1. Medicinal plants can be effective and safe medicines when used correctly. They can be cultivated in gardens or outdoors. Consult a health worker if symptoms persist with herbal treatment. 2. The document provides information on preparing and using various medicinal plants from the Philippines to treat common ailments. Plants described include guava, garlic, kalamansi, frangipani, and others. 3. For each plant, the purposes, preparations, and methods of use are described, such as boiling leaves to make decoctions for drinking, applying poultices or juices to skin, or eating seeds or fruits. Proper dosages are also provided.

1. 1
as
PLANTS
MEDICINES

2. 2
 Medicinal plants (also called herbs), in addition to
being inexpensive, are effective and safe when used
correctly. These can be cultivated right in your own
backyard, in house ports, in the open field, on hillsides
practically anywhere. When using medicinal plants to
treat an ailment, be sure you follow instruction on their
correct use. If symptoms persist, consult a health
worker, midwife, nurse or doctor.

3. 3
MAIN MESSAGE: Indigenous
medicinal plants are good sources of
medicines for treatment of common
ailments.
Plants can be prepared
for medicines as follows:

4. 4
STARFRUIT
Balimbing
PURPO
SEs
PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Fever Take 2 to 4 handfuls of
fresh leaves. Boil for 5
minutes in small pot
containing 4 glasses of
water to make a
lukewarm solution
With the
decoction, give
the patient a
sponge bath. Do
this once of twice
daily.

5. 5

6. 6
G
A
R
L
I
C
Bawang

7. 7
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Tinea flava,
barber’s itch,
athlete’s foot
Pound the needed
quantity of cloves of
fresh garlic
Apply directly on the
affected part of the
skin twice daily
High blood
pressure
(Mild)
Sauté/steam the
cloves.
Eat 6 pieces at
breakfast, lunch and
supper.
Joint pains
and
rheumatism
Pound the needed
quantity of cloves.
Heat a little, if
desired.
Apply as poultice on
affected part at night,
or whenever pain is
felt.
Toothache Pound 1 small clove
of fresh garlic.
Insert into the cavity
of aching tooth. If
pain persists, change

8. 8
G
U
A
V
A
Bayabas

9. 9
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Dizziness Crush some fresh shoots. Have the dizzy person smell the
shoots
Swollen gums Boil 5 teaspoons of chopped leaves in 2
glassfuls of water for 15 minutes, or
until boiling water is half the original
quantity. Cool and strain.
Rinse mouth and gargle with the
decoction. Do this 3 times daily.
Diarrhea Boil chopped leaves in a pot containing
2 glasses of water for 15 minutes or
until boiling water is half the original
quantity. Cool and strain.
Divided decoction into 2 parts.
Drink one part and drink the other
part after 3 or 4 hours.
Cleaning the
teeth
Wash fresh shoots thoroughly Brush teeth with the shoots.
Reach as many teeth as possible.
Do this after meals.
Toothache Take 2 or 3 fresh guava shoots, wash
well.
Chew and allow to settle on aching
tooth.
Required amount of leaves:
Age Dried Fresh
2-6 years 1 ½ tablespoons 2 tablespoons
7-12 years 3 tablespoons 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons

10. 10
KALAMANSI

11. 11
PURPOS
E
PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Mumps Mix calamansi juice
with equal amounts of
indigo (blue dye) and
vinegar.
Apply on swollen
part.
Dizziness Crush some fresh
leaves or squeeze the
skin of the fruit.
Have the dizzy
person smell the
leaves or skin.
Bathing Boil from 2 to 4
handfuls of leaves in a
big pot of water. Let
boil for 5 minutes. Add
water to make
For bathing the
sick, the
recuperating, or the
newly delivered
mother.

12. 12
FRANGIPANI
Kalatsutsi

13. 13
PURPOS
E
PREPARATIO
N
HOW TO USE
Scabies Boil ½ cup of
ground dried
leaves in ½ cup of
cooking oil for 10
minutes. Cool and
strain.
Apply the oil on the
top affected skin or
3 times daily. Do
this daily until the
skin recovers.
Itch Mix 8 teaspoons of
sap and teaspoon
of coconut oil
Apply on affected
skin. Do not put on
wounds.
Joint Mix ½ teaspoon of With this mixture,

14. 14
PURPOS
E
PREPARATION
HOW TO
USE
Fever Take 2 to 4 handfuls
of fresh leaves. Boil
in 2 glassfuls of
water in a small pot
for 5 minutes. Add
Give patient a
sponge bath
using the
decoction. Do
this at least once
Kamyas
CAMIAS

15. 15
STAR
APPLE
Kaymito

16. 16
PURPOS
E
PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Diarrh
ea
Boil chopped leaves
in a pot containing 2
glasses of water for
15 minutes, or until
water is half the
original quantity.
Cool and strain.
Divide the
decoction into 4
equal portions.
Drink each
portion after
every 2 or 3 hours
Amount of leaves required:
Age Dried Fresh
2-6 years 1 ½ tablespoons 2 tablespoons
7-12 years 3 tablespoons 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons

17. 17
WORM
WOOD
Damong Maria

18. 18
Purposes PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Gas pains  Crush some fresh
leaves. Heat slightly.
 Pound 8 fresh leaves.
Put in a drop of
cooking oil is alcohol.
Heat slightly.
 Drop 4 fresh of 8 dried
leaves in a pot with 1
glassful of water. Boil,
cool and strain.
 Apply as poultice on
the belly of children 2
to 6 years old.
 Apply as poultice on
the child’s belly.
 Give slight warm
decoction to drink.
Repeat once or twice
daily.
Wound
(For
dressing)
Boil 1 or 2 handfuls of
chopped leaves in a
small pot with 4
glassfuls of water, for 5
minutes. Cool and
strain.
Wash the wound with
the decoction. Do this
once or twice daily.

19. 19
EUCALYPTUS

20. 20
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Asthma Pound 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves or
2 teaspoons of dried leaves. Boil in 3
glassfuls of water for 15 minutes.
Cool and strain.
Have a patient drink 1 glass of
decoction 4 times a day.
Cuts and
Scrapes
Pound enough fresh leaves.
Squeeze the juice out.
Apply the juice on scrape or
shallow cut.
Cough Boil some shopped leaves in 2
glassfuls of water for 15 minutes or
until water is down to half its original
quantity. Cool and strain.
Divide into 3 portions. Drink 3
times daily.
Required amount of leaves:
Age Dried Fresh
2-6 years 1 ½ tablespoons 2 tablespoons
7-12 years 3 tablespoons 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons

21. 21
HIBISCUS
Gumamela

22. 22
PURPO
SE
PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Sore Wash flower
thoroughly, then
pound into a paste.
Apply as position
on the sore.
Change once daily
until the wound
heals.
Mumps Pound fresh buds into
paste.
Apply on swollen
part.
Burn Squeeze the juice from
several fresh buds.
Apply the juice on
the burned skin
once or twice daily.
Boils Pound some fresh Apply as poultice

23. 23
Lagundi
CHASTE TREE

24. 24
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Asthma Boil some chopped leaves in 2
glassfuls of water for 15 minutes,
or until the water is down to half
its original (quantity).
Divide into 3 equal portions.
Drink 3 times daily.
Fever Boil chopped leaves in 2 glassfuls of
water for 15 minutes or until water is
down to a glassful. Cool and strain.
Divided decoction into 3 portions.
Drink each portion every 3 for
cough and asthma and every 4
hours for fever and pain.
Required amount of leaves:
Age Dried Fresh
2-6 years 1 ½ tablespoons 2 tablespoons
7-12 years 3 tablespoons 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons
Required amount of leaves:
Age Dried Fresh
2-6 years 1 ½ tablespoons 2 tablespoons
7-12 years 3 tablespoons 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons

25. 25
GINGER
Luya

26. 26
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Gas pains Boil 1 teaspoon of chopped root
part in water for 5 minutes. Cool
and strain.
Drink the decoction.
Scrapes Pound enough fresh ginger.
Squeeze the juice out.
Apply on scrapes or shallow
cuts.
Joint pains
rheumatis
m
Pound a few pieces of fresh
ginger. Heat slightly.
Apply on affected part at night
or when pain is felt.
Cough Take two pieces of thumbsize
fresh ginger, and boil in 4
glassfuls of water for 5 minutes.
Divide into 3 equal portions,
and drink 3 times daily.
Boils Pound some fresh buds, after
washing these well.
Apply as poultice on the boil.
Change only daily until the
boil ripens.

27. 27
MANGO
Mangga

28. 28
PURPOS
E
PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Diarrhea In a pot containing 2
glasses of water, boil 2
teaspoons of chopped
seed (or core) of the
mango fruit. Let boil
until water is down to
half the original quantity.
Cool and strain.
Drink ¼ glass of
decoction 3 or 4 times
daily.
Vaginal
wash
Boil 2 handfuls of fresh
leaves in a small pot for
5 minutes.
Use the lukewarm
decoction as vaginal
wash, particularly
after childbirth.
Required amount of leaves:
Age Dried Fresh
2-6 years 1 ½ tablespoons 2 tablespoons
7-12 years 3 tablespoons 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons

29. 29
HONEY
SUCKLE
Niyog-niyogan

30. 30
PURPOS
E
PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Ascaris
worms
Get the seeds from
matured, dry and
newly opened fruit.
Eat the seeds after
supper. Chew well
and wash down with
water. If there is no
result after a week
has passed, repeat
the dosage. If fresh
seeds are used, 4-5
seeds maybe taken.
This dosage is only
for grown-ups. Fresh
Required amount of leaves
Age Seeds
4-5 years 4-5 seeds
6-8 years 5-6 seeds
9-12 years and above 6-7 seeds
13 years and above 8-10 seeds

31. 31
OREGANO
Suganda

32. 32
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Burns Squeeze out the juice
from fresh leaves.
Apply the juice on the
burned skin once or
twice a day.
Gas pains Boil chopped fresh
leaves in 1 cup of water
for 5 minutes. Cool and
strain.
Drink the decoction.
Cough Boil some chopped
leaves in 2 glassfuls of
water for 15 minutes or
until water is down to
half its original quantity.
Cool and strain.
Divide into 3 portions.
Drink 3 times daily.
Amount of leaves required:
Age Dried Fresh
7-12 years 2 tablespoons 3 tablespoons
13 years and above 4 tablespoons 6 tablespoons

33. 33
CAMPHOR
Sambong

34. 34
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Gas pains `Boil chopped leaves in 1 cup of water for 5
minutes. Cool and strain.
Drink the decoction.
Reminder: Wash the leaves wall before
boiling.
For the sponge bath of sick
person. Do this once or twice
daily.
Fever Take 2 to 4 handfuls of fresh leaves, boil in 2
glassfuls of water in a small pot. Add water to
make lukewarm.
Divide into 3 portions. Drink
decoction 3 times daily.
Diuretic (For
increasing the
discharge of
urine)
Boil chopped leaves in 2 glassfuls of water for
15 minutes or until water is half its original
quantity. Cool and strain.
Divide into 3 portions. Drink
decoctions 3 times daily.
Amount of leaves required :
Age Dried Fresh
7-12 years 3 tablespoon 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons
Amount of leaves required :
Age Dried Fresh
7-12 year 3 tablespoons 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons

35. 35
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Anti-
urolithiasis
(Pantunaw
ng bato sa
kidney)
Boil chopped leaves in 2
glassfuls of water for 15
minutes or until water is
half its original quantity.
Cool and strain.
Divide into 3 portions.
Drink decoction 3 times
daily.
Bathing Boil 2 to 4 handfuls of
fresh leaves in a small
pot for 5 minutes. Add a
little water to make
lukewarm.
For the bath of either
the sick, the
recuperating, or the
mother who has just
given birth.
Joint pains/
rheumatism
Pound 2 fresh leaves
and add a drop of
cooking oil.
Apply as poultice on
affected parts of the
body.
Headache Crush enough fresh
leaves. Add a few drops
Apply on forehead and
temples. Keep in place

36. 36
Sampalok
TAMARIND

37. 37
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Cuts and scrapes Boil 1 handful of leaves in 4 glassfuls of
water for 15 minutes and strain.
Wash cuts and scrapes with
decoction.
Fever Boil 2 to 4 handfuls of leaves in 3
glassfuls of water for 5 minutes. Add
water to make the decoction lukewarm.
For the sponge bath of the sick.
Repeat once of twice daily.
Mash 1 or 2 ripe fruits, add a little sugar,
and mix in a glass of water.
Drink 1 glass of juice every four
hours.
Constipation Collect enough quantity of ripe fruit. Eat the fruit and wash down with
water.
Wounds, sores
and scabies (For
dressing)
Boil 1 to 2 handfuls of chopped leaves in
a small pot for 5 minutes. Cool and
strain.
Wash wounds with the
decoction. Do this once or twice
daily.
Vaginal wash Boil 2 handfuls of leaves in a small pot for
5 minutes. Strain.
For the mother who has just
given birth.
Cough Boil chopped leaves in 2 glassfuls of
water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain.
Divide into 3 portions. Drink 3
times daily.
Required amount of leaves:
Age Dried Fresh
2-6 years 1 ½ tablespoons 2 tablespoons
7-12 years 3 tablespoons 4 tablespoons
12 years and above 6 tablespoons 8 tablespoons

38. 38
Tsaang Gubat
WILD
TEA

39. 39
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Diarrhea Boil chopped leaves in 2-glassfuls of water for
15 minutes or until water is half its original
quantity. Cool and strain.
Divide decoction into 4
portions. Drink 1 portion
every 2 or 3 hours.
Stomachache Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water for 15
minutes or until water is half its original
quantity. Cool and strain.
Drink the decoction.
Reminder: Wash the leaves well before boiling.
Fluoride/
calcium for
strong teeth
Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water for 15
minutes or until water is half its original
quantity. Cool and strain.
Gargle and drink the
decoction.
Amount of leaves required :
Age Dried Fresh
7-12 years 1 tablespoon 1 1/2 tablespoons
13 years and above 2 tablespoons 3 tablespoons
Amount of leaves required :
Age Dried Fresh
2-6 years 2 ½ tablespoons 2 ½ tablespoons
7-12 years 5 tablespoons 5 tablespoons
12 years and above 10 tablespoons 12 tablespoons

40. 40
PEPPERMINT
Yerba Buena

41. 41
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Gas pains Boil chopped leaves in 1 cup of water for 15
minutes. Cool and strain. For children 7-12 years
old, use half the dosage. Wash the leaves well
before chopping.
Drink the decoction.
Dizziness Crush some fresh leaves. Have the dizzy person smell the
crushed leaves.
Fever Boil 15 teaspoonfuls of died leaves in 3 glassfuls of
water until water is half its original quantity (about
15 minutes). Strain.
Drink while warm.
Joint pains/
rheumatis
m
Pound enough fresh leaves, squeeze the juice out.
Wet piece of cotton in the juice.
Insert the cotton in the cavity of
aching tooth.
Reminder: Wash leaves thoroughly before boiling.
Pain killer Boil chopped leaves in 1 cup of water for 15
minutes. Cool and strain. For children 7-12 years
old, use half the dosage. Wash the leaves well
before chopping.

42. 42
PURPOSE PREPARATION HOW TO USE
Diabetes
Mellitus
(Mild Non-
Insulin
Dependent
)
Wash thoroughly the young leaves.
Chop enough fresh leaves. Scoop
6 heaping tablespoons of chopped
leaves. Boil 2 glasses of water for
15 minutes, until the water
becomes 1 glass. Use “palayok”
and remove the cover while it is
boiling in a slow fire. Strain the
boiled decoction and place this in a
Let the patient drink 1/3 cup
of cold or warm decoction
after a meals three times a
day. The cooked fresh leaves
could be eaten too. Use ½
cup to compact fresh leaves.
Steam and eat 2 times a day.
Momordica
Charantia
AMPALAYA

43. 43
PURPO
SE
PREPARATION HOW TO USE
To
lower
uric
Eat fresh leaves in
salad form or prepare
through decoction.
If eaten fresh:
prepare ½ cup of
fresh leaves (not
compact) and eat 3
ULASIMANG BATO
Peperimia
Pullucida

44. 44
PURPO
SE
PREPARATI
ON
HOW TO USE
Tinea
Flava
and
scabies
Pound just
enough fresh
leaves.
Apply the extract of the
leaves on the affected area
for 1 to 2 times a day.
AKAPULKO
Causi Alala L.

45. 45
THANK YOU