The
Philippines is a country that is rich in natural resources, including the
abundance of many different medicinal herbs. Many of these are even found in
the confines of your kitchen or pantry. Here are some of the herbs that you can
use for some non-severe ailments.
Garlic is one
of the best medicinal herbs for lowering blood pressure. Commonly called
“bawang”, this also helps in bringing down your cholesterol level.
Ginger or
“luya” is great for people having sore throat. Ginger, sugar and water boiled
altogether results to a concoction known as “salabat”. This is also great for
cough and colds.
Bitter gourd, bitter melon, amargoso or “ampalaya” is used to treat diabetes or dabetes mellitus.
Lagundi is the native name. In English this is known as the “5-leaf chaste tree”. The main use is to relieve one from coughs and asthma.
Blumea Campora or Sambong is a diuretic that helps excrete urinary stones.
Guava or Bayabas is used as a disinfectant. It is used as antiseptic to prevent wounds from infection. Boiled leaves and barks are usually added to the bath water of mothers who had just given birth. The tea made from boiling the leaves is also used as a mouthwash for infected gums and tooth decay.
Peppermint or Yerba Buena is an analgesic that helps relieve you from body pains. This can be used externally or can be ingested as tea. For external medication, pound the leaves and apply to the aching body part.
The Ulasimang Bato or “Pansit-pansitan” is best for people suffering from arthritis and gout. You can eat the leaves fresh, as salad or you can boil the leaves and drink as you would do with tea.
Moringa leaves or Malunggay is still the queen of all these herbs. This is good source of vitamins, minerals and iron that help boost the immune system.
These are not
the only medicinal herbs found in the Philippines. In fact, any botanical
growing around you may soon be discovered to have medicinal values. Herbalists
are in continuous search for medicinal properties of these gifts of nature.
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