Medicinal Plants in the Philippines

Common Medicinal Plants in the Philippines

By CYRIL CONSTANTINO

• wounds,

• cure diseases, and

• ease troubled minds.

People on all continents have long used hundreds, if not thousands, of indigenous plants, for treatment of various ailments dating back to prehistory.

The plants that possess therapeutic properties or exert beneficial pharmacological or therapeutic effect on the human or animal body are known as Medicinal plants.

Department of Health (DOH) - “Traditional Health Program”

Ten (10) medicinal plants

All ten (10) plants/herbs have been thoroughly tested and have been clinically proven to have medicinal value in the relief and treatment of various ailments.

Multiple Choice

It is also known as

“bayabas-bayabasan” and “ringworm

bush” in English, this herbal medicine

is used to treat ringworms and skin

fungal infections.

• Guava

• Acapulco

• Garlic

Multiple Choice

It is known in English as the “5-leaved

chaste tree”. It’s main use is for the

relief of coughs and asthma.

• Lagundi

• Acapulco

• Sambong

Multiple Choice

Prepared like tea, this herbal medicine is effective in treating intestinal motility and also used as a mouthwash since the leaves of this shrub have high fluoride content.

• Sambong

• Lagundi

• Tsaang Gubat

Multiple Choice

Used as an analgesic to relieve body aches and pain. It can be taken internally as a decoction or externally by pounding the leaves and applied directly on the afflicted area.

• Sambong

• Yerba Buena

• Tsaang Gubat

Multiple Choice

It is a vine known as “Chinese honeysuckle”. It is effective in the elimination of intestinal worms, particularly the Ascaris and Trichina.

• Niyog niyugan

• Acapulco

• Sambong

Multiple Choice

Also known as “bitter gourd” or “bitter

melon” in English, it is most known as

a treatment of diabetes (diabetes

mellitus), for the non-insulin

dependent patients.

• Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)

• Lagundi

• Tsaang Gubat

Multiple Choice

It mainly reduces cholesterol in the blood

and hence, helps control blood

pressure.

• Garlic

• Lagundi

• Tsaang Gubat

Multiple Choice

It's English name is Blumea camphora. A diuretic that helps in the excretion of urinary stones. It can also be used as an edema.

• Pansit pansitan

• Lagundi

• Sambong

Multiple Choice

It is primarily

used as an antiseptic, to disinfect

wounds. Also, it can be used as a

mouthwash to treat tooth decay and

gum infection.

• Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)

• Lagundi

• Guava (Bayabas)

Multiple Choice

It is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The

leaves can be eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea.

• Ulasimang bato

• Lagundi

• Guava (Bayabas)

Tips on Handling Medicinal Plants

• 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.

Tips on Handling Medicinal Plants

• 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 for up to six months.​

1. Use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh parts like leaves when using dried parts.

2. Do not use stainless steel utensils when boiling decoctions. Only use earthen, enamelled, glass or similar utensils. ​

3. As a rule of thumb, when boiling leaves and other plant parts, do not cover the pot, and boil in low flame.​

Tips on Preparation for Intake of Herbal Medicines:

4. Decoctions lose potency after some time. Dispose of decoctions after one day. To keep fresh during the day, keep lukewarm in a flask or thermos.

5. Always consult with a doctor if symptoms persist or if any sign of allergic reaction develops​

Tips on Preparation for Intake of Herbal Medicines:

Answer the valuing of Module 6

​Performance Task #3

Module 6:

Activity 1 Medicinal Plants Analogy

Activity 2​ AcrossDown of Medicinal Plants

​Answer the following activities:

Things to accomplish:

​Written Works #2

Summative Test ​