List of Common Medicinal Plants

Akapulko (Cassia bracteata L. f).

- The seeds used for intestinal parasitism.
- Tincture from leaves reported to be purgative.
- Decoction of leaves and flowers for cough and as expectorant in bronchitis and
asthma. Also used as astringent.
- Crushed leaves and juice extract used for ringworm, scabies, eczema, tinea infections,
itches, insect bites, herpes.

Ampalaya (Cucumis intermedius M. Roem.)

- Both wild and cultivated forms are edible.
- Fruit of wild form usually roasted over fire and eaten with salt or "heko."
- The leaves and fruit - used as vegetables - are excellent sources of Vit B, iron,
calcium, and phosphorus. It has twice the amount of beta carotene in broccoli and twice
the calcium content of spinach. Characteristically bitter-tasting, slight soaking in salty
water before cooking removes some of the bitter taste of the fruit.
- In India, fruit eaten in curries.

Bawang (Allium sativum L.)

In the Philippines, bulbs used for hypertension. Also used as diuretic, and eaten fresh or
burned for coughs in children.
- Arthritis, rheumatism, toothaches: Crush several cloves and rub on affected areas.
- Crush clove applied to both temples as poultice for headache.
- Crush garlic or cut clove crosswise and rub directly to areas of insect bites.
- Decoction of leaves and bulbs for fever and as hypotensive, carminative, expectorant,
and antihelmintic.
- Juice from freshly crushed garlic used for colds, cough, sore throat, hoarseness,
asthma and bronchitis.
- Decoction use for tonsillitis.
- Steam inhalation of chopped garlic and a teaspoon of vinegar in boiling water used for
nasal congestion.
- Fresh garlic has been used as a complement to INH therapy for tuberculosis. In
Mexico, fresh bulb is eaten as a preventive for tuberculosis.
- In India, garlic juice diluted in water, applied externally to prevent hair from turning
grey.
- Diluted juice used for earaches and deafness.
- In the Antilles, used as vermifuge.
- Also used for menstrual cramps.
- Used for digestive problems and gastrointestinal spasms.
- Infusion of a peeled broiled clove used for gas pains.
- Juice of bulb with common salt applied to bruises and sprains; also used for neuralgia
and earache.
- Rubbed over ringworm for soothing effect.
- In WWI, fresh raw juice was used as antiseptic for control of wound suppuration.

Bayabas (Psidium guajava Linn.)

- Well known for its edible fruit.
- Fruit can be eaten raw or canned, jellied, juiced or powdered.
- Ripe fruit is eaten as vegetable and used as seasoning for native dishes, like sinigang,
etc.
- Very high in vitamin C (80 mg in 100 gm of fruit) with large amounts of vitamin A.

Lagundi (Vitex negundo Linn.)

Leaves used in aromatic baths; also as insectifuge.
- Vapor bath prepared with the plant used for treatment of febrile, catarrhal, and
rheumatic affections.
- Decoction of leaves used as warm bath by women suffering with after-pains in the
puerperal period. It is also used as baths for new born children.
- Seeds are boiled in water and eaten or the water drunk to prevent the spread of toxin
from bites of poisonous animals.
- Infusion of seeds used for disinfecting wounds and ulcers.
- Infusion of seeds in wine used for dropsy.
- Pounded leaves applies on the forehead and temples for headaches.
- Leaf decoction for fever, headache, toothache, cough, asthma.

Luya (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

- One of the most popular flavoring agents.
- Used as flavoring for confectioneries, ginger ale, ginger beer, ginger champagnes, and
other beverages.
- Tahu or salabat, a native beverage, is prepared from the rhizomes.
- A prominent condiment in Filipino cuisine.
- Taken with rock salt before meals is cleansing to the tongue and throat and increases
the appetite.
- In Malaya fresh ginger is an important ingredient in curry.

Mayana (Plectranthus scutellarioides (L.) R. Br. )

-In the Philippines, pounded leaves used as a cure for headaches, applied to the
temples or nape of the neck. Also used for healing bruises.
-Decoction taken internally for dyspepsia and for wasting away.
-Decoction used as eyedrops for ophthalmia and conjunctivitis.
-Bruises and sprains: Crush or pound 10-12 leaves and apply over the ankles, wrists or
affected areas for 30 minutes, three times daily. Use a bandage to hold the poultice in
place.

Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica Linn.)

- Anthelmintic: Dried seeds preferable for deworming.
- Adults: Dried nuts-chew 8 to 10 small- to medium-sized dried nuts two hours after a
meal, as a single dose, followed by a half glass of water. If fresh nuts are used, chew
only 4-5 nuts. Hiccups occur more frequently with the use of fresh nuts.
- Children 3-5 years old: 4-5 dried nuts; 6 - 8 years old: 5-6 dried nuts; 9-12 years old: 6-
7 dried nuts.
- Roasted seeds for diarrhea and fever.
- Plant used as a cough cure.
- Leaves applied to the head to relieve headaches.
- Pounded leaves externally for skin diseases.
- Decoction of boiled leaves used for dysuria.
- Ifugao migrants use it for headache.
- Ripe seeds roasted and used for diarrhea and fever.

Pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth)

- Infusion and decoction of leaves and stems are used for gout and arthritis.
- Decoction of leaves used for urinary tract infections.
- Externally, as a facial rinse for complexion problems.
- In Ayurveda, used to pacify vitiated cough, pitta, constipation, kidney diseases, urinary
retention, dysuria, urinary tract infection, emaciation, edema and general weakness.

Pandan (Pandanus tectorius Parkinson ex Du Roi)

- Diuretic: Take decoction of fresh or dried prop root as tea.
- Roots used to strengthen the gums.
- In the Philippines, as far back as 1837, water from cuts made near the base of the
trunk use to stimulate urination.
Headache, arthritis, stomach spasms: Decoction of leaves.
- Poultice of fresh leaves mixed with oil also used for headaches.
- Wound healing: Pulverized dried leaves used to facilitate wound healing.
- Poultice of mash of cabbage of plant, mixed with salt and juice of Citrus microcarpa,
for abscesses.
- Decoction of roots believed to have aphrodisiac and cardiotonic properties.
- Also used for arthritis and to prevent spontaneous abortion.
- Chewing the roots strengthens the gums.

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera (Linn.) DC.)

- Leaves as poultice for abscesses.
- Decoction of roots and leaves for fevers, kidney stones, and cystitis.
- Decoction of leaves used to induced diuresis for purpose of treating kidney stones.
- Sitz-bath of boiled leaves, 500 gms to a gallon of water, for rheumatic pains of waist
and back.
- Used in upper and lower respiratory tract affections like sinusitis, asthmatic bronchitis,
influenza.
- Applied while hot over the sinuses. Used for wounds and cuts. Uses fresh juice of
leaves to wounds and cuts.
- Poultice of leaves applied to the forehead for relief of headaches.
- Tea is used for colds and as an expectorant; likewise, has antispasmodic and
antidiarrheal benefits. It is for postpartum baths.

Tanglad (Andropogon citratus DC.)

- Diarrhea: Boil 10 leaves in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes; add a tablespoon of
sugar and one small piece of crushed ginger.
- For adults: 1 cup, 3 times daily and after each loose bowel movement.
- Children: (Babies) 1 tablespoon 3 times daily and after each loose bowel movement;
2-6 years, 1/4 cup 3 times daily and after each loose bowel movement; 7-12 years, 1/2
cup three times daily and after each loose bowel movement.
- Suob: One of the 10 herbal ingredients in the decoction/bath in the post-partum ritual
of suob.
- Hot decoction of roots used for toothaches.
- Roots also used as a diuretic.
- Leaves used for aromatic baths.

Tsaang gubat Carmona retusa (Vahl.) Masam.

- Leaf decoction or infusion for abdominal colic, cough, diarrhea and dysentery.
- Root decoction used as an antidote for vegetable poisoning.
- For diarrhea: Boil 8 tbsp of chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes; strain
and cool. Use 1/4 of the decoction every 2 or 3 hours. Decoction has also been used as
a dental mouthwash.
- Decoction of leaves used as disinfectant wash after childbirth.
- In Sri Lanka, used for diabetes: 50 gm of fresh leaves or roots are chopped; 100 cc of
water is added, and 120 cc of juice is extracted by squeezing, and given once or twice
daily.
Herba buena (Mentha arvensis Linn.)
- Cultivated as a spice for cooking.
- Leaves used for tea.
- Used in salads to provide flavor.
- Used as a flavoring in confections and dentrifices.