Herbal Medicine in the Philippines

Herbal medicine in the Philippines is based upon an estimated 1,500 plants growing throughout the Philippines and known for their medicinal qualities.

Philippine herbal medicine includes ginger.

In most cities in the Philippines today you'll find gleaming hospitals with all the accouterments of modern medicine. Life saving equipment, surgery, and critical care is state of the art. Yet venture into the countryside and many people rely upon indigenous medicines passed down from generation to generation, as well as other alternative therapies and faith healing. Both types of treatments help many people and exist side by side, sometimes out of necessity.

Philippine alternative medicine, including the herbal medicine in the Philippines, is a mix of Eastern and Western medicine. People in the Philippines embrace both for health and healing.

While scientists estimate there are over a thousand possible medicinal plants growing throughout the Philippines, only a handful have been identified and their effects studied.

The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) has endorsed ten medicinal herbs. These are the most popular in herbal medicine in the Philippines.

Many of the so-called DOH herbs are used to treat chronic illness.

• Ampalaya (Momordica charantia): This is actually a melon or fruit and looks a bit like a cucumber. Ampalaya is also called 'bitter melon' and grows along climbing vines. Traditional Filipino healers recommended Ampalaya for a variety of ailments, as did Chinese healers. In recent times, Ampalaya has proven to be a good herb to treat diabetes. It appears to encourage the pancreas to make more insulin. It is also rich in flavanoids, vitamins A, B, C and iron, phosphate and calcium. Today, the DOH endorses its use as an alternative treatment for diabetes, HIV and liver problems. The medicinal part of the plant is the juice of the bitter melon.
• Garlic (Allium sativum): Called bawang in the Philippines, this is the garlic you find at any food store in the United States or in tablets in pharmacies and health food stores nationwide. It reduces blood cholesterol and it is also recommended for its antibacterial properties.
• Pansit-Panistant: The leaves and stalks of this tiny wild herb are brewed into a tea to treat arthritis and gout. Leaves and stalks may also be made into a poultice and applied to skin wounds to speed healing.

Although you might not like to think about parasites, they can cause many serious illnesses. Herbal medicine in the Philippines includes herbal parasite treatments.

• Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica L): This tropical vine is found throughout Asia and Pacific countries, and goes by the nickname Chinese honeysuckle. It's so beautiful that it's often grown as an ornamental plant and may be found in arboretums, greenhouses and private homes through Asia. The dried seeds are eaten two hours after eating a meal to rid the body of intestinal worms such as Trichina and Ascaris.
• Akapulko (Cassia alata): The common name says it all: ringworm bush. Grown as an ornamental shrub, Akapaulko is also useful for skin fungal infections.

Many other herbs are used in Philippine herbal medicine. Two that you can easily find in the United States are ginger and carrots. Ginger alleviates nausea and lowers cholesterol, while carrots are believed to aid in cleansing and in regulating menstruation. The typical part of the carrot that you eat is used and grated or eaten frequently for its medicinal properties. Carrots are also full of beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

While researchers, botanists and herbalists are excited by the wealth of plants in the Philippines, they're frustrated because so few have been studied in the laboratory. Although used and recommended by healers for centuries, without rigorous studies they remain lumped under the title 'folk medicine.' Because of this, hidden gems that hold the promise of instigating new cures may be lurking among the weeds and shrubs in tropical places.

In large cities such as New York you may be able to find Filipino markets or herbalists who can advise and sell native herbs. You may also be able to find some online.

To learn more about herbal medicine in the Philippines, please visit these sites:

• Philippine Herbal Medicine is the most comprehensive site on Philippine herbs. It includes the DOH top ten list with dozens more useful herbs. Clicking through on any of the herbs gives the reader a photo of the plant, in depth information, traditional and modern uses, and much more.
• Philippine Alternative Medicine describes the state of both contemporary, Western-based conventional medicine and natural medicine in the Philippines.

As with any herbal treatment, just because it's plant based doesn't mean it's entirely safe, free from side effects, or won't cause a reaction in certain individuals. Consult a qualified herbalist before using herbs. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid herbal treatments unless the effects upon children are known. When in doubt, see your doctor about any medical treatment or concern.

• Photographs of Wild Berries
• Herbs for Pets
• Health Benefits of Tumeric

• Boil Drawing Salve
• Black Drawing Salve
• Black and Blue Cohosh to Induce Labor
• Homemade Herbal Hair Dye
• List of 40 Spices

• Kinds of Herbal Medicines
• Category:All About Herbs
• Main Page