Lemon grass or the local tanglad (Scientific name: Cymbopogon ciatrus) It is one of those wondrous herbs that one

can always associate with Asian cooking Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese homegrown meal enthusiasts always have this tropical grass at hand for its aromatic citrus flavor with a trace of ginger. Few people know that its other popular name is citronella the common scent you usually find in candles, perfumes and soaps.

Avocado fruits They are getting very popular anywhere in the world. Throughout the year, you can find avocado in your nearby supermarkets. Avocado is sometimes called avocado pear or alligator pear, and Aguacate Palta in Spanish. The world, especially in developing countries, is trying to adapt avocado as one of substitutes to cope for the shortage of nutritious food production. Avocado is one of the most recommended fruits as well as a food for bodybuilding and medicine for cholesterol-related heart diseases.

Malunggay leaves It was once considered a poor mans vegetables but now it is known as a miracle tree or natures medicine cabinet by scientists and health care workers from around the world because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be an effective remedy against many kinds of ailments. All parts of the malunggay tree are usable for nutritional and medicinal purposes from the roots, trunk, and branches to the leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Sacred lotus It is very large perennial water herb growing vertically to about 150 cm. The prickly leaf stalk develop 30-60cm and the blades 40-90 cm long. On the top, the spongy top-shaped receptacle cavities( up to 12 big holes) hold smooth, black, egg-shaped oval shaped, about 2 cm long ripe carpel (fruit and seed in one). In the Philippines, it is abundant in shallow lakes and marshes and cultivated as pond ornamentals. For medicinal use, all parts are utilized.

Common or Sweet Basil It is an annual herb which grows to an erect length of about 3 feet high is cultivated worldwide as a flavoring herb in many cuisines. The leaves of balanoy or common basil which emit a spicy, clovelike aroma are oval-shaped, dark green beneath and have slightly-toothed edges. The stem is obtusely quadrangular, the labiate flowers are either white or purple and are peculiar in having two lips.

Duhat A duhat tree is about 8 to 14 meters high with white branchlets and reddish young shoots. Leaves are broad-tipped, opposite, shiny and leathery, ellipitic, 6 to 15 cm long. Flowers, small, pinkish, in clusters, petal arranged to form a cup. Duhat is a fruit tree found mostly wild throughout the Philippines. Duhat seeds are known for the treatment of diabetes, as are the leaves and the juice from the fruit. The bark is astringent and in decoction is used as a mouthwash and as a gargle for ulcerations of the mouth.

Kalabasa (Squash) - Stimulates pancreas function, helping to regulate sugar levels in the blood. - Collaborate in the removal of mucus in the lungs, bronchial and throat. - Helps strengthen the immune system for its richness in antioxidants. - Its juice is a good laxative and detoxifying the body. - Its high content of beta carotene and alphacarotene, reduced the risk posed by prostate cancer and heart disease. - Helping in the treatment of cataracts, as these patients often have low levels of beta and alphacarotene.

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum Linn.) USES: Root decoction for fevers, Leaves for poulticing, Bark used as astringent for tongue maladies, Fruit used for dysentery and as warm carminative in dyspepsia, Fruit decoction used for diarrhea and dysentery, In Malaya, astringent bark is used as remedy for thrush. Decoction of roots taken as febrifuge.

Acacia (Samanea saman Merr.) USES: Acute bacillary dysentery, enteritis, diarrhea: use 15 to 30 gms dried material in decoction. Also for colds, sore throat, headache. A decoction of the inner bark or fresh cambium and leaves is used to treat diarrhea. Anaphylactic dermatitis, eczema, skin pruritus: use decoction of fresh material and apply as external wash. Latex used as gum arabic for gluing. Root decoction used in hot baths for stomach cancer. In the West Indies, the leaf infusion is used as a laxative and seeds chewed for sore throat. The alcoholic extract of leaves used for tuberculosis.

Kalamansi (Citrus microcarpa) Aromatic bath: Mix juice with gogo. Cough, colds and sore throat: Drink warm kalamansi-ade. Nausea and fainting: Squeeze rind near nostril to inhale. Applied externally for itching. In Malaysia, used as an antidote for poison. Poultice of pandanus leaves, mixed with salt and juice of citrus microcarpa, for abscesses. In Malaya, combined with pepper to help expel phlegm. Root used at childbirth.

Kamatsile (Pithecellobium dulce) Frequent bowel movements: Decoction of bark taken as tea. The leaves, when applied as plasters, used for pain, venereal sores. Salted decoction of leaves, for indigestion; also used as abortifacient. Bark used in dysentery, dermatitis and eye inflammation. In Brazil, P. avaremotem, used as a cancer elixir.

Katuray (Sesbania grandiflora Linn.) Juice of the root, mixed with honey, used as an expectorant. Decoction of the bark used for hemoptysis. Infusion of the bark given for smallpox and other eruptive fevers. Juice of leaves and flowers used for nasal catarrh and headaches. Juice of flowers as snuff to clear the sinuses. Poultice of leaves for bruises.

Kape (Coffea arabica Linn.) Infusion or decoction of roasted coffee leaves as a stimulant. Some prefer the leaf to the berry. An important alkaloid used as a stimulant for the nervous system and circulation. In traditional Indian medicine, coffee is a palliative in spasmodic asthma, whooping cough, delirium tremens. Used as a diuretic in dropsy.

Katakataka (Bryophyllum pinnatum) Pounded fresh material is applied as a poultice for a variety of conditions: Sprains, eczema, infections, burns; carbuncle and erysipelas. Usually not taken internally. For boils, the whole leaf is pressed by hand, to and fro, until it becomes moist with the leaf extract. A small opening is made in the middle of the leaf which is then placed on the boil with hole over the pointing of the abscess.

Kasuy (Anacardium occidentale) Astringent and mouth wash: Gargle dilute infusion of bark and leaves and retain in mouth for a few minutes to relieve toothache, sore gums, or sore throat. Do not swallow. Decoction of bark used for diarrhea. Infusion of bark and leaves is astringent, used to relieve toothaches and sore gums, and as a lotion and mouthwash.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) Poultice of leaves for variety of cutaneous problems. Infusion of flowers used as galactagogue. Plants used as emetic and cathartic.

Tawa-tawa (Grammatophyllum scriptum(Linn.) Blume) Paste of pseudobulb put on sores or applied to the stomach to expel worms and malignant tumors. Macerated orchid used for treating aphthae. Used as part of diet for dysentery. In the Moluccas, the seeds have been added to a woman's food to cast a love spell and ensnare her for life.

Paminta (Piper nigrum) Decoction used as mouthwash for toothache; rubifacient in alopeicia and skin diseases. Liniment used in rheumatism. Infusion used as gargle for afflictions of the throat. Juice of leaves boiled and applied externally for scabies. Ointment mixed with lard used againsst Tinea capitis. Mixed with brandy and anise, used as a febrifuge in malaria. Used in shellfish and mushroom poisoning.

Mixed with honey and ginger, used by Malay as abortifacient. Roots used as antihelmintic.

Kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi) Skin diseases, especially with pruritus: Reduce the leaves to a paste and apply tolerably warm to areas of affected skin. Fruit juice used as eye drops. Post-partum and rectal inflammation: Infusion of leaves. Mumps, acne, and localized rheumatic complaints: Paste of leaves applied to affected areas. Warm paste of leaves also used for pruritus. Used for boils, piles, rheumatism, cough, hypertension, whooping cough, mumps and pimples.

Palmira (Borassus flabellifer) Decoction used for gonorrhea and respiratory ailments. Leaf juice used for hiccups, gastric ailments. Bloom on base of leaves used as styptic for external wounds. Juice from flowering stalks used for diabetes.

 Used with rice as a poultice, fermented, and used for gangrenous and indolent ulcers and abscesses.

Kakaw/Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Eczema, dry skin: Roast 10-12 seeds and pound ; apply to affected areas as poultice after a warm compress. Root decoction used as emmenagogue (promotes or stimulates menstrual flow) and ecbolic (promotes labor by stimulating uterine contractions.