Medicinal Plants

BANABA
Scientific Names:
Lagerstroemia speciosa L
Munchausia speciosa Linn.
Lagestroemia reginae Roxb
Banaba is a flowering plant that grows in warm
climate like the Philippines, India and others. Banaba
is widely used in the Philippines and as herbal
medicine for diabetes. While in India, Banaba is also
used in yur!edic medicine for the treatment of
diabetes. "he Banaba lea!es and flowers contain
corrosolic acid, a substance being studied for its
insulin like effect of lowering the glucose in the body.
Banaba is also being studied as a weight#loss
supplement for its ability to delay or reduce the
absorption of carbohydraes. Banaba is also rich in
!itamins and minerals including $inc and
magnesium. Banaba is also rich in dietary fibers.
%olkloric uses of Banaba herbal medicine include the
treatment for diarrhea, constipation, inflammation of
kidneys, dysuria and other urinary dysfunctions.
Banaba is a tropical flowering tree that grow up to &'
meters high. Banaba has large green oblong lea!es
that is about ( inches in width and ) inches in length.
"he flowers or Banaba are racemes and colored pink
to la!ender. Banaba bears nut#like fruits that are
arranged in large clumps.
Banaba, Herbal Medicine For Diabetes
Banaba is used as herbal medicine for the treatment
of diabetes not only in India but also in the
Philippines. Studies ha!e shown that Banaba
contains corosolic acid that acts like insulin by
lowering the blood sugar in the body. *orosolic acid
is a triterpenoid glycoside that impro!es the cellular
uptake of glucose +,urakami *, et al &--(, *hemical
and Pharmaceutical Bulletin..
BAYABAS
Bayabas or gua!a is a fruit bearing shrub or small
tree that grows in the tropical climate like ,e/ico,
Peru and the Philippines. Bayabas is widely used in
the Philippines as herbal medicine and is recogni$ed
by the Philippine 0epartment of 1ealth for its
antiseptic property. Bayabas or gua!a fruit is known
for being rich in !itamin * and !itamin . Bayabas
lea!es and fruits contain eugenol, tannin, saponins,
amydalin, phenolic acids, malic acid, ash, aldehydes,
cate2uinic components and fla!onoids.
Bayabas or gua!a is used in herbal medicine as
antiseptic, anti#inflammatory, anti#spasmodic,
antio/idant hepatoprotecti!e, anti#allergy,
antimicrobial, anti#plasmodial, anti#cough,
antidiabetic, and antigenoto/ic.
Bayabas or gua!a tree grows ( to&' meters tall with
greenish to red#brownish smooth bark. Bayabas
produce a round globular bayabas fruit that starts as
a flower. "he bayabas fruit is green and turns
yellowish#green and soft when ripe. Bayabas fruit
has many small hard seeds contained in a yellowish
pulp. Bayabas fruit is usually eaten while still green
and hard.
LAGUNDI
Scientific Name : 3ite/ Negundo
Is a large nati!e shrub that grows in the Philippines
and has been traditionally used as herbal medicine.
"he Philippine 0epartment of 1ealth has conducted
research and study for 4agundi and has suggested
that the lagundi plant has a number !erifiable
therapeutic !alue.
4agundi is an erect, branched tree or shrub, that
grows to as much as 5 m high. 4agundi has a single
thick, woody stem like a trunk and is usually seen in
swamps of the Philippines. 4agundi lea!es appear
palmately, in the form of fi!e pointed lea!es which
splay out like the fingers of a hand. 4agundi lea!es
are 5#foliate, rarely with ( leaflets only. 4agundi
lea!es are 6#&' cm long, slightly hairy beneath. "he
lagundi flowers are blue to la!ender, 7#) mm long
bearing fruit globose of about 6mm in diameter that
turns black when ripe.

Health Benefits
4agundi has been traditionally used as herbal
medicine by Philippine folks. "he efficacy of 4agundi
has also been !erified by the Philippine 0epartment
of 1ealth and other Philippine based scientists which
concentrated on its use to ease respiratory
complaints. 4agundi is generally used for the
treatment of coughs, asthma symptoms, and other
respiratory problems. 4agundi is also known for its
analgesic effect that helps alle!iate pain and
discomfort. 8ther traditional benefits that are deri!ed
from the use of 4agundi are as follows:
9elief of asthma : pharyngitis
9ecommended relief of
rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea
"reatment of cough, colds, fe!er and flu and
other bronchopulmonary disorders
lle!iate symptoms of *hicken Po/
9emo!al of worms, and boils
LUYA
4uya, 4uyang 0ilaw or ;inger, It is the rhi$ome of
the plant <ingiber officinale. It lends its name to its
genus and family +<ingiberaceae.. 8ther notable
members of this plant family are turmeic, cardamom,
and galangal.. 4uya or ;inger has been used
throughout recorded history for both culinary and
medicinal purposes.
4uya, luyang dilaw or ginger is an erect, smooth
plant with thickened and aromatic rootstocks. 4uya
or ginger has 4eafy stems that are '.6 to & meter
high. ;inger 4ea!es are distichous, lanceolate to
linear#lanceolate, &5#=5 cm long, and = cm wide or
less. 4uya scape from rootstock is erect, &5#=5 cm
high, co!ered with imbricate bracts. *aly/ is & cm
long. *orolla is greenish#yellow with a tube less than
= cm long .
"he taste of luyang dilaw or ginger is distinct,
brought about by the $ingerone and shogoal
substances that it has, gi!ing the plant its pungent
properties. s herbal medicine, 4uyang 0ilaw has
long been used as a cold, cough, fe!er, and sore
throat remedy.
Herbal Medicine
4uya or ginger has been used as herbal medicine in
many cultures for hundreds of years, 4uya or ginger
is claimed to ha!e many medicinal !alue, from
antibacterial, anti# inflamatory to anti nausea and
treatment of sore throat. 4uya or ginger is popularly
used for sore throat pre!ention and treatment. 4uya
is also widely used as herbal medicine to pre!ent or
treat nausea and !omiting associated with motion
sickness. 4uya is safe to use in pregnancy, and also
being used for treatment of nausea associated in
cancer chemotherapy. 4uya or ginger is also used as
support against inflamatory. 4uya or ginger is also
used as digesti!e aid for mild stomach upset, to
lower cholesterol le!el, anti !iral and anti bacterial
properties and for the treatment of cancer. "he
Philippine 0epartment of 1ealth has endorsed luya,
luyang dilaw or ginger as an alternati!e herbal
medicine for its anti bacterial properties and its
efficacy for controlling sore throats, lowering
cholesterol le!els and nausea.
ALAGAW
lagaw Benefits related alternati!e medicine
supplements and !itamins. lso e/plore information
on treatment, health benefits : side effects with
lagaw Benefits. ,any of the sources come from our
>ncyclopedia of Natural 1ealth and include rele!ant
health topics. ?ses !ary, but may include , Impro!ing
Skin "one, and Promoting 1ealing and are non#%0
re!iewed or appro!ed, natural alternati!es, to use for
, 1eart 0isease, and 0ry Skin.
lagaw is a small hairy tree, ( to @ meters high.
4ea!es are o!ate to broadly o!ate, &' to ='
centimeters long, with broad, rounded, or somewhat
heart#shaped base, and pointed tips. ?nder surface
of the blade is usually co!ered with short hairs,
aromatic when crushed. %lowers are greenish#white
or nearly white, 6 to 5 millimeters long and borne on
terminal inflorescences +cymes. @ to =' centimeters
in diameter. %ruit is fleshy, dark purple, rounded,
about 5 millimeters in diameter.
Benefits of Alagaw
0ecoction of fresh lea!es used for !aginal
irrigation.
0ecoction of lea!es for fe!er and colds,
cough and bronchitis, fe!er blisters of the lips
and stomachaches.
ABochoi,A a local patent preparation, is
claimed to benefit tuberculosis.
0ecoction of lea!es used for flatulence +gas
pains. in adultsC in children, crushed lea!es
mi/ed with a little coconut or sesame oil are
applied to the abdomen.
*rushed lea!es applied to forehead and
temples for headaches.
4eaf decoction has been used for
tuberculosis.
9oots are chewed and the sali!a swallowed
for cardiac troubles.
Infusion of lea!es is carminati!e.
0ecoction of roots, lea!es, flowers, and fruits
used as sudorific, pectoral, and carminati!e.
0ecoction of shoots used as parasiticide.
0ecoction of lea!es used for bathing infantsC
also used as treatment for beriberi.
>/tract of lea!es for cleaning wounds and for
ticks and fleas.
COGON GRASS
"he perennial plant grows to about &.= m by '.7 m.
It is in flower from ugust to September, and the
seeds ripen from September to 8ctober. "he
flowers are hermaphrodite +ha!e both male and
female organs. and are pollinated by wind. "he
plant re2uires well#drained soil and can grow in
nutritionally poor soil. It cannot grow in the shade.
It can tolerate drought and maritime e/posure.
"he white segmented root of the plant is rich in
water and the Duice is sweet.
Properties:
Sweet in fla!or, cold in nature, it is related to the
lung, stomach and bladder channels.

%unctions:
9emo!es heat from the blood to stop bleeding and
clears away heat to induce diuresis.

pplications:
&. "o treat bleeding syndromes due to in!asion of
pathogenic heat into the blood:
*ogongrass root can clear heat from the lung,
stomach and urinary bladder channels and remo!e
heat from the blood to stop bleeding, so it is used
for bleeding syndromes due to in!asion of
pathogenic heat into the blood, such as
hemoptysis +e/pectoration of blood from some part
of the respiratory tract., hematemesis +!omiting
blood., epista/is +nosebleed., hematuria +blood in
urine., etc.
It can be used alone or in combination with other
blood#cooling hemostats.
=. "o treat strangury +slow and painful spasmodic
discharge of urine drop by drop. caused by
pathogenic heat, edema, etc.:
a. Strangury caused by pathogenic heat:
*ogongrass root is used in combination with
fi!eleaf akebia stem +*aulis kebiae., talcum, etc.,
e.g., ,aogen Ein in the book F;eneral *ollection
for 1oly 9eliefF.
b. >dema and dysuria +difficult or painful discharge
of urine.:
*ogongrass root is used together with siatic
plantain seed +Semen Plantaginis., etc.
(. ,iscellaneous:
*ogongrass root can also be used for the
treatment of e/cessi!e thirst due to pathogenic
warmth or heat, !omiting due to stomach#heat,
coughing due to lung#heat, Daundice due to damp#
heat, etc.

0osage and dministration:
&5#(' g.
0ecoct for oral administration.
"he dose of the fresh herb should be doubled. It is
better for use and can be blended into Duice for
drinking. "his herb is mostly used when raw but
can also be used after being parched to arrest
bleeding.
*ogongrass root contains cylindrin, glucose,
sucrose, coi/ol, arundoin, serotonin, potassium,
calcium, etc.
"he decoction of cogongrass root has diuretic and
antipyretic effects. It can promote blood
coagulation.
,any reports re!ealed that cogongrass root is a
rather effecti!e remedy for acute nephritis. It was
reported that a group of )' cases of acute nephritis
had total daily urine !olume of &,5''#(,''' ml &#5
days after cogongrass administration. 4aboratory
e/ams showed normal urine. Blood pressure
returned to normal, too.
It also possesses some antipyretic +reduces fe!er.
action. "he flower cools the blood with some
hemostatic action. It was also reported that =&
cases of acute hepatitis +type . out of =@ were
cured with a daily dose of &'' g of cogongrass
decoction. ll the symptoms subsided within a
period of 65 days. "he other ) cases were
markedly ameliorated.
It also has some antibiotic action. Its decoction has
mild inhibitory effects on Shigella sonnei and
Shigella fle/neri.
>/tracts of the plant ha!e shown !iricidal and
anticancer acti!ity.
YERBA BUENA
Eerba buena !linopodium douglasii" is a rambling
aromatic herb of the mint family that is known and
used as herbal medicine worldwide. Eerba Buena is
a perennial plant that grows up to & meter in height
with oblong shaped lea!es with toothed margins.
%lowers are hairy and the color is bluish to purplish
with a/illary head like whorls.Eerba Buena are grown
throughout the world from North merica to sia.
"he plant takes the form of a sprawling, mat#forming
perennial, and is especially abundant close to the
coast.
Eerba Buena is more popular for its culinary
application because of its minty fla!or. ?sed in
salads and as fla!or for cooking foods. Eerba buena
aroma is also used for scents and fragrances.
Health Benefits
Eerba buena is also known for its medicinal
properties. Eerba buena is used as herbal medicine
for the treatment of many ailments which has been
traditionally used since ancient times.Studies ha!e
shown that Eerba buena contains pulegone,
menthol, menthene, menthenone and limonene.
Eerba Buena tea used as body pain relie!er.
;ood for headache, stomach ache and tooth
ache.
Eerba Buena poultice used for 9heumatism,
arthritis and headache G crush the fresh
lea!es s2uee$e sap. ,assage sap on painful
parts with eucalyptus.
Eerba Buena tea for cough and colds G.
0rink as tea. cts as an e/pectorant.
Eerba Buena as mouth wash for swollen
gums and tooth aches G steep 7 grams of
fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for ('
minutes. ?se solution as gargle.
Eerba Buena tea for menstrual and gas pain
G. 0rink infusion. It induces menstrual flow
and sweating.
Eerba Buena minty scent for nausea and
fainting G crush lea!es and apply at nostrils
of patients.
Eerba Buena lea!es for Insect bites G crush
lea!es and apply Duice on affected part or
pound lea!es until paste#like. "hen rub this
on affected part.
GUMAMELA
;umamela is a shrub that grows from one meter up
to 6 meters high. ;umamela is also known as:
1ibiscus, *hina 9ose and Shoeflower. In the
Philippines, gumamela is culti!ated as an
ornamental plant. "he gumamela flower comes in
many colors: red, yellow, orange, white, purple, pink
and other color combinations.
;umamela lea!es, usually blended with 9ose 1ip
has long been used in the ,iddle >ast and 8kinawa
as herbal tea. "oday, the use of gumamela tea is
gaining worldwide popularity # including sia.
;umamela +1ibiscus. is associated with longe!ity.
#umamela as Herbal Medicine
s herbal medicine, gumamela flower, lea!es and
roots are used. ;umamela has the following
medicinal characteristics: e/pectorant, diuretic,
emollient, anti#infectious, anti#inflammatory,
antipyretic, anodyne and refrigerant.
;umamela is used for the treatment of:
H Bronchitis # as an e/pectorant
H *oughs, sore throat
H %e!er # as refrigerant drink
H "reats dysentery
H ?rinary tract infection, bladder infections
H 1igh blood pressure
H Pre!ention of constipation
H 1eadaches
H Boils, swelling : abscesses, mumps
pplication : ?se of ;umamela:
H 0ecoction is used to treat: Bronchitis, coughs,
fe!er, dysentery, urinary and bladder infections, high
blood pressure and constipation.
H Poultice is applied e/ternally on the afflicted area.
"his is used to treat: headaches +on the forehead.,
boils, swelling, abscesses and mumps.
H Intake of gumamela +alone or mi/ed with papaya or
papaya seeds. specially in large 2uantities can be an
abortifacient.
PANSIT PANSITAN
Pansit#pansitan +Peperomia pellucida 4inn. is a
common fleshy shallow rooted herb that grows to
about &5 to 65 cm in height in damp and lightly
shaded areas. Pansit#pansitan has been used as
food item as well as a medicinal herb for its
analgesic, anti#arthritic, diuretic acti!ity. "he entire
plant is edible both cooked or raw. Pansit#pansitan
plant can grow wild but also grown as ornamental
foliage. Pansit#pansitan is characteri$ed by its shiny
heart shaped lea!es about 6 cm in length, growing
from an erect translucent green stalks. Pansit#
pansitan has tiny dot#like flowers that grow from
erect and slender green spikes that turn brown when
matured. "he fruits are also !ery small, round to
oblong, ridged, first green later black. "iny seeds
drop off that grows easily in groups.
Health Benefits And $ses
Pansit#pansitan is used as an herbal medicine for the
treatment of:
>ye inflammation,
Sore throat,
0iarrhea,
Prostate problems
1igh blood pressure
rthritis
;out
Skin boils,
Wounds,
Burns,
Skin inflammation,
abscesses,
pimples,
1eadache
%e!er,
bdominal pains
9enal problems
,ental e/citement disorder
%ansit&%ansitan Benefits 'upported B( 'cientific
'tud(
Analgesic ) Anti&inflammator( action of
%ansit&pansitan. Pansit#pansitan has been
traditionally used to treat fe!er, cough, common cold,
headache and arthritis. In a study of aerial parts of
peperomia e/tract in mice indicated that that it
e/hibited anti#inflammatory and analgesic acti!ities.
"he anti#inflammatory acti!ity was attributed to
interference with prostaglandin synthesis. In another
study done on rabbits, pansit#pansitan e/tract
e/hibited an anti#pyretic acti!ity which indicates that
it is comparable to standard aspirin.
Anti&cancer Acti*it( of %ansit&pansitan
study ha!e isolated compounds in P.Pellucida that
has inhibitory actions against growth of some cancer
cells. "his shows its potential as an anti#cancer
supplement.
Antioxidant acti*it( of %ansit&pansitan
In a study done on P.Pellucida e/tract, it has shown
that it has a strong sca!enging acti!ity against free
radicals suggesting that pansit#pansitan is a good
natural anti#o/idant.
Anti&bacterial acti*it( of %ansit&pansitan
study has isolated a compound called patuloside
, a /anthone glycoside from P. pellucida that is
found to ha!e broad spectrum antibacterial acti!ity.
Anti&arthritic Acti*it( of %ansit&pansitan
study ha!e shown that e/tracts from pansit#
pansitan combined with ibuprofen treatment has
significantly impro!ed the symptoms associated with
arthritis. Particularly that of knee Doint rheumatism.
ALOE VERA
Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis
loe 3era is a herb that grows in warm climates and
is widely distributed in Philippines, India, and frica.
loe 3era or loe !era has been used as herbal
medicine e!en in ancient times with early records of
aloe !era use from >gypt as seen in >bers Papyrus
from &7th century B*>. loe 3era is widely used as
traditional herbal medicine in *hina, Iapan, 9ussia,
South frica, the ?nited States, Iamaica, 4atin
merica and India. loe 3era is fre2uently cited as
being used in herbal medicine for its anti#
inflammatory, regenerati!e, anti#bacterial and anti#
fungal and properties. loe 3era is a herb that grows
up to (5 cm in height with green lea!es. loe 3era
lea!es are about 7 cm wide that grows up tapering
with spiny margins. loe 3era flower grows erect
from the herb to as much as twice the height of the
plant. loe 3era flowers are yellow to red yellow in
color that grows to about =cm.

Health Benefits
loe 3era is used to treat skin burns, scalds,
scrapes, sunburn and wounds. loe 3era
Duice or the fleshy lea!es is applied to the
skin, belie!ed to impro!e healing.
loe 3era us used for treatment of dandruff,
falling hair and baldness. loe 3era Duice or
sap are massage to the scalp.
loe 3era is used in conDuncti!itis, loe leaf
Duice is applied to the outer eyelid.
In small doses, loe 3era is considered
stomachic tonicC in large doses, as purgati!e.
%or hemorrhoids, loe 3era cuticle from its
lea!es is used as suppository for
hemorrhoids
In the rabian peninsula, aloe !era is used
for diabetes.

SUHA
"he pomelo is an unusual member of the citrus fruit
that has a surprising number of health benefits for
those people willing to do a bit of searching for it.
"hese impressi!e health benefits include its ability to
boost the immune system, impro!e digestion, lower
blood pressure, reduce cramping, pre!ent anemia,
boost bone strength, reduce signs of premature
aging, pre!ent cancer, protect heart health, aid in
weight loss, and boost oral and dental health.
Pomelos are considered citrus fruits, and are closely
related to grapefruits and the other members of the
*itrus genus. Its scientific name of *itrus
ma/ima because it is the largest citrus fruit. "he
closest in si$e to this king of citrus fruits is a
grapefruit. Pomelos are primarily found in Southeast
sia, which is their nati!e region, and primarily found
there. It has not become widely popular in other
parts of the world, because it typically takes @ years
before the seeds can begin to flower and bear fruit.
lso, much of the weight and !olume of pomelos is
tough and inedible, while only the inner flesh is
palatable.
"heir taste, howe!er, is 2uite pleasant, with the
consistency of grapefruits without the tart or tangy
fla!or. It is usually pale green or yellow in color, while
its edible flesh inside if pulpy and white. "he history
of its use dates back at least a few hundred years,
although it has likely been culti!ated for far longer
than that in certain Southeast sian countries. "his
is also primarily where you will find pomelos on the
market, e/cluding certain specialty import grocery
stores in the western world.
+utritional Facts of %omelos
"he reason that pomelos are popular is due to their
!ery strong nutritional !alue, including their !itamins,
minerals, and organic compounds like !itamin *,
potassium, dietary fiber, !itamin B7, and magnesium.
It does not ha!e a strong !ariety of nutrients, but the
ones that it does ha!e are in impressi!e proportions,
particularly !itamin *.
Health Benefits of %omelos
Immune System: lthough a single ser!ing is less
than an entire fruit, considering how large they are, it
isnJt a terrible idea to eat the entire fruit, considering
that each fruit contains appro/imately 7''K of your
daily !itamin * re2uirement. "his maDor source of
ascorbic acid has been used for generations in
Southeast sia as a 2uick immune system booster.
3itamin * acts as an antio/idant substance to
increase white blood cell acti!ity and attack free
radicals that can damage the organ systems of the
body. It helps to fight off infections that lead to colds,
coughs, fe!ers, and more serious symptoms or
microbial, !iral, and bacterial infections.
Digestion, ,ost fruits contain high amounts of fiber,
and pomelos are no e/ception. 8ne pomelo +the
edible flesh only., contains about =5K of your
dailyre2uirement of fiber. "his promotes healthy
digestion and eliminates problems like constipation
and diarrhea. 1igh fiber content bulks up the stool,
promotes smooth mo!ement in the digesti!e tract,
and stimulates the secretion of digesti!e and gastric
Duices to break down comple/ proteins and more
difficult to digest foods. "his keeps the digesti!e
system functioning at a high le!el.
Blood %ressure, Pomelos are a !ery good source of
potassium, and each fruit contains roughly ()K of
your daily re2uirement. Potassium is a !asodilator,
meaning that it releases tension of blood !essels and
promotes increased blood circulation and
o/ygenation of organ systems. "his also reduces
strain on the heart and lowers your chances of
atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Bod( !ramping, Potassium is also important in the
fluid balance in the body, which is a key aspect
of muscle cramping and stiffness. Without proper
le!els of potassium, which pomelos can supply, you
are likely to cramp up and become susceptible to
pulled muscles and torn ligaments.
Bone Health, Potassium intake has been connected
to bone mineral density, as it helps to facilitate the
uptake of other essential minerals for keeping the
bones strong. "herefore, pomelos can aid in
pre!enting osteoporosis and general bone weakness
throughout the body.
Anti&Aging, "he huge le!els of !itamin * in pomelos
act as antio/idants, which seek out those dangerous
free radicals. 8ne unfortunate thing that free radicals
cause is degradation of the skin and signs of
premature aging like wrinkles, sagging skin, and age
spots. 1igh !itamin * intake can pre!ent this.
Pomelos also contain spermadine, a rare chemical
that is actually found in human sperm, hence the
name. "his has been closely linked to anti#aging
properties as well.
-eight Loss, Both grapefruits and pomelos contain a
Lfat#burning en$ymeM that can help you reduce your
weight. It is called *arnitine pamitoyl#transferase,
and is not found in many foods. 1owe!er, it can
seriously boost your battle against the bulge, so
many dieters choose to include pomelo in their
healthy eating habits.
.ral and Dental Health, 3itamin * is essential for
producing collagen, which strengthens tissues,
organs, and cells. "his can boost the strength of
your gums and oral surfaces to pre!ent them from
becoming infected or weak, which can result in tooth
loss and dangerous oral illnesses.
MANGO
Health benefits
,ango fruit is rich in pre#biotic dietary fiber, !itamins,
minerals, and poly#phenolic fla!onoid antio/idant
compounds.
ccording to new research study, mango fruit has
been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia
and prostate cancers. Se!eral trial studies suggest
that polyphenolic anti#o/idant compounds in mango
are known to offer protection against breast and
colon cancers. ,ango fruit is an e/cellent source
of 3itamin# and fla!onoids like beta#carotene,
alpha#carotene, andbeta#crypto/anthin. &'' g of
fresh fruit pro!ides )75 mg or =5K of recommended
daily le!els of !itamin . "ogetherC these compounds
are known to ha!e antio/idant properties and are
essential for !ision. 3itamin is also re2uired for
maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin.
*onsumption of natural fruits rich in carotenes is
known to protect the body from lung and oral ca!ity
cancers.
%resh mango is a good source of potassium. &'' g
fruit pro!ides &57 mg of potassium while Dust = mg of
sodium. Potassium is an important component of cell
and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and
blood pressure. It is also a !ery good source of
!itamin#B7 +pyrido/ine., !itamin#* and !itamin#>.
*onsumption of foods rich in !itamin * helps the
body de!elop resistance against infectious agents
and sca!enge harmful o/ygen#free radicals. 3itamin
B#7 or pyrido/ine is re2uired for ;B hormone
production within the brain. It also controls
homocystiene le!els within the blood, which may
otherwise be harmful to blood !essels resulting in
*0 and stroke.
%urther, it composes moderate amounts of copper.
*opper is a co#factor for many !ital en$ymes,
including cytochrome c#o/idase and supero/ide
dismutase +other minerals function as co#factors for
this en$yme are manganese and $inc.. *opper is
also re2uired for the production of red blood cells.
dditionally, mango peel is also rich in
phytonutrients, such as the pigment antio/idants like
carotenoids and polyphenols.
SALUYOT
Scientific Name: !orchorus olitorius
Is an edible leafy !egetable that is a member of the
genus *orchorus, classified under the subfamily
;rewioideae of the family ,al!aceae. Saluyot is
widely found in tropical and subtropical areas from
sia to frica !alued as food and for its strong fiber.
Saluyot has long been used as food staple since
ancient times by Iewish people and >gyptians hence
deri!ed its >nglish names IewJs mallow and
>gyptian spinach. Saluyot lea!es are !ery nutritious,
it is rich in calcium, iron, protein, !itamin , * and >,
thiamin, ribofla!in, niacin, folate, and dietary fibers.
Saluyot is usually cooked as stew, forming a thick
slimy syrup similar in consistency to okra usually
taken with rice or other starchy staple. Saluyot can
almost grow anywhere in the Philippines. Saluyot is
a hardy plant that is resistant to pests and re2uires
little care. It can be found in the wild as it can also be
grown in a farm. Saluyot plants are tall, reaching =#6
meters in height, ha!ing only a few side branches.
Saluyot lea!es are alternate, simple, lanceolate,
about 5#&5 cm in length tapering to a pointed tip and
has finely serrated margin. Saluyot flowers are
yellow about =#( cm wide with fi!e petals.
Health Benefits
Saluyot being rich in !itamins and minerals
generally promotes good health and well#
being.
Saluyot being rich in !itamin can pro!ide
health benefits for good eyesight.
Saluyot contains !itamin > and other
antio/idants. It is said to pre!ent wrinkles and
promote youthful looking skin.
Saluyot is used to treat inflammation and pain
such as arthritis , headache, stomach ache
and others.
Saluyot being rich in fiber helps to control
blood pressure, cholesterol build#up, diabetes
and pre!ents heart disease.
Saluyot lea!es are rich in fiber and its slimy
consistency when cooked is used to treat
!arious digesti!e problems such as diarrhea,
stomach ache, dysentery, constipation and
ulcers.
It is also claimed that together with other
herbs it can cure cancer.
ALUGBATI
lugbati or malabar spinach is a succulent, branched
herbaceous !ine that can grow to a length of se!eral
meters. Its stems can be green or purple. "he lea!es
are somewhat fleshy and heart#shaped, about 5#&=
centimeters in length. It also has spikes which can
grow from 5 to =- cm in length. Its flowers are pink
and about 6 millimeters +mm. long.
Benefits
ccording to ,aria 3icente ,agpantay of the
National Nutrition *ouncil +NN*., alugbati is one of
the !egetables that are packed with nutrients and
including it in your diet can help keep you safe from
maDor non#communicable diseases.
lugbati is rich in dietary fiber which is known to fight
constipation.
0ietary fiber from alugbati can also help reduce
blood cholesterol le!els, lowers the risk of heart
disease, pre!ents formation of hemorrhoids and
di!erticulosis, and gi!es a feeling satiety, or a feeling
of fullness.
lugbati is also rich in iron which helps pre!ents
anemia.
,eanwhile, in a research done by the 0epartment of
griculture +0., it is found out that alugbati is rich in
!itamins and *, and calcium as well.
3itamin strengthens the immune system. It helps
in the production of white blood cells which fight
bacteria and !iruses that cause diseases.
3itamin *, on the other hand, repairs tissues in all
parts of our body and gi!es us free radicals and anti#
o/idants.
0 says alugbati contains =- to &77 milligrams of
calcium. It keeps our bones and teeth healthy as well
as our muscles, ner!es, and hormone function. It
decreases the risk of de!eloping osteoporosis.
>ating green leafy !egetable like alugbati can help
us li!e longer. s per World 1ealth 8rgani$ationJs
report, low !egetable intake is among the top &' risk
factors attributable to mortality. Gwith reports from
Philippine Information gency
MALUNGGAY
Is a popular plant known for nutritional !alue as well
as a herbal medicine. ,alunggay is a plant that
grows in the tropical climates such as the
Philippines, India and frica. ,alunggay is widely
used as !egetable ingredient in cooking, as herbal
medicine for a number of illness and other practical
uses. "he ,alunggay plant can grow to as high as -
meters with erect white trunks. "he compound leaf
has about ( to - leaflets. ,alunggay has white
fragrant flowers that produces long pods with (#
angled winged seeds.,alunggay may be propagated
by planting its seeds about an inch in the ground or
matured malunggay stem cuttings of about ( feet in
length may also be planted into the ground. Planted
malunggay cuttings grows faster compared to
planted seeds.
Health benefits
,alunggay +,oringa 8leifera. has been used
as herbal medicine in many cultures for
hundreds of years, ,alunggay is known as a
!ery nutritious plant where it is used to
combat malnutrition in third world countries
especially for infants and nursing mothers.
"he malunggay pods are the most !alued
and widely used part of the plant. ,alunggay
pods contains essential amino acids, !itamins
and other nutrients. ,alunggay pods may be
eaten raw or may be prepared or cooked.
,alunggay pods may be fried and may
produce a clear, odorless and sweet oil
mostly called # Ben 8il.
,alunggay lea!es may be eaten as greens,
in salads and as !egetable ingredients for
soups and other tropical !iands.
,alunggay flowers are cooked and eaten
either mi/ed with other foods or fried in
batter.
,edical ?ses 8f ,alunggay # 1ealth Benefits
,alunggay, combat malnutrition, used to combat
malnutrition, especially among infants and
nursing mothers !itamins , B and *, calcium,
iron and protein
,alunggay # nti infectious: ntibacterialC nti
%ungal, . In late &-6'Fs, "he 0epartment of
Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science in
Bangalore +P4N 9ao. ha!e found that malunggay
or ,oringa 8leifera lea!es contain a
compoundApterygosperminA that is known in
medical science as ha!ing antimicrobial,
antibacterial, anti fungal properties.
,alunggay # nti *ancer ,alunggay or ,oringa has
been shown in studies to ha!e an anti#tumor
capacity. ,oringa contains ben$yl isothiocyanate.
"here are many studies that ha!e shown this
chemical and compounds deri!ed thereof to ha!e
anti#cancer and chemoprotecti!e capabilities. "his
chemoprotecti!e aspect is critical for those who are
battling cancerC this helps strengthen cells so that
they can tolerate chemotherapy. ,alunggay is also
considered in the treatment of prostate cancer and
skin cancer,alunggay # anti#inflamatory: ,alunggay
has been found to inhibit inflammation in a controlled
scientific study conducted by Philippine 08S"
Scientists +melia P. ;ue!ara, *arolyn 3argas and
,ilagros ?y.. When an a2uous seed e/tract of
malunggay has been administered to a carrageenan
induced inflammation, its was noted that the a2uous
seed e/tract of the ,alunggay +,oringa 8leifera.
inhibited the de!elopment of edema in ratpaw. "he
,alunggay is traditionally used to pre!ent and treat
inflammations associated with rheumatism, arthritis
and Doint pains.
,alunggay # 9eproducti!e health. %uglie 4I +&---.
"he ,iracle "ree: ,oringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition
for the "ropics has reported that ,alunggay or
,oringa 8leifera is widely belie!ed to ha!e an
aphrodisiac action that enhances the se/ual acti!ity.
,alunggay or moringa oleifera young lea!es is also
widely used to increase the flow of milk for lactating
mothers.
Parts utili$ed
KAMIAS
%roperties and constituents
H *onsidered antibacterial, astringent, antiscorbutic,
febrifuge, antidiabetic, stomachic, refrigerant.
H Study on !olatile components of B fruits showed 7
mgNkg of total !olatile compoundsC 7= compounds
were identified, nonanal and +<.#(#he/enol were
dominant.
$ses
Nutrition
>aten raw.
Prepared as a relish and food fla!oring.
Fol/loric
O Skin diseases, especially with pruritus: 9educe the
lea!es to a paste and apply tolerably warm to areas
of affected skin.
O %ruit Duice used as eye drops.
O Post#partum and rectal inflammation: Infusion of
lea!es.
O ,umps, acne, and locali$ed rheumatic complaints:
Paste of lea!es applied to affected areas.
O Warm paste of lea!es also used for pruritus.
O ?sed for boils, piles, rheumatism, cough,
hypertension, whooping cough, mumps and pimples.
O *ough and thrush: Infusion of flowers, 6' grams to
a pint of boiling water, 6 glasses of tea daily.
O %e!er: %ruit as a cooling drink.
O "he fruit has been used for a !ariety of maladies:
beriberi, cough, pre!ention of scur!y.
O Infusion of lea!es also drank as a protecti!e tonic
after childbirth.
# In ,alaysia, lea!es are used for !enereal diseases.
O In Indonesia, lea!es used for boils, diabetes,
mumps, fe!er.
O In %rench ;uyana, fruit decoction or syrup use for
hepatitis, diarrhea, fe!er and other inflammatory
conditions.
8thers
O Because of high o/alic acid content, fruit used to
remo!e stains from clothing and for washing hands,
remo!ing rust and stains from metal blades.
,edical Studies
H 1ypoglycemic N 1ypotriglyceridemic N nti#
therogenic N nti#4ipid Pero/idati!e: >ffects of
!errhoa bilimbi leaf e/tract on blood glucose and
lipids in strepto$otocin#diabetic rats: Study showed
that B e/tract has hypoglycemic,
hypotriglyceridemic, anti#lipid pero/idati!e and anti#
atherogenic properties in S"<#diabetic rats.
H ntio/idant N ntimicrobial cti!ities: "he
sca!enging of N8 by the e/tract of * fruits was
dependent on concentration and stage of ripening.
>/tracts showed antimicrobial acti!ity against > coli,
Salmonella typhi, staph aureus and bacillus cereus.
H Phytochemicals N ntimicrobial: Phytochemical
screening of fruit e/tracts yielded fla!onoids,
saponins and triterpenoids but no alkaloids. "he
chloroform and methanol fruit e/tracts were acti!e
agains/t eromonas hydrophilia, > coli, B
pneumonia, S cerre!isiae, S aureus, Strep
agalactiae and B subtilis. In conclusion, B fruits
possess potential antibacterial acti!ities that
warrants further studies.
H nti#diabetic: Study showed the a2ueous fraction
was more potent than the butanol fraction in the
amelioration of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in
a high fat diet#fed S"< diabetic rats and suggests the
% as the potential source for isolation of the acti!e
principle for oral antidiabetic therapy.
H nti#bacterial: Study of the a2ueous e/tract of B
lea!es and fruits showed antibacterial acti!ity against
;ram#positi!e and ;ram#negati!e bacteria. "he
antibacterial acti!ity could be associated with the
presence of bioacti!e compounds of the fla!onoids
type, like luteolin and apigenin. "he results suggest
further studies to isolate and identify the responsible
compounds.