Herbal Medicines Approved by DOH

1. Akapulko (Cassia alata) – also known as

“bayabas-bayabasan” and “ringworm bush”
in English, this herbal medicine is used to
treat ringworms and skin fungal infections.

Benefits & Treatment of Akapulko:

Preparation & Use:
• External Use:
Treatment of skin diseases: • For external use, pound the leaves of the
Tinea infections, insect bites, ringworms, Akapulko plant, squeeze the juice and apply
eczema, scabies and itchiness. on affected areas.
• Mouthwash in stomatitis
• As the expectorant for bronchitis and
• Internal use: dyspnoea, drink decoction (soak and boil for
Expectorant for bronchitis and dyspnoea 10 to 15 minutes) of Akapulko leaves. The
• Alleviation of asthma symptoms same preparation may be used as a
• Used as diuretic and purgative mouthwash, stringent, and wash for eczema.
• For cough & fever
• As a laxative to expel intestinal parasites • As laxative, cut the plant parts (roots,
and other stomach problems. flowers, and the leaves) into a manageable
size then prepare a decoction Note: The
Note: A strong decoction of Akapulko decoction looses its potency if not used for a
leaves is an abortifacient. Pregnant women long time. Dispose leftovers after one day.
should not take decoction of the leaves or
any part of this plant. • The pounded leaves of Akapulko has
purgative functions, specifically against
ringworms.

It should be noted that the pounded leaves of

this plant may be applied thinly on the
affected part twice a day. Marked
improvement may be expected after two to
three weeks of continuous application to the
affected area(s) where the prepared
Akapulko leaves were applied.

2. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) –

known as “bitter gourd” or “bitter melon” in
English, it most known as a treatment of
diabetes (diabetes mellitus), for the non-
insulin dependent patients.
Note: In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and abortifacient.
Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya: Preparation & Use of Ampalaya:

• Good for rheumatism and gout • For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea,
• And diseases of the spleen and liver diabetes, juice Ampalaya leaves and drink a
• Aids in lowering blood sugar levels spoonful daily.
• Helps in lowering blood pressure • For other ailments, the fruit and leaves can
• Relives headaches both be juiced and taken orally.
• Disinfects and heals wounds & burns • For headaches wounds, burns and skin
• Can be used as a cough & fever remedy diseases, apply warmed leaves to afflicted
• Treatment of intestinal worms, diarrhea area.
• Helps prevent some types of cancer • Powdered leaves, and the root decoction,
• Enhances immune system to fight infection may be used as stringent and applied to treat
• For treatment of hemorrhoids hemorrhoids.
• Is an antioxidant and parasiticide • Internal parasites are proven to be expelled
• Is antibacterial and antipyretic when the ampalaya juice, made from its
leaves, is extracted. The ampalaya juice, and
grounded seeds is to be taken one spoonful
thrice a day, which also treats diarrhea,
dysentery, and chronic colitis.

3. Bawang (Allium sativum) – popularly

known as “garlic”, it mainly reduces
cholesterol in the blood and hence, helps
control blood pressure.

Health Benefits of Bawang-Garlic: • Boosts immune system to fight infection

• With antioxidant properties
• Good for the heart • Cough and cold remedy
• Helps lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) • Relives sore throat, toothache
• Aids in lowering blood pressure • Aids in the treatment of tuberculosis
• Remedy for arteriosclerosis • Helps relieve rheumatism pain
• May help prevent certain types of cancer • With anticoagulant properties

Preparation of Bawang-Garlic:

• For disinfecting wound, crush and juice the caused by arthritis, toothache, headache, and
garlic bulb and apply. You may cover the rheumatism.
afflicted area with a gauze and bandage. • Decoction of the bawang bulbs and leaves
• For sore throat and toothache, peal the skin are used as treatment for fever.
and chew. Swallow the juice. • For nasal congestion, steam and inhale:
• Cloves of garlic may be crushed and vinegar, chopped garlic, and water.
applied to affected areas to reduce the pain
 4. Bayabas (Psidium guajava) – “guava” in
English. It is primarily used as an antiseptic,
to disinfect wounds. Also, it can be used as a
mouth wash to treat tooth decay and gum
infection.

Preparation:
Uses of Bayabas :
• Boil one cup of Bayabas leaves in three
• Antiseptic, astringent & anthelminthic cups of water for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool.
• Kills bacteria, fungi and ameba • Use decoction as mouthwash, gargle.
• Used to treat diarrhea, nosebleeding • Use as wound disinfectant - wash affected
• For Hypertension, diabetes and Asthma areas with the decoction of leaves 2 to 3
• Promotes menstruation times a day. Fresh leaves may be applied to
the wound directly for faster healing.
The fresh leaves are used to facilitate the • For toothaches, chew the leaves in your
healing of wounds and cuts. A decoction mouth.
(boiling in water) or infusion of fresh leaves • For diarrhea, boil the chopped leaves for
can be used for wound cleaning to prevent 15 minutes in water, and strain. Let cool,
infection. Bayabas is also effective for and drink a cup every three to four hours.
toothaches. Note: Bayabas can cause • To stop nosebleed, densely roll Bayabas
constipation when consumed in excess. leaves, then place in the nostril cavities

5. Lagundi (Vitex negundo) – known in main use is for the relief of coughs and
English as the “5-leaved chaste tree”. It’s asthma.

Herbal Benefits of Lagundi: Preparation & Use:

• Relief of asthma & pharyngitis • Boil half cup of chopped fresh or dried
• Recommended relief of leaves in 2 cups of water for 10 to 15
rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea minutes. Drink half cup three times a day.
• Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu • For skin diseases or disorders, apply the
and other bronchopulmonary disorders decoction of leaves and roots directly on
• Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox skin.
• Removal of worms, and boils • The root is specially good for treating
dyspepsia, worms, boils, colic and
rheumatism.

A decoction (boiling in water) of the roots and leaves of Lagundi are applied to wounds, and used
as aromatic baths for skin diseases. Boiled seeds are eaten in order to prevent the spreading of
toxins and venom from bites of poisonous animals. Juice extracted from the flowers of lagundi is
taken in as an aid for disorders like fever, diarrhea, liver disorders, and even cholera. While a
decoction of the plant leaves is suggested to be taken by individuals to help increase the flow and
production of milk, as well as to induce menstruation.
 Trichina. Only the dried matured seeds are
medicinal -crack and ingest the dried seeds
two hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for
children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults). If one
6. Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.) – dose does not eliminate the worms, wait a
is a vine known as “Chinese honey suckle”. week before repeating the dose.
It is effective in the elimination of intestinal
worms, particularly the Ascaris and

Benefits & Treatment of Niyog-Niyogan: Preparation & Use:

Almost all of its parts are used individually, Seeds of niyog-niyogan can be taken as an
or mixed with other ingredients, as remedy anthelmintic. These are eaten raw two hours
to different ailments. In the Philippines, before the patient’s last meal of the day.
these are taken to rid people of parasitic Adults may take 10 seeds while children 4 to
worms. Some also use these to help alleviate 7 years of age may eat up to four seeds only.
coughs and diarrhea. Medical experts, Children from ages 8 to 9 may take six seeds
advice patients to consult their doctors as and seven seeds may be eaten by children 10
improper dosing may cause hiccups. Niyog- to 12 years old.
niyogan’s leaves are used to cure body pains
by placing them on specific problematic Decoctions of its roots are also sometimes
areas of the body. Compound decoctions of used as a remedy for rheumatism while its
the leaves of niyog-niyogan are used in fruits are used as an effective way to relieve
India to alleviate flatulence. toothaches.

that helps in the excretion of urinary stones.

7. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)- It can also be used as an edema.
English name: Blumea camphora. A diuretic

Health Benefits of Sambong:

• Good as a diuretic agent Preparation & Use:

• Effective in the dissolving kidney stones
• Aids in treating hypertension & • A decoction (boil in water) of Sambong
rheumatism leaves as like tea and drink a glass 3 or 4
• Treatment of colds & fever times a day.
• Anti-diarrheic properties • The leaves can also be crushed or pounded
• Anti-gastralgic properties and mixed with coconut oil.
• Helps remove worms, boils • For headaches, apply crushed and pounded
• Relief of stomach pains leaves on forehead and temples.
• Treats dysentery, sore throat • Decoction of leaves is used as sponge bath.
• Decoction of the roots, on the other hand,
is to be taken in as cure for fever.