Re~earchInformation .

R I5E Senes on Ecosystems

I Vol. 24 No.2 May • August 20121

; Forest Trees and Vines

with Medicinal Properties

ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUREAU

Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Cnliege 4031, Laguna
 FOREWORD

Executive Adviser : Dir. Marcial C. Amaro, [r.,

This issue of RISE is intended to generate awareness and
CESO III interest on the benefits and importance of forest trees and forest
vines which have medicinal contents.
Team Leader : Dr. Leuvina M. Tandug
Some of the important forest trees that could be tapped
Asst. Team Leader and Editor : Mr. Eliseo M. Baltazar owing to their medicinal contents are: Alagau, Anonang, Banaba,
Banato, Dita, etc. While Abuhab-baging, Baling-uai, Bayating,
Assistant Editors : Ms. Liberty E. Asis Bulakan and Dugtong-ahas are forest vines which have also
Ms. Marla V. Cambay medicinal value.

: Dr. Elpidio F. Rimando The information contained in this issue are intended for
Members
individuals who rely on herbal medicine, especially on forest trees
Dr. Rafael T. Cadiz
and forest vines. It can also be considered by entrepreneurs in
Ms. Maria P. Dayan
the herbal and medicinal industry in the country.

Production Coordinator : Mr. Francisco R. Cabrera Lastly, we encourage peoples' organizations, local
government units, and farmers especially in the upland
Computer Services : Mr. Nestor S. Leviste communities to propagate forest trees and vines so that the
supply of raw materials will be available all the time. It will also
Proofreading : Ms. Flora B. Palicpic help replenish our degraded areas and ultimately sustain our
needs for these medicinal trees and vine species.
Layout Artist : Mr. Nestor S. Leviste

Printing : Mr. Celso A. Luna

Collating and Binding : Mr. Eduardo M. Tolentino RClAl C. AMARO,

Director
Mr. Renato R. Garcia

Circulation : Ms. Flora B. Palicpic

, . ~ RIS
 ~'-_
:' Table of Conte~ts
SPECIES PAGE
ALAGAU 1
ANONANG 2
BANABA 3
BANATO 4
BATINO 6
Medicinal Forest Tree
BAYABAS 7 Species
BINUNGA 8
DITA
by
9
KALINGAG 10
Rogelio Calinawan
HAUILI 12
LANETI 13
MAGILIK 14
TEKLA 15
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 17
ABUHAB-BAGING 21
BALING-UAI 22
BAYATING 23
BULAKAN 24
DUGTONG-AHAS 25
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 27
II RISE
Common Name : Alagau Common Name : Anonang

Scientific name Premna Adorata Blanco Scientific Name Cordia dichotoma Forest. F

Family Verbenaceae Family Name Boraginaceae

Description Description

It is a small, hairy tree, 3-8 m high. The leaves are ovate This tree grows from 5-10 m high, smooth and decidous.
to broadly ovate with broad, rounded and somewhat heart- Leaves are alternate, ovate to oblong-ovate or elliptic-ovate with
shaped base and pointed tip. Lower surface of the blade is entire or somewhat undulate margins, pointed tip and pointed or
densely covered with soft hairs. Flowers are greenish-white somewhat rounded or heart-shaped base. The yellowish-white
or nearly white borne on terminal inflorescences. The fruit is flowers are stalkless and borne in lax inflorescences. The fruit
fleshy, dark purple and rounded. (drupe) is yellowish white or pinkish, ovoid with rather scenty
pulp and a hard stone. Calyx in the fruit is broadly funnel-shaped
Distribution enlarged and about 8 mm in diameter.

It is endemic in the Philippines and commonly found Distribution

in thickets and secondary forests at low altitudes, sometimes
purposely planted around dwellings. It is found throughout the Philippines in secondary forests
thickets at low and medium altitudes.
Medicinal Uses
Other Uses
Leaf decoction loosens phlegm, for cough, TB and
facilitate urination, cures tympanities with coconut or sesame oil This is equally important in commerce because it can be
for beri-beri, masticating the roots and swallowing the saliva is made into ropes, the white gelatinous substance from the fruit is
for cardiac troubles. Decoction is sudorific and pectoral and is made into glue, pulp can be eaten, leaves used as wrapper.
said to be carminative.
.~ , \

1 ,I
 Medicinal Uses Destnbution

The fruit is used as laxative and pectoral, used in This is chiefly found in secondary forests at low and
gonorrhea, denulcent, expectorant the kernels are good remedy medium altitudes.
for ringworm. Mucilage produced is highly esteemed in coughs
and diseases of the chest, uterus and urethra. The bark is used in Medicinal Uses
various modes of administration. Moistened, it is applied on boils
& tumors to hasten ripening. It is also a cure for headache and Infusion from the bark is febrifuge, stimulant, anti-diarrhea.
stomach ache. Decoction is used as antidyspeptic, febrifuge, Decoction of the leaves and bark is used for diabetes, as a
tonic and astringent. In powder form, it is used as a cure for diuretic and the seed was reported to have narcotic-properties.
ulcers in the mouth. Infusion is used as a gargle. Juice with The bark, flowers and leaves are used as purgative.
coconut milk relieves severe colicky pains. For fever use with
pronegrate kind.

Common Name Banaba

Scientific Name Lagerstroemia speciosa (Linn.) pers. Common Name Banato

Family Name Lytraceae Scientific Name Mallotus Philippinensis (Lan.) Nuell-arg

Description Family Name Euphorbiaceae

Banaba is a decidous tree growing from 5 to 20 m in Description

height. The bark is smooth, grey to cream-colored and peels off
in irregular flakes. Leaves are smooth, oblong to elliptic-ovate The tree is 4 to 10 m in height with the branches, young
and 12 to 25 cm long. Flowers are 6-parted, purplish-lilac or leaves and inflorescence covered with brown hairs. The leaves
nauve-pink, 5 to 7.5 cm across; borne in large capsule, obovoid are alternate, oblong-ovate with entire or toothed margins,
to ellipsoid, 2 to 3.5 cm long with a pale brown winged seed. pointed apex and rounded base. There are 2 glands in the

3 4
a ~_~ _
upper surface of the leaf which is smooth, the lower surface is
somewhat glaucous and hairy with numerous small scattered
crimson glands. Numerous male flowers are borne in axillary,
solitary racemes. Fruit is somewhat spherical, unarmed but
densely covered with red or crimson powder. It has 3 cells,
each containing a seed which is black or dark grey, rounded and
slightly flattened on 1 side.

Distribution

It is common in thickets and secondary growth forests at

Common Name Batino
low altitudes throughout the Philippines.

Medicinal Uses Scientific Name Alstonia Macrophyl/a Wall.

Family Name : Apocynaceae

The red glands of the fruit is antiherpetic and anthelmintic,
vermifuge, purgative and remove leprous eruptions. Leaves and
Description
bark are used for poulticing cutaneous diseases and pounded
seeds are applied to wounds.
It is a medium sized tree, leaves are in whorls of 3, oblong-
ovate, pointed at both ends and shortstalked. The flowers are
small, yellowish-white and borne in short terminal cynes. Corolla
is tubular and lobed toward the top. The slender and very long
fruit is double follicle and pendant with small and very flat seeds
with deep-brown hairs especially along the edge,

Distribution

This is common in primary and secondary forests and

thickets at low and medium altitudes throughout the Philippines.

Medicinal Uses

Root decoction is anti-hypertensive, and anticholeric tonic.

Bark infusion, powder, decoction, tincture or wine is febrifuge,
antidysentric, emmenagogue, or nenary. Poultice of leaves with
coconut oil is for sprains, bruises, and dislocated joints.
5 " ~
 -
infused are used for cleaning ulcers, antipasmodic, febrifuge,
for cerebral affections, nephritis, cachexia, astrigent, for itches,
and used as vaginal and uterine wash especially in leucorrhoea.
When pounded, they are applied for rheumatism, for epilepsy
and chorea; tincture is rubbed into the spine of children suffering
from convulsions. Decocted flower bud is considered as effective
remedy for diarrhea and flow of blood. Fruit is astringent and has
a tendency to cause constipation, anthelmic, and aperient (ripe).

Common Name Bayabas

Scientific Name Psidium guajava Linn.

Family Name Myrtaceae

Description

This is a hairy plant reaching a height of 8 m. The young

branches have 4-angled leaves which are opposite, oblong to
elliptic. The apex being pointed and the base is usually rounded.
Peducles are 1 to 3 flowered. White flower are solitary or 2-3
together. Fruit is rounded, ovoid, green but yellowish when ripe Common Name Binunga
and contains many seeds embedded in aromatic, pink, edible
Scientific Name Macaranga tanarius (Linn.) Muel-ARG
pulp.
Family Name Euphorbiaceae
Distribution
Description
It is found throughout the Philippines in all islands and
provinces and is usually very common in thickets and secondary
It is characterized as a small dioecious tree, which is
forests at low and medium altitudes, ascending to at least 1,500
4-8 m high. Leaves are peltate, ovate to oblong-ovate, entire
m.
or toothed margins, base is rounded on slender, branched
penducles which are shorter than the leaves. Female flowers
Medicinal Uses are found on panicled spikes or racemes. The capsules are 10-
20 mm in diameter, of 2-3 cocci and covered with pale waxy
The leaves of this plant are of great medicinal value. When glands with soft, scattered, spinelike processes.
chewed they are said to be a remedy for toothache; decocted!
7
Distribution
pointed at the base, qreen and shining on the upper surface and
white or grayish on the lower. Flowers are crowded, numerous
It is commonly found in thickets and secondary forests at
somewhat hairy, greenish-white and borne in cynes about 10
low and medium altitudes throughout the Philippines.
cm long. Fruit is made up of two slender, pendulous, cylindric
follicles with 2-4 mm long seeds with brown ciliate hairs on the
Other Uses
ends.

The bark is used in making glue, food containers, and Distri bution
basi.

Primary and secondary forests at low and medium

Medicinal Uses
altitudes is the habitat of such species.

A decoction of it is used for dysentry, powdered root used Medicinal Uses

as emetic in fevers, decoction, is for haemoptysis.
Bark decoction is a tonic, febrifuge, anticholeric, for chronic
diarrhea and dysentery, anthelmintic, alternative, antiperiodic,
stomachache and enters into mixture for fever and diabetes,
vermifuge and for coughs. Latex and powdered leaves as a
poultice on boils, ulcers and rheumatic pains, mixed with oil for
earache. Decoction of young leaves is used for beri-beri.

Common Name : Dita

Scientific Name : Astonia scholaris (L.)

Family Name : Apocynaceae

Description
Common Name Kalingag

This is smooth and grows from 6-20 m high. The branches Scientific Name Cinnamomum mercadoi vidal
are whorled. Its bark is dark grey and somewhat rough. Leaves
are in whorls of 4-7, leathery, oblong-ovate, rounded at tip and
Family Name Lauraceae
9

55
Description

A small tree with thick and aromatic bark. The leaves

are smooth, opposite, pale green or subglaucous beneath, rigid,
smooth, shining above, ovate-oblong or broadly lanceolate or
occasionally subeliptic, pointed at both ends and borne upon
long petioles. The blade is 3-plinerved. The erect inflorescence
grows from the uppermost leafaxils. Calyx is cane-scent and
turbinate. Petals are smooth and narrowly ellipsoid.

Distribution

It is endemic in the Philippines and usually foun in forest Common Name Hauili
at low and medium altitudes, sometimes ascending to 2,000 m.
Scientific Name Ficus hauili blanco
Other Uses
Family Name Moraceae
Commercially, the strong sassafras odor and taste, makes
a good ingredient for rootbeers. Asmall erect tree, 3-8 m high, smooth with the young shoot
more or less hairy. Its leaves are smooth and shining, oblong-
Medicinal Uses ovate to elliptic-ovate with the tip tapering to a rather sharp point
and the pointed receptacles are axillary, depress-glubose or
The bark taken internally helps digestion, used in turnate, obscurely ridged or angled and shortly peduncled.
flatulence, an expectorant, cures headaches and rheumatism.
chewed for stomach troubles and in tuberculosis. Distribution

It is an endemic species in the Philippines an found in

thickets at low and medium altitudes.

Medicinal Uses

Fresh leaves are used as sodurific, anti-rheumatic; and

for headache, roots as diuretic, in the form of decoction poultice
in boils. Latex is used to cure certain varieties of herpes.
 Common Name Laneti
Common Name Magilik
Scientific Name Kitabalia blancoi (Rolfe) Merr. Scientific Name Premna cumingiana
Family Name : Apocynaceae Family Name Verbenaceae

Description Description

A tree, 18-20 m high with opposite rather leathery, smooth This tree reaches a height of 8 m or more. The twigs
shining, ovate leaves pointed at both ends. White or light green and leaves are densely covered with yellowish-brown, coarse,
flowers are showy occuring in axils of leaves singly or in pairs. shaggy hairs. Leaves are large, opposite, ovate or ovately
Corolla tubes are narrow below and wide above and closed. The oblong to subelliptic, borne broad, rounded or somewhat heart-
fruit is a cylindric follicle. shaped at the base composed of many small white flowers. Fruit
is rounded, compressed and subtended by a cupular calyx.
Distribution
Distribution
This can be found in primary and secondary forests at low
and medium altitudes. Chiefly found in secondary forests at low and medium
altitudes ascending to 1,000 m.
Medicinal and Other Uses
Medicinal Uses
Roots and leaves are used as fish-poisons. Leaves are
used for headaches. Infused leaves are employed as a diuretic and a remedy
for dropsy.
13 .

.
 Other Uses

It is well known for its excellent wood for ship-building,

furniture-making and other fine work for fishing boat.

Medicinal Uses

Decoction of the fresh and dried leaves is prescribed for

menstrual disorder, for hemorrhages, for haemoptysis, taken as
gargle for sore throat. A plaster of the powdered wood !or bilious
headache and for the dispersion of inflamatory swelling taken
Common Name Tekla internally for dyspepsia, a vermifuge paste is applied for swelling
of eyelids to strengthen the sight. It can be applied i~ acute
Scientific Name Tectona grandis (Linn.) F dermatitis, flowers and seeds are diuretic. Oil of the nuts IS used
for hair growth and soothes itches of the skin.
Family Name Verbenaceae

Description

Tekla is an erect, large, decidous tree growing up to 20

m or more in height. The branches are 4-angled. Elliptic or
obovate leaves are large, pointed at both ends, usually wedge-
shaped at the base and entire at the margins. The upper surface
is rough but without hairs and the lower is densely covered with
grey or yellowish hairs. Numerous flowers are short stalked and
arranged in large terminal much branched panicles. Calyx is
small broad, bell-shaped and covered with steelate hairs, with
subequal and spreading lobes. Corolla is white and smooth with
subequal and spreading lobes. The fruit is somewhat rounded
and somewhat 4-lobed. The soft pericarp is densely clothed with
telted, stellate hairs.

This is planted in various parts of the Philippines, Sulu

archipelago and in other parts of Mindanao.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Febrifuge a remedy for fever
Anthelmintic expels intestinal worms
Flatulence gas formation in the alimentary canal
Antiherpetic drug for skin inflammation
Haemoptysis the spitting of blood or of blood stained sputum
Antispasmodic: prevents or relieve muscular spasm or cramps from the larynx, tranchea, bronchi or lungs

Astringent shrinks tissues and prevents secretion of fluids Haemorrhages: the scope of blood from its vessels
from wounds
Infusion the steeping of a substance in water for
Cachexia a condition of general health obtaining its proximate principles

Chorea a convulsive nervous disease with involuntary Leucorrhoea a whitish nucopurulent discharge from the
and irregular jerking movements attended with female genital canal
irritability and depression and with mental
impairment Nephritis inflammation of the kidneys

Decoction solutions representing the water soluble Pectoral pertaining to the chest
constituents of plants drugs prepared by boiling
the drug in water Phlegm morbid or viscid mucus secreted in abnormally
large amount applied especially to much
Dermatitis an inflammation of the skin mucus discharged through the mouth

Diuretic helps the body dispose excessive water by Poultice soft usually hasten preparation spread on a
increasing the amount of urines produced cloth applied to a sore or inflammation

Dropsy edema; excessive accumulation of fluid in body Purgative causing evacuation from the intestine
tissues
Tympanites inflammation of the middle ear
Epilepsy chronic functional disease characterized by
brief convulsive seizures in which there is loss Stomachic stimulates activity of the stomach
of conciousness with a succession of tonic or
chloric convulsions Vermifuge expel worms

Expectorant promote ejection of fluid from the lungs and

trachea
17r~IE:]~~~~ __ ~" , ,,<,', ,L" ,
 Forest Vines with
Medicinal Properties

by

Rogelio Calinawan

Baling uai

20
 Medicinal Uses

The bark is employed as an effective arrow poison

.,
.
,~.

Common Name : Abuhab-baging

Scientific Name : Strophantus Cumingii A. Dc Common Name Baling-uai

Family Name : Apocynaceae Scientific Name Flagel/aria Indica Linn.

Description Family Name Flagellariaceae

A st~ut, smooth woody vine which when young is erect Description

and shrub-I~ke .. The leaves are elliptic-ovate, Slightly pointed at
the base with a short point at the tip. Terminal inflourescence It is a needle-like plant climbing over softly trees by the
are smooth and few flowered. Calyx lobes are slender and 7-9 leaf-tendrils. The stem is nearly 2.5 cm thick towards the base,
mm long. Corolla tube is white with lobes about 8 mm wide at terete and smooth. Sessile leaves are lanceolate from a rounded
the base a.nd ¢on~in~e i.nto long slender, drooping tips. It has a base and terminate in a curled tendril and the apex. White
doubl~ follicled, distinctive fruit that is woody Oblong-ovoid and flowers are borne in clusters in shortly pedunculate, irregularly
co~tal~s nU':lerous elongated seeds terminating in a very long laxly branched panicles.
projection with numerous long hairs.
Distribution
Distribution
This is commonly found in secondary forest at low and
It is endemic in the Philippines in thickets and forests at medium altitudes,
low and medium altitude. .

~ ..
' .~ 22
Medicinal Uses Medicinal Uses

Decoction of stem, leaves, rhizome and flowers considered The fruit is used as a fish poison. Milky sap diluted in
diuretic. The leaves are astrigent and vulnerary and are used for water is used as an eyewash.
making hairwash.

Common Name Bulakan

Common Name Bayating Scientific Name Ipomea digitata linn.

Scientific Name Tinomiscium philippinense die/s. Family Name Convolvulaceae

Family Name Menispernaceae

Description
Description
It is a smooth large perennial climber rising from stout
This is stout, woody vine with grey bark and milky sap. somewhat fleshy roots. Leaves are rounded in outline and heart-
Its leaves are thin, ovate, smooth except beneath with a broad shaped at the base on long petioles. There are 3-5 flowers on
rounded base and pointed tip on long petioles. Yellow flowers the stalk within the axil of the leaf. Corolla is pink, purple broadly
are fragrant, occuring in considerable number on long, slender bell-shaped and smooth. Capsules are ovoid and 1 cm long or
less. .
drooping branches that grow in clusters in the stems.

Distribution Distribution

An endemic plant in some Luzon and Mindanao provinces Common in thickets along the seashores and streams at
in forests at low and medium altitudes. low altitudes.
 Medicinal Uses
Medicinal Uses
The root is very useful in various modes of administration.
When infused, it is purgative, tonic, alternative, aphrodisiac and Macerated bark in oil is an efficacious vulnerary,
demulgent powdered. It is a galactagogue, chologogue, promotes cicatrizant and internally used to cure tuberculosis. Decoction
obesity and moderate menstrual discharge, and restorative. of it, however, is taken to make the uterus shrink after childbirth,
for dysentery and wounds, leaf and flower infusion is taken as an
emmenagogue to facilitate menstruation.

Common Name Dugtong-Ahas

Scientific Name Parameria /aevigata

Family Name : Apocynaceae

Description

A woody vine with oblong or ovate lanceolate leaves, 7-10

cm long and pointed at both ends. White flowers are fairly small
and clustered. The fruit is very long and slender, smooth much
na~rowed between the seeds which are about a cm long, sharply
pointed at one end and crowned at the other with numerous white
hairs.

Distribution

It is found in thickets and open forests at low and medium

altitudes.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
REFERENCES
Alternative : a substance which alters a condition by a
gradual change toward restoration of health Inventory of Medicinal Plants Resources at a Secondary
Dipterocarp Forest Catchment in the Angat Watersheds
Aphrodisiac : stimulates sexual desire (Terminal Report) S. Baconguis, et al. 1984

Cholagogue : increases the flow of bile Baconguis, Santiago R., Dalmacio, Nimfa C., Siapno, Florita
E., Panot, Ignacio A., Inventory of Medicinal Plant Resources
Cicatrizant : causes formation of scar tissues, healing of at a Secondary Dipterocarp Forest Catchment in the Angat
wounds Watersheds (Terminal Report)

Corolla : petals of a flower

Denulgent : soothing medicines; provides a protective

coating membrane

Emmenagogue: an agent that provides menstruation

Galactagogue : promotes secretion of milk

Lanceolate : lance-shaped

Panicle : an open or branched inflorescence

Vulnerary : used in the healing of wounds

L
RISE
Research Information Series on Ecosystems, popularly
Vol. 24 No.2 known as RISE, is a compilation of the most recent
May -August and relevant information to provide technical support
2012 to major programs of the DENR particularly on
REMINDER TO OUR DEAR READERS
reforestation, rehabilitation of degraded areas, upland
development and coastal zone management.
Iro properly update our mailing list, we request y~u to provide
For comments and suggestions, please contact us with new information on your present address, If necessary.
Please inform ERDB through the:
The Director
Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau IThe Director
College, Laguna 4031 Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau
Tel Nos. (049) 536-2229; 536-2269; 536-3221; College, Laguna 4031 .
536-3628; Fax No. (049) 536-2850 Ire I Nos. (049) 536-2229; 536-2269; 536-3221; 536-3628,
Fax No. (049) 536-2850
This publication should not be reproduced without written
permission from the ERDB Director.

RISE issues can be translated into regional dialects by

DENR Regional Research Offices provided that proper
acknowledgement of source be made on the back cover.

The official citation is :

Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau
Forest Tree and Vines Species with Medicinal Properties
Vol. 24 No.2
Research Information Series on Ecosystems
ERDB, College 4031, Laguna

For copies, please contact:

The Circulation Officer, Technology Development Division
ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVElOPEMENT BUREAU
College 4031, laguna
Tel. Nos. 536-2229; 536-2269; 536-3221
FAX No. (049) 536-2850

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