Earth News

farmeric January 2nd, 2008

It’s usually my habit to tune in to AM radio specially on my way to the office and back home early in the evening while driving. One particular Thursday morning , I was listening to DZMM program when I heard the lively tandem of Ariel Ureta and Winnie Cordero interviewing a guy who is a part of the on-going Herbal Festival 2007 being held in Quezon Memorial Circle,Quezon City. I listened attentively because the guy - which unfortunately I forgot the name, was talking about the good benefits of different herbs in our body. I just learned that only 10 of our numerous herbals/medicinal plants were approved by the Department of Health, namely:

1. Bawang or garlic = reduces cholesterol in the blood.
2. Bayabas or guava = my favorite, usually used to disinfect wounds (antiseptic). The fruit is rich in Vitamin C as well.
3. Ampalaya or bitter gourd = very popular to treat or prevent diabetes, clinically proven to lower a patient’s blood sugar. Did you know that the products of Charantia, the company that made the tea from ampalaya (and capsule too), is now being exported abroad like U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, Korea and parts of the Middle East?
4. Tsaang gubat or forest/wild tea = usually being taken as a tea for general good health and has high fluoride content.
5. Lagundi = I don’t know the English name,this plant is good for the respiratory system and relief of asthma.
6. Sambong = commonly known for diuretic, helps to excrete urinary stones, best varieties can be found around Mt. Banahaw.
7. Niyog-nyogan = If you hate the bitter taste of green tea, then try adding this. Fruits and seeds are are used against ascaris. Matured fruit taste like almonds.
8. Akapulko or ringworm bush = as the English name implies, it is used to treat fungal infections such as ringworm. The flower bud of this plant looks like a yellow candle surrounded by flames.
9. Peppermint = I like the smell of this plant, just rub it on your palm and it soothes your senses.
10. Pansit-pansitan (Ulasimang Bato) = make a nice salad to combat gout and rheumatic pains.

With the vast numbers of herbal medicines that has been validated and passed from generation to generation, I don’t know why the Department of Health endorsed and approved only these 10.

Some of my favorites which I’ve tried personally, being a “probinsyano” , aside from those listed above are:

• Oregano = I’ve just taken 3-spoonful the other night to relieve my cough.
• Raw, wild or cultured Honey = I make sure that I always have supplies in our kitchen. I also used this to treat burns and to stop bleeding of minor wounds.
• Aloe vera = mainly used to aid wound healing and relieve burns including sunburn.
• Caimito or star apple = for diabetes and a good to treat diarrhea.
• Calamansi = for colds, cough and sore throat.
• Makahiya = I remember, I used this to treat skin allergies.
• Sampalok = for my sponge bath whenever I have fever.
• Atis = very effective to combat hair lice.
• Ipil-ipil = the seeds as anthelmintic, to expel intestinal worms, works better than the very popular commercial brand.

These are all on top of my head right now. I’ll be writing about the wonders and magic of Virgin Coconut Oil in my other post.

Tags: allergies, coconut oil, flower, fruit, Health, Herbal, herbs, honey, medicines, Plants, seeds, sickness, tea, treat, vitamins, worms, wound

• Food , Health , Herbal , Plants
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