Reminders on the Use of Herbal Medicine

• Avoid the use of insecticides as these may leave poison on plants. • In the preparation of herbal medicine, use a clay pot and remove cover

while boiling at low heat. • Use only the part of the plant being advocated. • Follow accurate dose of suggested preparation. • Use only one kind of herbal plant for each type of symptoms or sickness.

Use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh parts like leaves when using dried parts.

• Decoctions loose potency after some time. Dispose of decoctions after one day. To keep fresh during the day, keep lukewarm in a flask or thermos.

• Stop giving the herbal medication in case untoward reaction such as allergy occurs.

• If signs and symptoms are not relieved after 2 or 3 doses of herbal medication, consult a doctor

10 DOH APPROVED HERBAL MEDICINES

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)Common names: SambongIndication: Hypertension, Urolithiasis, Parts used: LeavesSpecial precautions: • Although considered safe, not

much is known about Sambong therefore it is advised to avoid taking it during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

• Avoid using with other diuretics. When taking diuretics, eat atleast one banana a day.

Preparation: a) Boil Chopped leaves in water for 15 minutes until one glassful remains. Cool and strain b) Divide into 3 parts. Drink one part part 3 times a day

Ulasimang Bato ( Peperomia pellucida)Common names: Pancit-PancitanIndication: Gout and Rheumatic arthritis, Headache, Skin Boils, Abscess, PimplesParts used: Leaves, StemsSpecial precautions: • Though there are no

reported side effects, it is advised to take moderate doses

• Avoid using with other pain relievers, diuretics

.

As drink Wash the leaves/steams. Measure 2 glasses of water and 1 glass of leaves/steam. Boil then set aside, cool and strain. - Use 2 times a day, 1 cup in the morning and 1 cup in the evening

Preparation: As vegetable The leaves and steams may be eaten raw, when freshly harvested and washed.

For headache Wash a couple of leaves, bruise the surface and apply on the forehead.

For skin problems Wash and pound the leaves/steams and apply it directly to affected area.

Niyog-Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.)Common names: Chinese Honeysuckle, talulo (tagalog), pinones (visayan)Indication: AntihelminticsParts used: Seeds, Leaves, roots, fruitsSpecial precautions: May cause hiccups and abdominal pain. 150 mg/kg p.o. is the maximum dose allowed, Adults may take 10 seeds while children 4 to 7 years of age may eat up to four seeds only. Children from ages 8 to 9 may take six seeds and seven seeds may be eaten by children 10 to 12 years old.

Preparation:Anti-helmintic

The seeds are taken 2 hours after supper. If no worms are expelled, the dose may be repeated after one week.

Caution: Not to be given to children below 4 years old)

Bayabas (Psidium guajava)

Common names: GuavaIndication: Hypertension, Toothaches, Diarrhea, Deworming, Poor CirculationParts used: Fruit, Bark, LeavesSpecial precautions: Eating too much can cause constipation

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 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.

Akapulko / Acapulco (Cassia alata)

Common names: Ringworm bush, bayabas-bayabasanIndication: Tinea Infections, Ring worms, Expectorants for bronchitis, Mouthwash for stomatitis, used as a diureticParts used: Leaves, Flower, rootsSpecial precautions: Pregnant women should not take decoction of the leaves or any part of this plant as a strong decoction of this plant is considered abortifacient

Preparation:• For external use, pound the leaves of the Akapulko plant, squeeze the juice and apply on affected areas.• For internal use: cut the plant parts into a manageable size then soak and boil for 10 to 15 minutes let cool and use as soon as possible.

Note: The decoction looses its potency if not used for a long time. Dispose leftovers after one day

Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)

Common names: Bitter gourdIndication: Diabetes MellitusParts used: Leaves (young)Special precautions:• Blood sugar levels should be

monitored regularly.• In large dozes, pure Ampalaya

juice can be a purgative and abortifacient.

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.

Note: Young leaves may be blanched and eaten ½ glassful 2 times a day

Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa)

Common names: Wild tea, alangitIndication: Diarrhea, stomachache, prevent cavitiesParts used: LeavesSpecial precautions: None

Preparation:For 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.

For stomachacheWash leaves and chop. Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water for 15 minutes. Cool and filter/strain and drink.

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

Common names: PeppermintIndication: Pain (headache, stomachache, tooth ache), rheumatism, cough and colds, swollen gums, pruritusParts used: Leaves, sap of plantSpecial precautions: Caution should be observed in taking this herbal medicine as it can be toxic in large doses.

Preparations:For pain (headache and stomachache)

Boil chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. For rheumatism, arthritis and headache

Crush the fresh leaves and squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with eucalyptus.

For Cough & ColdSoak 10 fresh leaves in a

glass of hot water, drink as tea. (expectorant)

For Swollen gumsSteep 6 g. of fresh plant

in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use as a gargle solution

For ToothacheCut fresh plant and

squeeze sap. Soak a piece of cotton in the sap and insert this in aching tooth cavity

For Menstrual & gas painSoak a handful of leaves

in a lass of boiling water. Drink infusion.

For Nausea & FaintingCrush leaves and apply at

nostrils of patients

For Insect bitesCrush leaves and apply

juice on affected area or pound leaves until like a paste, rub on affected area

For PruritusBoil plant alone or with

eucalyptus in water. Use decoction as a wash on affected area.

Bawang (Alium sativum)

Common names: ajos, garlicIndication: Hypertension, toothacheParts used: Leaves, clovesSpecial precautions: • Avoid taking with medicines for

lowering blood sugar, andmedicines for thinning blood.

• Dosage must not exceed 6-8 cooked cloves a day.

• Stomach ulcer may develop if garlic is eaten raw

Preparation:For Hypertension

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

Pound a small piece and apply to affected part. CAUTION: Take on full stomach to prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Lagundi (Vitex negundo)

Common names: five-leaved chaste tree, horseshoe vitexIndication: Asthma and cough, fever, dysentery, colds & pain, skin diseases and wounds, headache, rheumatism, sprain, contusions, insect bites. Aromatic bath for sick patientsParts used: Leaves, flowering topsSpecial precautions: Make sure to have the five-leaved varieties, as there are other varieties of lagundi.

Preparation:For asthma, cough and fever

Boil chopped raw fruits or leaves in 2 glasses of water left for 15 minutes until the water left in only 1 glass (decoction). Strain.For dysentery, colds and pain

Boil a handful of leaves and flowers in water to produce a glass full of decoction 3 time a day.

For skin diseases (dermatitis, scabies, ulcer, eczema) and wounds

Prepare a decoction of the leaves. Wash and clean the skin/wound with the decoction.For headache

Crushed leaves may be applied on the forehead.

For rheumatism, sprain, contusions and insect bites

Pound the leaves and apply on the affected part.For aromatic bath for sick patients

Prepare leaf decoction for use in sick and newly delivered patients.

Commonly used herbal meds that are not approved by doh

Malunggay (Moringa oleifera)

Common names: Ben oil tree. Miracle tree, drumstick treeIndication: Asthma, gout, back pain, rheumatism, wounds and sores. Increase breast milk in lactating women.Parts used: Leaves, flowers, young podsSpecial precautions: Although malunggay consumption is generally accepted as safe. But according to Indian traditional usage, Malunggay may have an abortificient effects.

Preparation:For sores and wound

Boil malunggay roots and let it cool to tolerable warm temperature and use it to wash wounds and sores. By gargling the Malunggay decoction, it may also be used to wash mouth sores and sore throats.As poultice

Grounded Malunggay seeds, leaves and bark may be applied topically as poultice onto swollen flesh to relieve inflammation.

Tawa-Tawa (Euphorbia hirta)

Common names: Gatas-gatas, asthma weedIndication: Asthma, diarrhea, dysentery, dengueParts used: Entire plantSpecial precautions: Safe use of tawa-tawa during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. It has been reported to cause both contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscles. In view of lack of pharmacological and toxicity data, the use of tawa-tawa during pregnancy and lactation is therefore not recommended.

Preparation:

Cut roots off 5 to 6 tawa-tawa plants. Rinse. Put the tawa-tawa into a pot of boiling water for one minute. Cool. Drink the decoction, 1 to 1 1/2 glasses, every hour for 24 hours.

Tanglad (Cymbopogon citratus)

Common names: lemon grass, citronellaIndication: stomachache, fever,headache, diuretic, vomiting, Parts used: LeavesSpecial precautions: Tanglad is not known to be harmful when taken in recommended dosages. However, individuals should always take caution before using any treatment.

Preparation:As Tea

Pound or cut about 10 leaves of Tanglad then add in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, strain, add sugar and a slice of ginger to taste. Let it cool and drink a cup three to four times a day.

Thank you!