AKAPULKO

Akapulko or Acapulco in English is a shrub found throughout the

Philippines. It is known under various names in different regions in the country. Locals call
the plant katanda, andadasi, and palochina inTagalog, Ilocos and in the Visayas regions,
respectively. The shrub belongs to the family ofLeguminosae, 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.

AMPALAYA

Ampalaya (Bitter Melon) with a scientific name 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 ampalayas 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.

BAWANG

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.

BAYABAS

ayabas or guava is a tropical plant, which is locally known for its

edible fruit. In the backyards of Filipino homes in the country, this plant is commonly seen,
and grown because of its many uses as fruit and as traditional remedy to treat
various ailments. As shown by many research studies, almost all of the parts of this plant
have medicinal qualities and value, and thus, making it as one of the most popular
therapeutic plants in the Philippines. Bayabas is a small tree that can grow up to 3 meters
tall with greenish-brownish smooth bark. The round globular bayabas fruit starts as a flower
and is usually harvested and eaten while still green. The fruit turns yellowish-green and soft
when ripe.

LAGUNDI

agundi (scientific name: Vitex negundo) is a large

native shrub that grows in the Philippines and has been traditionally used as
herbal medicine. The Philippine Department of Health has conducted
research and study for Lagundi and has suggested that the lagundi plant has
a number verifiable therapeutic value.