10 Herbal Plants Advocated by the Philippine DOH Part 3

Part 3

5. Yerba (Hierba) Buena

Scientific name: Mentha cordifelia
Other Names: Herba Buena (most dialects), Opiz Ablebana (If.), Malipuen (Als.), Hilbas (Dav., Ley.), Peppermint (Eng.), Po-ho (Chin.)

A small multi-branching aromatic herb of the mint family that is known and used as herbal medicine worldwide. . A perennial plant that grows up to 1 meter in height with oblong shaped leaves with toothed margins. Yerba Buena is grown worldwide from North America to Asia. The stem creeps to the ground, and develops roots to form a sprawling, mat-forming perennial. May also be propagated through cuttings. Studies have shown that Yerba Buena contains pulegone, menthol, menthene, menthenone and limonene.

Uses/Preparation:

For Pain in Different Parts of the Body such as Headache, Stomach Ache and Tooth Ache:

Boil chopped leaves in two (2) glasses of water for fifteen (15) minutes. Cool and strain.

   Dried Leaves    Fresh Leaves
   Adult       6 tbsp       4 tbsp
   7-12 yrs  ½ of Adult Dose

Divide decoction into two parts and drink one part (as tea) every three hours.

For Rheumatism, Arthritis and Headache:

Crush fresh leaves and squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with eucalyptus.
For Cough and Cold:

Get about ten (10) fresh leaves and soak in a glass of hot water. Drink as tea. Acts as an expectorant.

For Swollen Gums and Tooth Ache:

Steep six (6) grams of of fresh plant in boiling water for 30 minutes. Use solution as gargle.

For Menstrual and Gas Pain:

Soak a handful of leaves in a glass of boiling water. Drink infusion. It induces menstrual flow and sweating.

For Nausea and Fainting:

Crush leaves and apply at nostrils of patients.

For Insect Bites:

Crush leaves and apply juice on affected part or pound leaves until paste-like, and rub this on affected part.

For Pruritus:

Boil plant alone or with eucalyptus in water. Use decoction as a wash on affected area.

6. Sambong

Scientific Name: Blumea balsamifera
Other Names: Alibhon, Alimon (p. Vis), Kambihon, Lakdanbulan (Vis.), Ayohan, Bulaklak Ga Buen, Kaliban (Tag.), Gintin-gintin, Alibum, Lalakdan, Dalapot, Sob-sob, Subusub, Kambibon, Camphor (Eng.)

A shrub that grows wild in the tropical climate countries such as Philippines, India, Africa and found even in eastern Himalayas. Sambong is widely used as herbal medicine in the Philippines. It is an aromatic shrub, that grows from 1 to 4 meters in height. It is considered  as a weed in some countries and is difficult to eradicate. Sambong  has yellow flowering heads that is 6 mm long. Sambong leaves are green obloid that spreads in a pyramidal pattern. Sambong bears fruits that are ribbed and hairy on top. Sambong fruit has 1 seed. Mature stems are used for planting.

Uses/Preparation:

Anti-edema, Diuretic, Anti-urolithiasis:

Boil chopped leaves in water for fifteen (15) minutes until one glassful remains. Cool and strain.

Dried Leaves Fresh Leaves
   Adult       4  tbsp       6  tbsp
   7-12 yrs      ½ of Adult Dose

Divide decoction into three (3) parts. Drink one part three (3) times a day.

7. Akapulko

Scientific Name: Cassia alata
Other Names: Bayabas-bayabasan, Kapurko, Kantada, Katandang Aso, Pakagonkon, Sonting (Tag.), Andadasi, Andadasi-a dakdako, Andadasi-bugbugtong (Ilk.), Adadasi (Ting.), Ancharasi (Ig.), Andalan (Sul.), Bayabasin, Bibs-bibs (Bik., Tag., Bis.), Kasitas (Bik., Bis.), Sunting, Palo China (Bis.), Pakayomkom Kastila (Pamp.), Ringworm Bush (Eng.)

Akapulko is a shrub that grows wild in the tropical climate of Philippines. It is an erect, shrubby legume with dark green compound leaves. Akapulko leaves have orange rachis that has 16-28 leaflets. Akapulko produces an axis of golden yellow flowers that has 4-winged pods containing 50-60 flattened, triangular seeds. Akapulko flowers are enclosed by yellow-orange bracts that are later shed in time. The Akapulko leaves contain chrysophanic acid, a fungicide that is used to treat fungal infections, like ringworms, scabies and eczema.

Uses/Preparation:

Anti-fungal (Tinea Flava, Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot and Scabies):

Fresh, matured leaves are pounded. Apply as soap to the affected part 1-2 times a day until cured. If symptoms persist or irritation occurs, stop the use and consult your doctor.

To prepare an Akapulko Herbal Ointment, wash fresh leaves and cut in small pieces. Add one glass of cooking oil or coconut oil to one glass of cut fresh leaves. Fry until crispy. Remove from the heat; srain. Cut 2 white candles (Esperma No. 5) into small pieces. In a cooking pot, pour the strained oil together with the candle pieces; stir until the candle has melted. Pour the mixture into a clean container; cover when cool. Apply the Akapulko herbal ointment to affected areas twice daily.