| Herbal medicine is the use of leaves, barks, roots and | | | | endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health are:1. |
| flowers of plants for the treatment or prevention of | | | | Akapulko for fungal infections.2. Ampalaya for |
| ailments or the promotion of good health. Like China, | | | | diabetes.3. Bawang for hypertension.4. Bayabas as |
| the Philippines is another country long known for using | | | | antiseptic.5. Lagundi for asthma6. Niyog-niyogan for |
| herbal medicines long before its popularity in the west. | | | | intestinal infestation7. Sambong as a diuretic8. Tsaang |
| In recent years, medical researchers, organizations, | | | | Gubat for intestinal motility9. Ulasimang Bato for gout10. |
| pharmaceutical companies and government health | | | | Yerba Buena as analgesicCaution however is advised |
| agencies took a serious look at folkloric herbal | | | | to those who wish to try herbal medicines. A lot of |
| medicines often used by Filipinos in rural | | | | research is still to be done and standards of dosage |
| areas.Research and studies by the academe, | | | | have to be established. Many of the commercially |
| industries and government confirm the effectively of | | | | available herbal medicines are listed as supplements |
| certain herbs in the treatment of diseases. Many of | | | | and have not passed the stringent standards required |
| these herbs also proved to have health benefits in | | | | by the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration. Some |
| addition to their curative value. The Philippine | | | | herbal medicines also react to prescription & |
| Department of Health, after thorough evaluation and | | | | nonprescription drugs. Always consult your doctor |
| years of clinical trials have endorsed 10 herbal plants | | | | before taking any herbal medicine.Author: Arnold A. |
| as alternative medicines for various diseases ranging | | | | Alvarez of the Philippine Herbal Medicine Site. |
| from asthma, hypertension to diabetes.The 10 herbs | | | | |