Professional Documents
Culture Documents
College of Nursing
Prepared by: Mark Julius S. Cruz BUCN SN 2012(for
personal use)
S
ambong (Blumea balsamifera) - is an amazing medicinal plant. Coming from the
family of Compositae, it goes by several names locally.. The plant is a strongly aromatic herb
that grows tall and erect. Its height ranges from 1.5 to 3 meters, with stems that grow for up to
2.5 centimeters. It is an anti-urolithiasis and work as a diuretic. It is used to aid the treatment of
kidney disorders. The Sambong leaves can also be used to treat colds and mild hypertension.
Since it is a diuretic, this herbal medicine helps dispose of excess water and sodium (salt) in the
body.
Sambong is one herbal medicine (of ten) approved by the Philippine Department of Health
(DOH) as an alternative medicine in treating particular disorders. This plant possesses a
multitude of properties that make it worthy of the DOH approval. It functions as an astringent
and as an expectorant, and has been found to be anti-diarrhea and anti-spasm. As an astringent,
preparations made of sambong leaves may be used for wounds and cuts. It is also suggested to be
incorporated to post-partum baths, as well as considerable immersion of particular body areas
that are afflicted with pains caused by rheumatism. Its expectorant properties make it as a
popular recommendation to be taken in as tea to treat colds.
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Health Benefits of Sambong:
• A decoction (boil in water) of Sambong leaves as like tea and 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.
Akapulko (Cassia alata) – a shrub found throughout the Philippines. It is known under
various names in different regions in the country. The shrub belongs to the family of
Leguminosae, and grows about one to two meters tall. It has thick branches and the leaves are
embraced with 8 to 20 leaflets that are oblong-elliptical in shape. The flowers of the Akapulko
have oblong sepals, and its fruits are tetragonal, which are also winged and glabrous. A
medicinal herb that contains chrysophanic acid, a fungicide used to treat fungal infections, like
ringworms, scabies, and eczema. Akapulko also contains saponin, a laxative that is useful in
expelling intestinal parasites. Akapulko leaves are also known to be sudorific, diuretic and
purgative, used to treat intestinal problems including intestinal parasites. Akapulko is also used
as herbal medicine to treat bronchitis and asthma. Because of Akapulko’s anti-fungal properties,
it is a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos, and lotions in the Philippines.
The primary part used for herbal purposes are the leaves, although the roots and flowers are also
used for certain preparations with medicinal value. The extracts from the Akapulko plant is
commonly used as an ingredient for lotions, soaps, and shampoos.
• 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 have 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 improvement may be expected after two to three weeks of continuous
application to the affected area(s) where the prepared Akapulko leaves were applied.
Other Names:
bayabas-bayabasan, kapurko, katanda, katandang aso, pakagonkon, sonting , palochina(Tag.);
Ringworm bush or shrub (Engl.), Acapulco (Engl)
Niyog-niyogan is cultivated in greenhouses and can be naturalized in tropical areas. This vine
starts as a shrub about 3-feet tall with branches growing from all directions. The mother shrub
seizes to grow and dies after six months allowing the creeper to rapidly climb walls, trees, and
the like. The branches of niyog-niyogan are filled with oblong-shaped leaves growing on
opposite sides attached to 6mm to 10mm long petioles. The leaves of niyog-niyogan can grow up
to 15cm long and more than 5cm wide with a pointed tip. Its flowers grow in clusters and it
blossoms year-round. Its flowers open at night with five bright red petals and gives out a distinct
perfume. The young flowers of niyog-niyogan start with white-colored petals that turn pink then
red as it matures. It also bears fruits, which can grow up to 3cm long with five angles on its
sides.
The niyog-niyogan plant grows in haste during the rainy season, hence constant pruning is
especially recommended during this time. It is advised to place this plant in spacious areas to
avoid crowding with a temperature of at least 60°F with evenly moistened soil to produce
flowers. Niyog-niyogan can thrive in almost all kinds of soil and can even tolerate moderate
amount of drought in cold seasons.
Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla Lam.) - is one of the 10 herbs that is endorsed the
Philippine Department of Health (DOH) as an antispasmodic for abdominal (stomach) pains.
Tsaang Gubat is a shrub (small tree) that grows (from 1 to 5 meters) abundantly in the
Philippines. In folkloric medicine, the leaves has been used as a disinfectant wash during child
birth, as cure for diarrhea, as tea for general good heath and because Tsaang Gubat has high
fluoride content, it is used as a mouth gargle for preventing tooth decay. The tsaang gubat were
studied for possible anti-allergic subtances to counter the histamine release from mast cells that
cause type-1 reactions. The tsaang-gubat, contains rosmarinic acid and microphyllone which is
attributed for its efficacy to control allergy. Tsaang gubat studies also shows it has antibacterial,
antinocicpetive and anti-inflammatory properties. Study of tsaang gubat leaves showed a
mixture of triterpenes– a-amyrin, ß-amyrin and baurenol and a wide range of bioactivity. The
tsaang gubat showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal and antibacterial activities.
Tsaang Gubat is also knows as: Wild Tea, Forest Tea, Alibungog (Visayas Region), Putputai
(Bicol Region) and Maragued (Ilocos
Region). Scientific name: Ehretia
Microphylla Lam.
Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) - is a climbing vine and the tendrils of which grow up to
20 centimeters long. This herbal plant belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae, and it is a tropical
as well as a subtropical vine. Ampalaya leaves are heart-shaped, which are 5 to 10 centimeters in
diameter. The fruits of the ampalaya vine are fleshy green with pointed ends at length. It can
never be mistaken for any other variety because its ribbed and wrinkled surface had always been
ampalaya’s distinct physical structure. The bitter taste of the ampalaya fruit had also been the
distinguishing factor from the rest of the fruits with medicinal value, and this is due to the
presence of a substance known as momorcidin.
Ampalaya has been a folkloric cure for generations but has now been proven to be an effective
herbal medicine for many ailments. Most significant of which is for Diabetes. The Philippine
variety has proven to be most potent. Ampalaya contains a mixture of flavanoids and alkaloids
make the pancreas produce more insulin by increasing the production of beta cells that controls
the blood sugar in diabetics. Aside from Ampalaya's medicinal value, it is good source of
vitamins A, B and C, iron, folic acid, phosphorous and calcium.
Ampalaya has been for used even by the Chinese for centuries. The effectivity of Ampalaya as
an herbal medicine has been tried and tested by many research clinics and laboratories
worldwide. In the Philippines, the Department of Health has endorsed Ampalaya as an
alternative medicine to help alleviate various ailments including diabetes, liver problems and
even HIV. Aside from these, ampalaya also helps treat skin diseases and cough. Its herbal value
extends to increasing the sterility of women, in parasiticide, antipyretic, and has purgative
functions, as well. Note: In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and
abortifacient.
What is bawang
Bawang or garlic, is a specie in the onion family Alliaceae. Bawang is
a close relative of onion (sibuyas), the shallot, the leek and the chive.
Bawang has been used throughout recorded history for both culinary
and medicinal purposes.
Bawang is a low herb, growing to up to 2 feet high. Bawang is widely
popular for its bulbs. Bawang bulbs are broadly ovoid, 2 to 4 cm in
diameter, consisting of several cloves. Bawang leaves are linear and
flat. Umbels are globose, many flowered. Sepas are oblong, greenish
white, slightly tinged with purple.
Bawang has a characteristic pungent, spicy flavor that mellows and
sweetens considerably with cooking. Bawang cloves are used as seed,
for consumption (raw or cooked), and for medicinal purposes. The
leaves, stems (scape) and flowers (bulbils) on the head (spathe) are
also edible and most often consumed while immature and still tender.
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What is bayabas
Also knows as:
Lagundi availability
Commercially, lagundi can be purchased in the form of syrup or capsules to make it easier to
handle. It is also blended in with cough medicines and other herbal remedies.
Lagundi tablets (300 mg) are available from the Department of Health's Philippine Institute of
Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) Telephone # (632) 727-6199.
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