10 Herbal Medicines Approved by DOH

These is the list of the ten (10) medicinal plants that the Philippine
Department of Health (DOH) through its “Traditional Health Program” have
endorsed. All ten (10) herbs have been thoroughly tested and have been
clinically proven to have medicinal value in the relief and treatment of
various aliments:

1. Akapulko (Cassia alata) – also

known as “bayabas-bayabasan”
and “ringworm bush” in English,
this herbal medicine is used to
treat ringworms and skin fungal
infections.

Benefits & Treatment of Akapulko:

• External Use:
Treatment of skin diseases:
Tinea infections, insect bites,
ringworms, eczema, scabies and
itchiness.
• Mouthwash in stomatitis
• Internal use:
Expectorant for bronchitis and
dyspnoea
• Alleviation of asthma symptoms
• Used as diuretic and purgative
• For cough & fever
• As a laxative to expel intestinal
parasites and other stomach
problems.
Note: A strong decoction of
Akapulko leaves is an abortifacient.
Pregnant women should not take
decoction of the leaves or any part
of this plant.
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 dyspnoea, 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.
• 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.
It should be noted that the
pounded leaves of this plant may
be applied thinly on the affected
part twice a day. Marked
2. Ampalaya (Momordica
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.
Note: In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and
abortifacient.
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
• 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
3. Bawang (Allium sativum) –
popularly known as “garlic”, it
mainly reduces cholesterol in the
blood and hence, helps control
blood pressure.
improvement may be expected
after two to three weeks of
continuous application to the
affected area(s) where the
prepared Akapulko leaves were
applied.
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.
• 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.
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 properties
• Cough and cold remedy
• Relives sore throat, toothache
• Aids in the treatment of
tuberculosis
• Helps relieve rheumatism pain
• With anticoagulant properties

Preparation of Bawang-Garlic:

• For disinfecting wound, crush and toothache, headache, and

juice the garlic bulb and apply. You
may cover the afflicted area with a
gauze and bandage.
• For sore throat and toothache,
peal the skin and chew. Swallow
the juice.
• Cloves of garlic may be crushed
and applied to affected areas to
reduce the pain caused by arthritis,
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.

4. Bayabas (Psidium guajava) –

“guava” in English. It is primarily
used as an antiseptic, to disinfect
wounds. Also, it can be used as a
mouth wash to treat tooth decay
and gum infection.

nosebleeding
• For Hypertension, diabetes and
Uses of Bayabas : Asthma
• Promotes menstruation
• Antiseptic, astringent &
anthelminthic The fresh leaves are used to
• Kills bacteria, fungi and ameba facilitate the healing of wounds and
• Used to treat diarrhea, cuts. A decoction (boiling in water)
or infusion of fresh leaves can be
used for wound cleaning to prevent
infection. Bayabas is also effective
for toothaches. Note: Bayabas can
cause constipation when consumed
in excess.
Preparation:
• Boil one cup of Bayabas leaves in
three cups of water for 8 to 10
minutes. Let cool.
• Use decoction as mouthwash,
gargle.
5. Lagundi (Vitex negundo) –
known in English as the “5-leaved
chaste tree”. It’s main use is for
the relief of coughs and asthma.
• 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 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

Herbal Benefits of Lagundi:

Preparation & Use:
• Relief of asthma & pharyngitis
• Recommended relief of • Boil half cup of chopped fresh or
rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, dried leaves in 2 cups of water for
diarrhea 10 to 15 minutes. Drink half cup
• Treatment of cough, colds, fever three times a day.
and flu and other • For skin diseases or disorders,
bronchopulmonary disorders apply the decoction of leaves and
• Alleviate symptoms of Chicken roots directly on skin.
Pox • The root is specially good for
• Removal of worms, and boils treating dyspepsia, worms, boils,
colic and rheumatism.

A decoction (boiling in water) of the roots and leaves of Lagundi are applied
to wounds, and used as aromatic baths for skin diseases. Boiled seeds are
eaten in order to prevent the spreading of toxins and venom from bites of
poisonous animals. Juice extracted from the flowers of lagundi is taken in as
an aid for disorders like fever, diarrhea, liver disorders, and even cholera.
While a decoction of the plant leaves is suggested to be taken by individuals
to help increase the flow and production of milk, as well as to induce
menstruation.

6. Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis
indica L.) – is a vine known as
Benefits & Treatment of Niyog-
Niyogan:
Almost all of its parts are used
individually, or mixed with other
ingredients, as remedy to different
ailments. In the Philippines, these
are taken to rid people of parasitic
worms. Some also use these to
help alleviate coughs and diarrhea.
Medical experts, advice patients to
consult their doctors as improper
dosing may cause hiccups. Niyog-
niyogan’s leaves are used to cure
body pains by placing them on
specific problematic areas of the
body. Compound decoctions of the
leaves of niyog-niyogan are used in
India to alleviate flatulence.
Health Benefits of Sambong:
• Good as a diuretic agent
• Effective in the dissolving kidney
“Chinese honey suckle”. It is
effective in the elimination of
intestinal worms, particularly the
Ascaris and Trichina. Only the dried
matured seeds are medicinal -crack
and ingest the dried seeds two
hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for
children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults).
If one dose does not eliminate the
worms, wait a week before
repeating the dose.
Preparation & Use:
Seeds of niyog-niyogan can be
taken as an anthelmintic. These
are eaten raw two hours before the
patient’s last meal of the day.
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.
Decoctions of its roots are also
sometimes used as a remedy for
rheumatism while its fruits are
used as an effective way to relieve
toothaches.
7. Sambong (Blumea
balsamifera)- English name:
Blumea camphora. A diuretic that
helps in the excretion of urinary
stones. It can also be used as an
edema.
stones
• Aids in treating hypertension &
rheumatism
• Treatment of colds & fever
• Anti-diarrheic properties
• Anti-gastralgic properties
• Helps remove worms, boils
• Relief of stomach pains
• Treats dysentery, sore throat
Preparation & Use:
• A decoction (boil in water) of
Sambong leaves as like tea and
8. Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia
microphylla Lam.) – Prepared like
tea, this herbal medicine is
effective in treating intestinal
motility and also used as a mouth
wash since the leaves of this shrub
has high fluoride content.
Health Benefits of Tsaang Gubat:
• Stomach pains
• Gastroenteritis
• Intestinal motility
• Dysentery
• Diarrhea or Loose Bowel
Movement (LBM)
• Mouth gargle
• Body cleanser/wash
9. Ulasimang Bato (Peperomia
pellucida) – also known as
“pansit-pansitan” it is effective in
fighting arthritis and gout. The
leaves can be eaten fresh (about a
cupful) as salad or like tea. For the
decoction, boil a cup of clean
chopped leaves in 2 cups of water.
Boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, let
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.
• 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.
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.
cool and drink a cup after meals (3
times day).
10. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium
douglasii) – commonly known as
Peppermint, this vine is used as an
analgesic to relive body aches and
pain. It can be taken internally as a
decoction or externally by
pounding the leaves and applied
directly on the afflicted area.

Yerba Buena may be used to treat: dried leaves, crush) and boil 2
teaspoons of leaves in a glass of
• Arthritis water. Boil in medium heat for 15
• Head aches to 20 minutes.
• Tooth aches • As analgesic, take a cupful every
• Mouth wash 3 hours.
• Relief of intestinal gas • For tooth aches, pound the fresh
• Stomach aches leaves, squeeze juice out and apply
• Indigestion on a cotton ball then bite on to the
• Drink as tea for general good aching tooth.
health. • Yerba buena leaves may be
heated over fire and placed over
Preparation & Use: the forehead for headaches.

• Wash fresh Yerba Buena leaves in

running water. Chop to size for

Stems of Yerba Buena may be crushed and applied directly to bruises.

Folkloric use include poultice preparation and the oil extracts from its stems
are suggested to be a remedy for cancerous tumors. Caution should be
observed in taking this herbal medicine as it can be toxic in large doses.