders.

INDICATION:

Drinking this gentle, non-caffeine herbal tea made from the leaves and stalks of the orthosiphon plant is supposed to induce urination, reduce uric acid, and dissolve kidney stones. It's also believed to relieve gout, inflamed joints, muscle spasms and the discomfort related to gall bladder and urinary infections. Scientific studies in Malaysia and elsewhere are now attempting to verify the claims. Studies with rats suggest that the ingredients in Java tea could be a treatment for hyperglycemia, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

PREPARATION:

With individual sachets, a cup or pot of Java tea is made like any other cup of tea. To make it from scratch, thoroughly dry out the leaves and stalks. A pestle or a rolling pin can be used to crush them into more compact form, but don’t reduce to a powder. Store in an air-tight jar. As with any loose tea, use a small strainer or tea ball to brew the tea for several minutes in freshly boiled water. To get the most benefits and keep the water warm, let the tea brew up to 10 minutes in a teapot or in a cup with a lid.

The color will be brownish-green. The smell is slightly flowery, like many another herb tea. It has neither the refreshing tart taste of roselle tea nor the acrid aroma of bael tea. It tastes salty and bitter.

JACKFRUIT

An aromatic, fleshy fruit renowned for its delicious taste. The unripe form can be utilized to prepare a lip-smacking dishes, and the ripe ones are so juicy and delicious that you can even eat them raw, either singly or as part of a fruit salad! It is also a nice idea to use the ripe fruit as a dessert topping.

INDICATION:

Ensures Better Gastrointestinal Health: Jackfruits are good for digestion and are known to help cure ulcers and indigestion. Additionally, the high fiber present in the fruit prevents constipation and helps in smooth and regular bowel movements. The fiber also offers protection to the mucous membrane of the colon by driving away the carcinogenic (cancer causing) chemicals from the colon.

Strengthens Immune System: Jackfruit is a very good source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent colds and infections. Vitamin C helps in the proper functioning of the immune system by supporting the functions of the white blood cells.

Protection Against Cancer: Apart from containing vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant), jackfruits are also rich in phytonutrients like lignans, isoflavones and saponins that provide protection against cancer. These phytonutrients can help eliminate cancer-causing free radicals from the body and slow down the degeneration of cells that can lead to degenerative diseases.

Lowers Blood Pressure Levels: Jackfruit is a rich source of potassium, containing around 300 mg in 100 grams of jackfruit. Potassium is important for the body as it helps keep the body fluids and electrolyte balance in body cells and helps in regulating blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Onion (Allium cepa)

Like its close relative garlic, it is also a member of the lily family. Both onion and garlic are rich in thiosulfinates, sulfides, sulfoxides, and other sulfur compounds. The thiosulfinates exhibit anti-microbial properties that underlie onion’s effectiveness against a wide spectrum of pathogenic bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, salmonella, and E. coli.

Indications:

>Sinus: Inhale fresh cut onion until the nasal passages are unclogged. 

>Bruises: Hold a fresh cut onion to the bump, bruise, or ankle or elbow sprain, and the pain will be relieved. For large areas, place the cut onion on the body, cover the area with a sheet of plastic wrap, and attach it to the body with a large elastic bandage. To increase the effect of the onion on sprains, combine equal parts of onion and common salt.

>Hemorrhoids: Another old English remedy is the use of raw, bruised onions. Attach a portion to protruding or inflamed hemorrhoids for relief of pain.

>Chilblains: Combine salt and raw onions. Pound them together, and apply the result to unbroken skin. For skin showing lesions, use no salt and apply roasted onions. 

Kinchay/Parsley

Parsley is a short – lived perennial with bright green leaves. Tiny yellow- green flowers are produced followed by small ribbed oval seeds.

Parts used: Leaves, roots, seeds and oil

Indications:

>Itch relieving properties – apply externally on itchy area.

>Diuretic Parsley may be eaten raw, juiced in an extractor, or made into a soup to produce a free flow of urine from the system. 

>Poultice To soften hard breasts in the early stage of nursing, apply bruised parsley to the breasts.

Damong Maria (Artemisia Vulgaris Linn.)

Parts used: leaves

A small plant found in many places in the Philippines, often cultivated. On Mt. Banahaw it grows wild. Filipinos use it for all sorts of stomach ailments.

Indications:

>Skin ulcers - wash ulcers with infusion of leaves.

>Used for: Cough, Colds and Fevers

Preparation: Decoction of leaves and flowers used as expectorant. It should however, not be given to those suffering from gastric ulcers, gastric intestinal inflammation and typhoid fever. Boil about 40 fresh leaves with flowering tops (10 g) in 3 cups of water, for 15 to 20 minutes until you get 1 glass of the greenish tea solution. Application: Drink while warm; dose good for one day use to be taken twice.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne Pepper is an herb made from the dried pods of chili peppers. Besides being a very popular spice in cooking, cayenne has also been used medicinally for thousands of years. High in Vitamins A, C, B complex, calcium and potassium, cayenne is a wonderful healing aid for the digestive system since it acts as a catalyst and increases the effectiveness of other foods and herbs when used with them. It is also very healing for the heart and circulatory system. Studies have shown that Cayenne can rebuild the tissue in the stomach and the peristaltic action in the intestines.

Indications:

>Relieves pain of sore throat - gargle Cayenne solution

>Toothache - A few grains of cayenne will smart on the gum, and in a cavity, but will act as a temporary pain alleviator, until you get to your dentist.

>Applied externally, Cayenne can act as a counterirritant to the pain of arthritis. Essentially, this means that rubbing cayenne on the affected area causes a mild irritation, which in turn ‘distracts’ the nerves from the more severe arthritic pain.

REFERENCES:

http://forums.bizhat.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areca_nut

http://www.healthdiaries.com

http://suite101.com

Public Health Nursing in the Philippines book by National League of the Philippine Government Nurses; pp. 324 – 329

Healing Wonders of Herbs by Herminia de Guzman – Ladion; pp. 12 - 45

http://www.herbalmedicineguide.com/onion.html

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mugwor61.html