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