The early 90's seemed hopeful for the merging of western and alternative medicine in the Philippines.

There was a burgeoning global movement towards alternative therapies, a new-age allure for "natural"
remedies; and in the Philippines, the beginnings of herbal medicinal research & development. In 1992,
during the term of Juan Flavier as Secretary of Health, a brochure of 10 medicinal plants (akapulko,
ampalaya, bawang, bayabas, lagundi, niyog-niyogan, pansit-pansitan, sambong, tsaang-gubat, yerba
buena) for common health problems was published and commercial production was pursued. In 1997, the
TAMA (Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act) was passed, providing a legitimizing boost to the
alternative medicine movement in the Philippines.

The internet is testament to the exploding global alternative movement, the rush for the green, the
herbal and the natural, with cybermarts glutted with the latest in noni juices, virgin oils, new and
improved erectile naturaceuticals, new, re-discovered, or recycled treatment modalities, embellished
with come-on components of qi, magnets, gems, or herbs in all of its various forms - extracts, powders,
capsules, tablets and teas - some profusely laden with testimonials, catering to or preying on the needs
of the new-age and the aging urban and burgis markets.

It is uncertain how this global-cyber-alternative-rush will trickle down to benefit the rural poor who has
always relied on alternative modalites and healers and wild-crafted herbal plants as mainstay therapies
for its sundry of healthcare needs. While it has gained in-roads into the alternative commerce of urban-
burgis markets, alas, but its a long way from the impoverished rural dirt roads.

The "rolling stores" with its promise of affordable and accessible herbal medications - together with day-
to-day commodities and needs - to the indigenous populace was a short-lived political play, palaver and
politicalfanfare for the expectant "masa" that sputtered and stalled on first gear.

We have a very diverse flora, with about 1,500 of over 13,000 species with identified medicinal value. A
$100-million global market for medicinal plants has caused renewed interest. Yes, it will be a great
opportunity for private enterprise. Alas, for the poor. These capsules, tablets, ointment and teas will
never be affordable.
Research and development of herbal medicinal plants and the commercial production of some have not
made any measurable benefits to the impoverished rural poor. The commerce and trade remains in the
profit-fueled markets of urban and suburban milieu.

There continues the difficult divide between the practitioner of western medicine and the advocates of
alternative medicine. For the most part, the "old" medical establishment continues to present an
unyielding front, big-city practitioners far removed from the economics and realities of rural life and
health care, suspicious and derisive of non-allopathic modalities, denigrating the practice of alternative
medicine to the hilots and albularyos.

And, so goes herbal medicinal plants, denigrated to medical bags of albularyos and the hand-me-down
use of many of the rural folk.
Alas, such a waste.
The study of Philippine medicinal plants may well provide the crossroad for a merging of allopathic and
alternative medicine. The rural areas provide a hexiological environment for the study of herbal
therapies and other alternative modalities. Studies in search for scientific validity involves only a handful
of the more than 1500 species of plants with medicinal value: Lagundi for cough and asthma; sambong as
a diuretic and to prevent kidney stones; tsaang gubat for abdominal pains and as antimotility agent;
yerba buena for fever and body aches; niyog-niyogan for ascariasis (antihelminthic); bayabas for wound
disinfection (antiseptic); akapulko for skin (antifungal) infections; ulasimang-bato for arthritis and gout;
bawang to lower cholesterol; and ampalaya for diabetes mellitus.

Philippine pharmacopeia released in 2004 lists 30 crude

plant drugs that has been in study for potential benefits: Dita bark, sinta herb, kintsay leaf, sampaguita
flower, ipil-ipil seeds, makahiya herb, apatot fruit, malunggay bark, ikmo leaf, paminta, oregano leaf,
mayana leaf, granada rind, romero leaf, akasya leaf, duhat bark, sampalok pulp, makabuhay stem, ginger
and banaba.
Ai syn: Shen-ai, hsi-ai (fine mugwort); DAMONG MARIA Artemisia vulgaris Linn.
Ch'en P'i DARANGHITA Citrus reticulata Blanco
Chia-chu-t'ao syn: Chiu-chieh chung (nine swollen nodes); ADELFA Nehrium indicum
Chiang-t'i LUYA Zingiber officinale Rose
Ch'iang-wei mei syn: K'ung-hsin t'eng (hollow vine); SAGMIT Rubus rosaefolius
Chiao-ch'uang syn: Chuang-yuan ts'ao (highest Hanlin scholar grass); Rubus rosaefolius
Chi-hsueh Ts'ao syn: K'ou-tzu ts'ao (button grass) TAKIP KOHOL Centella asiatica Linn.
Chih-tzu syn: Huang chih-tzu (yellow gardenia) ROSAL Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.
Chin-kuo Lan-sui syn: Ti-tan (earth egg); LAGTANG Tinospora capillipes
Chin-yen Hua syn: Yen hua t'eng (silver-flower vine); JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE Lonicera japonica
Ch'e-ch'ien syn: Chu erh-to (hog's ear); LANTING Plantago major
Ch'ien-chin T'eng syn: Shan wu-k'uei (mountain black turtle); MALABUTA Stephania
hernandifolia
Ch'in-chiu LIMANG-SUGAT Justicia gendarussa Linn.
Ch'ing Chu syn: Wei-hsieh (withering leaf); IKMO Piper betle Linn.
Ch'ing-kuo PILI Canarum album
Ch'ing-tai TINATINAAN Indigofera tinctoria Linn.
Ch'i-yeh Lien syn: O-chang ch'ai (goosefoot wood); GALAMAI Schefflera arboricola Hyata
Chiu-li Kuang syn: Yeh chu-hua (wild daisy ); LANOT Senecio scandens
Ch-ueh-ming tzu syn: Ts'ao Ch-ueh-ming KATANDA Cassia tora Linn.
Chu-ma syn: Ch'ing-ma (blue nettle) pai-mi (white nettle); RAMIE Boehmeria nivea Linn.
Chuan Pai syn: Chiu-ming wang (life-saver king); PAKONG TULOG Selagenella tamariscina
Fei-yang Ts'ao syn: Ju-chih ts'ao (milk herb); GATAS GATAS Euphorbia hirta L.
Hai-chin-sha syn: Yin-chin t'eng (sinew hardening vine); NITONG PULA Lygodium japonicum
Hei Chih-ma LINGA Sesamum indicum
Hei Mu-erh syn: Mu erh (wood ears), yun-erh (cloud ears) TAINGAN-DAGA Auricularia auricula-
judae
Ho-tzu KOMINTANA Terminalia chebula Retz.
Hsi Ch'ien PUT Siegesbeckia orientalis Linn.
Hsi Ts-ao syn: Hung hsi-ts-ao (red madder); MANKIT Rubia cordifolia
Hsiang-fu syn: T'ien-t'ou ts'ao (field sedge) MUTHA Cyperus rotundus Linn.
Hsiao-hui syn: Hsiao-hui-hsiang (fragrant fennel); ANIS Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Hsien Mao syn: Tu-chiao hsien-mao; TALOANGI Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.
Hsien-niu KAMOKAMOTIHAN Ipomoea nil Roth.
Huang Ching syn: Chiang ts'ao (sauce grass); LAGUNDI Vitex negundo Linn.
Huang-hua syn: Hung lan-hua (red orchid); KASUBHA Carthamus tinctorius Linn.
Huang Tu syn: Huang-yao-tzu (yellow kidney); UBI-UBIHAN Dioscorea bulbifera Linn.
Hu-chia PAMINTA Piper nigrum Linn.
Hu-lu UPO Lagenaria vulgaris
I-chi-kao syn: fei-t-ien wu-sung (sky flying centipede); luan-t-oufa (unkept hair) MILFOIL
Achillea sibirica Ledeb.
I-chi-Huang-hua syn: Huang-hua ts'ao (yellow-flowered grass); TANTANDUK Solidago virgaurea
I-I syn: Niao-chu-tzu (urine pearl); ADLAI Coix lachryma-jobi Linn.
Kou-chi syn: Mao kou-erh (hairy puppy); BORABOR Cibotium barometz Linn.
Ku-ya PALAI Oryza sativa Linn.
K'u chi syn: Hsiang-ling ts'ao (tinkling bell grass); PANTUG PANTUGAN Physalis pubescens Linn.
K'u Lien syn: Tz'u-hua shu (purple flower tree); PARAISO Melia azedarach Linn.
Lai-fu-tzu Ts-ao LABANOS Raphanus sativus Linn.
La-liao Ts'ao syn: Hung la-liao (red smartweed); BUDING Polygonum hydropiper Linn.
Lien-tzu BAINO Nolumbo nucifera alba Linn.
Lu syn: Luken, wei-ken (roots of bullrushes); TAMBO Phragmites communis
Lung Kuei syn: Yeh la-chiaw (wild pepper); Lubi-lubi Solanum nigrum Linn.
Man-t'ien-hsing syn: P'ien'ti ch'ing (green groundcover); KANAPA Hydrocotyle rotundifolia
Man-t'-o-lo Tu syn: Nao-yang hua (goat-provoking flower), la-pa hua (trumpet flower); TALONG
PUNAI Datura metel
Mao Ken KOGON Imperata cylindrica
Mao-kao Ts'ai syn: Ti-hsia chen-chu (imderground pearl) BAIN Drosera peltata
Ma-ch'ih Hsien syn: Lao-shu erh (mouse's ear); OLASIMAN Portulaca oleraceo L.
Ma-pien Ts'ao syn: Lung-ya ts'ao (dragon teeth grass); VERBENA Verbena officinalis L.
Ma-ying Tan syn: Ts'ou-ts'ao (stink grass); KANTUTAY Lantana camara L.
Mu Chin syn: Chao-k'ai mu-lo (morning-opening-and-evening-close); GUMAMELANG-ASUL Hibiscus
syriacus L.
Mu Lan syn: Yeh lan-chih-tzu (wild blue twigs); TINA-TINAAN Indigofera tinctoria L.
Mu Pi syn: Y'u mu-pi, mu-pieh-tzu; PATOLANG-UAK Momordica cochinchinesis
No-tao Ken PALAI Oryza sativa L.
O-pu-sh'ih syn: Chin ti-lo (brocade carpet); HARANGAN Centipeda minima Linn.
Pa-chi-t'ien ULASIMANG ASO Bacopa monniera
Pa-so Ma syn: Ch'ou ts'ao (stink weed); SAUKO Sambucus javanica Reinw.
Pa-tou TUBA Croton tiglium L.
Pai-chu Shu syn: Man-shan hsiang (whole mountain fragrant); Idsa Gaultheria cumingiana Vidal
Pai-hua She-she Ts'ao syn: She-chen ts'ao (snake-needle grass); ULASIMAN KALAT Oldenlandia
diffusa Willd.
Pai-niu Tan syn: Pai-mien feng (white-faced wind); DAMONG-MABAHO Inula cappa DC.
Pien-tou (Pai-pien-tou) BATAU Dolichos lablab
Pin-lang BUNGA Arecha catechu Linn.
P'i-li syn: Mu-lien (wood lotus); CREEPING FIG Ficus pumila L.
P'i-ma syn: Hung p'i (red castor bean), ta ma-tzu ('cannabis'); TANGAN-TANGAN Ricinus
communis Linn.
Po-ho syn: Lung-nao po-ho (camphor mint); HIERBA BUENA Mentha arvensis L.
Po-hsi syn: Chin-kang t'eng (study vine); SARSAPARILANG-CHINA Smilax china Linn.
P'u-ti Wu-sung syn: Shen-chin ts'ao (sinew extending herb); LAMON BABAE Lycopodium cernuum
L.
Sang Chih AMORAS Morus alba Linn.
Shan-Yao syn: Tzu-t'i chi (purple ladder); UBI-UBIHAN Dioscorea batatas
She-kan syn: Lao-chun shan (the lord's fan) ABANICO Belamcanda chinensis Linn.
Shih-chun-tzu NIOG-NIOGAN Quisqualis indica Linn.
Shu-ch'u Ts'ao syn: Shu-erh ts'ao (rat's ear grass); BADOK Gnaphalium multiceps Wall.
Shui Ch'ang-p'u syn: Pai ch'ang-p'u (white calamus); LUBIGAN Acorus calamus L.
Shui Lung syn: Kuo-t'ang she (pond-crossing snake); SIGANG-DAGAT Jussiaea repens L.
Suan (Hsiao Suan) (garlic); BAUANG Allium sativum
Ta Fu-p'i BUNGA Areca catechu L.
Ta Hui syn: Pa-chiao hyu-hsiang; SANKE Illicium anisatum
Ta Tou syn: Hei-tou; UTAU Glycine max Merr.
Ti Huang syn: Sheng-ti-huang (crude figwort); ULASIMANG ASO Rehmannia glutinosa Gaertn.
Ti Tan-t'ou syn: Ts'ao hsieh-ti (straw sandals); DILA DILA Elephantopus scaber Linn.
T'u Ching-chieh syn: Hu-ku hsiang (fragrant tiger bones); ALPASOTIS Chenopodium ambrosiodes
L.
Tou-ch-ih UTAU Glycine max
Tsa-chiang Ts'ao syn: Huang-hua ts'ao (yellow-flower grass); TAINGAN-DAGA Oxalis corniculata
Linn.
Tung-kua P'i syn: Tung-kua-jen; KONDOL Beningcasa hispida
Tzu Hui syn: Wu-chao chin-lung (five-claw golden dragon); MELENDRES Lagerstroemia indica
Linn.
Tz'u Hsien-ts'ai syn: Yeh hsien-ts'ai (wild amaranth) URAI Amaranthus spinosus Linn.
Wang Kua syn: T'o-kua (local gourd); MELON-MELONAN Trichosanthes cucumeroides
Wu-shui Ko TUIA Pouzolzia zeylanica
Yang-t'i Ts'ao syn: I-tien hung (a-drop-of-red); TAGULINAW Emilia sonchiflolia Linn.
Yeh Chu-hua syn: Chin-ch'ien chu (golden-coin chrysanthemum); MANSANILLA Chrysanthemum
indicum Linn.
Yuan-sui syn: Yen sui-ts'aw (banquet coriander); KULANTRO Coriandrum sativum Linn.
Yu-chin DILAU Curcuma longa Linn.
Philippine Medicinal Plants

This list provides common medicinal plants in the Philippines. There are many other Philippine medicinal
plants, herbs and trees found in the country but are actually rarely used as herbal medicine. These are
the more widely used and popular medicinal plants:

Akapulko (scientific name: Cassia alata) - a shrub known to be a diuretic, sudorific and purgative. The
medicinal uses of akapulko are to treat fungal infection of the skin and for the treatment of ringworms.
English name: ringworm bush.
Ampalaya (scientific name: Momordica charantia) - a vegetable used to treat diabetes (diabetes
mellitus) it is now commercially produced in tablet form and tea bags. English name: bitter melon and
bitter gourd.
Atis (scientific name: Anona squamosa L.) - a small tree used as a medicinal herb. The leaves, fruit and
seeds are used in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and fainting. English name: Sugar apple and
Sweet sop.
Banaba (scientific name: Lagerstroemia speciosa) - a tree found throughout the Philippines. The leaves,
roots, fruit and flowers all have medicinal uses. It is used in the treatment of diabetes and other
ailments. It is a purgative and a diuretic.
Bawang (scientific name: Allium sativum) - a specie of the onion family. English name: Garlic. It is used
to reduce cholesterol in the blood and thus helps lower blood pressure.
Bayabas (scientific name: Psidium guajava) - more popularly known as guava, bayabas is a small tree
whose boiled leaves are used as an disinfectant to treat wounds. The decoction is also used as a mouth
wash to treat gum infection and tooth decay. The bark is also used in children with chronic diarrhea.
Gumamela (scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn) - called China rose or Hibiscus in the West, it is
a common ornamental plant in the Philippines. As a medicinal herb, it is used as an expectorant for
coughs, cold, sore throat, fever and bronchitis.
Lagundi (scientific name: Vitex negundo) - one of the better known of the medicinal plants in the
Philippines, lagundi (five-leaved chaste tree) is a shrub with many medicinal uses. It is used for the relief
and treatment of coughs, asthma, dyspepsia, worms, colic, rheumatism and boils. The root is known to
be an expectorant, tonic and febrifuge.
Luya (scientific name: Zingiber officinale) or Ginger. It is botanically not a root but a rhizome of the
monocotyledonous perennial plant. It has many uses as a medicinal herb with antifungal, anti-
inflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, diuretic and antiseptic properties.
Niyog-niyogan (scientific name: Quisqualis indica L.) - is a vine that is an effective in the elimination of
intestinal worms, particularly the Trichina and Ascaris by ingesting its matured dried seeds. Chew (5 to 7
dried seeds for children or 8 to 10 seeds for adults) two hours after eating. Repeat treatment after a
week if necessary. Roasted leaves are also used for fever and diarrhea while pounded leaves are used for
skin diseases. English name: Chinese honey suckle.
Oregano (scientific name: Origanum vulgare) - a perennial herb with antioxidant and antimicrobial
properties. Commonly used for cooking in the West, it is used as a medicinal plant in the Philippines. A
decoction of oregano leaves is taken internally for the prevention of degenerative arthritis, relief of
cough, osteoarthritis, asthma and upset stomach.
Pansit-Pansitan (scientific name: Peperomia pellucida Linn.) - an herb used to treat arthritis, gout, skin
disorders, abdominal pains and kidney problems. It is applied to the skin as poultice or as a decoction
when taken internally.
Sabila (Aloe barbadensis miller liquid) - one of the most common medicinal plants in the Philippines that
can be found in many Filipino homes. It is a succulent plant used to treat burns, cuts, eczema and other
disorders. Aloe vera has antiviral, antifungal, antibiotic, antioxidant and antiparasitic properties.
Sambong (scientific name: Blumea balsamifera) - a Philippine medicinal plant used to treat kidney
disorders, colds, fever, rheumatism, hypertension and other ailments. As a diuretic, it helps in the
excretion of urinary stones. A decoction of leaves is taken internally for treatment. It can also be used as
an edema. English name: Blumea Camphora.
Tsaang Gubat (scientific name: Ehretia microphylla Lam.) - a shrub prepared like tea, it is now
commercially available in tablets, capsules and tea bags. This medicinal herb is effective in treating
diarrhea, dysentery, gastroenteritis and other stomach ailments. It has high fluoride concentration
making it a good mouth wash for the prevention of tooth decay. English name: Wild Tea.
Ulasimang Bato (scientific name: Peperomia pellucida) - an annual herb also known as "pansit-pansitan".
It is a medicinal herb that is effective in treating gout, arthritis and prevents uric acid build up. A
decoction of the plant is taken internally or the leaves and stem can be eaten fresh as salad. To make a
decoction, boil a cup of washed chopped leaves in 2 cups of water, simmer for about 15 minutes, strain,
let cool. Drink a cup 2 times a day after meals.
Yerba Buena (scientific name: Clinopodium douglasii) - a vine of the mint family, popularly known as
Peppermint. Its analgesic properties make it an ideal pain reliever to alleviate the body's aches and
pains. A decoction of clean leaves is taken internally or externally as a poultice by pounding the leaves
mixed with a little water then applied directly on the afflicted area.
Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) - Although not a medicinal plant, VCO is a product of the coconut tree. VCO is
one of the more popular alternative medicine widely used in the Philippines today. It is taken internally
for various aliments like diabetes to high blood pressure. Topically, VCO is also applied to the skin and
scalp to nourish and heal.

Tips on Handling Medicinal Plants / Herbs:

● If possible, buy herbs that are grown organically - without pesticides.

● Medicinal parts of plants are best harvested on sunny mornings. Avoid picking leaves, fruits
or nuts during and after heavy rainfall.
● Leaves, fruits, flowers or nuts must be mature before harvesting. Less medicinal substances
are found on young parts.
● After harvesting, if drying is required, it is advisable to dry the plant parts either in the oven
or air-dried on screens above ground and never on concrete floors.
● Store plant parts in sealed plastic bags or brown bottles in a cool dry place without sunlight
preferably with a moisture absorbent material like charcoal. Leaves and other plant parts
that are prepared properly, well-dried and stored can be used up to six months.
Tips on Preparation for Intake of Herbal Medicines:

● Use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh parts like leaves when using dried parts.
● Do not use stainless steel utensils when boiling decoctions. Only use earthen, enamelled,
glass or alike utensils.
● As a rule of thumb, when boiling leaves and other plant parts, do not cover the pot, and boil
in low flame.
● Decoctions loose potency after some time. Dispose of decoctions after one day. To keep
fresh during the day, keep lukewarm in a flask or thermos.
● Always consult with a doctor if symptoms persist or if any sign of allergic reaction develops.

Philippine Plants, Fruits & Trees

There are many useful Philippine plants and trees (some are herbal medicines & some are not) both
traditional and non-traditional that employs many Filipinos, generates foreign exchange and help our
economy grow. We have listed here some of the more popular cultivated plants and trees in the
Philippines...featured here is the Tuba-tuba Plant- touted as the best substitute to imported diesel fuel.