The Department of Health has approved 10 herbal medicines: Sambong, Akapulko, Niyog-niyogan, Tsaang gubat, Ampalaya, Lagundi, Ulasimang bato, Bawang, Bayabas, and Yerba buena. Each herb is listed with its common and scientific name as well as its main uses and health benefits, such as treating diabetes, high blood pressure, fungal infections, parasites, pain, and more.

1. 10 HERBAL MEDICINES APPROVED BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
1. Sambong
2. Akapulko
3. Niyog-niyogan
4. Tsaang gubat
5. Ampalaya
6. Lagundi
7. Ulasimang bato
8. Bawang
9. Bayabas
10.Yerba buena

2. SAMBONG
Scientific Name: Blumea
balsamifera
Use/s: Anti-edema, diuretic,
anti-urolithiasis

3. AKAPULKO
Common Name/s: Ringworm
bush, Bayas-bayasan
Scientific Name: Cassia alata
Uses/: Anti-fungal, tinea flava,
ringworm, athlete’s foot and
scabies

4. NIYOG-NIYOGAN
Common Name: Chinese
Honey Suckle
Scientific Name: Quisqualis
indica L.
Use/s: Anti-helmintic (used to
expel parasitic worms)

5. TSAANG GUBAT
Common Name: Forest Tea or
Wild Tea
Scientific Name: Carmona
retusa
Use/s: Diarrhea, Stomach
ache

6. AMPALAYA
Common Name: Bitter Gourd
or Bitter Melon
Scientific Name: Momordica
charantia
Use/s: lowers blood sugar
levels

7. LAGUNDI
Common Name: 5 Leaved-
Chaste Tree
Scientific Name: Vitex
negundo
Use/s: asthma and cough,
fever, dysentery, colds and
pain, HA, Aromatic bath for
sick patients

8. ULASIMANG BATO
Common Name: Silver bush/
Shiny bush, Pansit-pansitan
Scientific Name: Peperomia
pellucida
Use/s: lowers uric acid

9. BAWANG
Common Name: Garlic
Scientific Name: Allium
sativum
Use/s: for HTN, toothache,
lowers cholesterol levels in the
blood

10. BAYABAS
Common Name: Guava
Scientific Name: Psidium
guajava
Use/s: for washing wounds, for
toothache, for diarrhea

11. YERBA BUENA
Common Name: Peppermint
Scientific Name: Mentha cordifelia
Use/s: cough and cold, swollen
gums and toothache, menstrual
and gas pain, nausea and
fainting, insect bites