Philippine Medicinal PlantsPhilippine Medicinal Plants

Amor Z. Ricafrente, RPhAmor Z. Ricafrente, RPh

Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms Decoction – juice extracted by boiling. Poultice – soft, moist mass of herbs applied as

medicament to the body. Hot compress – application of heat to small area

with hot gauze or hot compress cloth. Cystitis – inflammation of the urinary bladder,

characterized by painful and scanty urination. Tonic - medicine that invigorates or strengthens Febrifuge – a medication that reduces fever; an

antipyretic.

General Instructions for treatments General Instructions for treatments requiring the use of plantsrequiring the use of plants

1. Use only one plant medicine at a time. In treating the ailment, use only one plant medicine.

2. Use only stainless or earthen cooking utensils.3. Don’t cover cooking utensil when boiling. This is

done to release toxic, if there are any.4. Boil for a one-day supply only. Any decoction’s

effectiveness is good for only 8-12 hours after boiling.

5. Take decoction either hot or cold. Strain decoction before taking it.

• The instructions under each medical treatment are preceded either by a blind circle (•) or a square (□). The blind circle tells you how to prepare a plant medicine, and the square portion tells you how to use it.

List of Medicinal Plants in the List of Medicinal Plants in the PhilippinesPhilippines

AkapulkoAkapulko

AkapulkoAkapulko scientific name: Cassia alata English name: ringworm bush or shrub Medicinal uses:

diureticsudorificpurgativetreatment of fungal infection of the skintreatment of ringworms

AkapulkoAkapulko

• Crush young leaves and extract juice□ Apply the juice directly between the toes and

the other affected areas.

AmpalayaAmpalaya

AmpalayaAmpalaya scientific name: Momordica charantia English name: bitter melon and bitter

gourd Medicinal uses:

treats diabetes (diabetes mellitus) and hemorrhoids

• Wash and chop the roots, fruits and seeds. Extract juice and mix with oil. Use ½ cup chopped roots, fruits and seeds with two (2) tablespoons of oil.

AtisAtis

AtisAtis scientific name: Anona squamosa L. English name: Sugar apple and Sweet

sop Medicinal uses:

treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and fainting.

AtisAtis• If the patient is breathing and the pulse is

strong, crush atis leaves.□ Let him smell the aroma of the juice. Put it

over the nose for him to smell. Let him smell until his dizziness or fainting spell is out.

BalimbingBalimbing

BalimbingBalimbing scientific name: Auerrhoa carambola L. Medicinal use:

relieves itchiness because of chicken pox.

• Crush or chop young leaves and extract the juice.

□ Apply the juice on the skin or lesions to relieve itchiness, 3x a day. Don’t rub juice on the skin.

BanabaBanaba

BanabaBanaba

scientific name: Lagerstroemia speciosa Medicinal uses:

treatment of diabetes and other ailmentspurgativediuretic

Bawang Bawang

BawangBawang scientific name: Allium sativum English name: Garlic Medicinal uses:

reduces cholesterol in the bloodhelps lower blood pressuretreatment for ringworm

BawangBawang

• Peel and crush one clove and rub it on the affected part until it gets red.

□ Apply 2x a day: in the morning after the morning bath and at bedtime.

BayabasBayabas

BayabasBayabas

scientific name: Psidium guajava English name: Guava Medicinal uses:

disinfectant to treat woundsThe decoction is used as a mouth wash to

treat gum infection and tooth decay. The bark is also used in children with chronic

diarrhea.

BayabasBayabas• Boil 10 chopped leaves in two glasses of water for 15

minutes.□ Dosage:

Adults: 1 cup, 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement.

Children: (Babies) 1 tbsp 3x a day and after every

loose bowel movement.(2–6 yrs.) ¼ cup, 3x a day and after

every loose bowel movement.(7–12 yrs.) ½ cup, 3x a day and after

every loose bowel movement.

GumamelaGumamela

GumamelaGumamela scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Linn. English name: China rose or Hibiscus Medicinal uses:

expectorant for coughs, cold, sore throat, fever and bronchitis.

KalatsutsiKalatsutsi

KalatsutsiKalatsutsi

scientific name: Plumeria acuminata Ait English name: Temple power, Graveyard

flower Medicinal use:

treatment of scabies

KalatsutsiKalatsutsi• Boil 1 cup chopped fresh leaves and small

branch in ½ cup coconut oil for 5 minutes. Let cool and keep in bottle for future use.

□ Apply on the infected body part liberally after taking a bath.

KangkongKangkong

KangkongKangkong scientific name: Ipomea aquatiac Torsk English name: Potato Vine, Swamp

cabbage Medicinal use:

relieves constipation

KaymitoKaymito

KaymitoKaymito

scientific name: Chrysophyllum cainito L. English name: Star apple Medicinal use:

Treatment for chronic diarrhea.

KaymitoKaymito• Boil 1 cup chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15

minutes.□ Dosage

Adults: 1 cup 3x a day and after every loose bowel movement.

Children:(Babies) 1 tbsp, 3x a day and after every

loose bowel movement.(2–3 yrs.) ¼ cup, 3x a day and after

every loose bowel movement.(7–12 yrs.) ½ cup, 3x a day and after

every loose bowel movement.

KulitisKulitis

KulitisKulitis scientific name: Amaranthus spinosus L. English name: Amaranth Medicinal use:

treatment of eczema.

• Boil 3 cups of chopped fresh leaves in 5 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Soak a small face towel in this decoction.

□ Use as a compress directly on the eczema for 30 minutes.

LagundiLagundi

LagundiLagundi scientific name: Vitex negundo English name: Five-leaved Chaste tree Medicinal uses:

relief and treatment of coughs, asthma, dyspepsia, worms, colic, rheumatism and boils.

the root is known to be an expectorant, tonic and febrifuge.

LagundiLagundi• Boil 4 tablespoons of chopped day leaves

or 6 tablespoons of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes.

□ Dosage:Adults: ½ cup 3x a dayChildren:

(Babies) 1 teaspoon, 3x a day(2–6 yrs.) 2 tablespoons, 3x a day(7–12 yrs.) ¼ cup, every 4 hours

LuyaLuya

LuyaLuya scientific name: Zingiber officinale English name: Ginger Medicinal uses:

antifungalanti-inflammatoryantibioticantiviraldiureticantiseptic properties.

LuyaLuya

• Wash and peel 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.

ManggaMangga

ManggaMangga scientific name: Mangifera indica Linn. English name: Mango Medicinal use:

relieves rheumatism or rheumatic joint pain.

• Boil a piece of chopped bark□ Use the decoction for hot compress

Niyog-niyoganNiyog-niyogan

Niyog-niyoganNiyog-niyogan

scientific name: Quisqualis indica L. English name: Chinese honey suckle. Medicinal uses:

elimination of intestinal wormstreatment for fever and diarrhea pounded leaves are used for skin diseases.

Niyog-niyoganNiyog-niyogan□ Eat raw 2 hours after supper. Repeat after

one week if needed.Dosage:

Adults: 10 seedsChildren:

(4–7 yrs.) 4 seeds(8–9 yrs.) 6 seeds(10–12 yrs.) 7 seeds

OreganoOregano

OreganoOregano scientific name: Origanum vulgare Medicinal uses:

antioxidant antimicrobial prevention of degenerative arthritisrelief of cough, osteoarthritis, asthma and

upset stomach.

OreganoOregano• Boil 1 cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2

glasses of water for 15 minutes.□ Dosage:

Adults: ½ cup 3x a dayChildren:

(Babies) 1 teaspoon, 3x a day(2–6 yrs.) 2 tablespoons, 3x a day(7–12 yrs.) ¼ cup, every 4 hrs.

Pansit-PansitanPansit-Pansitan

Pansit-PansitanPansit-Pansitan

scientific name: Peperomia pellucida Linn. Medicinal uses:

treatment for arthritis, gout, skin disorders, abdominal pains and kidney problems.

PapayaPapaya

PapayaPapaya scientific name: Carica papaya English name: Melon tree Medicinal use:

helps in the digestion of protein.

□ Eat one big slice every morning for breakfast.

SabilaSabila

SabilaSabila scientific name: Aloe barbadensis Mill English name: Aloe vera Medicinal use:

treatment for burns, cuts, eczema and other disorders.

Treatment for pimples or acneantiviralantifungalantibioticantioxidantantiparasitic

SabilaSabila

• Get one leaf and peel the outer covering.□ Rub the juice on the face every after

washing with warm water. Leave it on for 30 minutes.

SambongSambong

SambongSambong scientific name: Blumea balsamifera English name: Blumea Camphora Medicinal uses:

treatment for kidney disorders, colds, fever, rheumatism, hypertension and other ailments

diuretichelps in the excretion of urinary stonesedematreatment for headache due to sinusitis.

SambongSambong• Crush 5 leaves and heat directly over open fire, one at a time.□ Apply directly while still hot over the forehead for frontal sinusitis

and over the cheeks for maxillary sinusitis. Replace the cool leaf with a newly heated one until all 5 leaves are used up. Do this 2x a day.

For acute and chronic cystitis

• Boil 1 cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes.

□ Dosage:Adults: ½ cup 3x a dayChildren:

(2–6 yrs.) 2 tablespoons, 3x a day(7–12 yrs.) ¼ cup, 3x a day.

Yerba BuenaYerba Buena

Yerba BuenaYerba Buena scientific name: Clinopodium douglasii English name: Peppermint Medicinal uses:

analgesic pain reliever to alleviate the body's aches and

pains.

Yerba BuenaYerba Buena• Boil one tablespoon of dried leaves or 5

chopped fresh leaves in 1 glass of water for 5 minutes

□ Dosage:Adults: 1 glass, every 4 hoursChildren:

(Babies) 1 tbsp every 4 hours(2–6 yrs.) ½ cup every 4 hours(7–12 yrs.) 1 cup every 4 hours