Herbal Blog

Snake weed locally known as tawa-tawa, gatasgatas or mangagaw (Visayan) has been popular in recent times because it was reported to help patients with dengue. This herb or weed is not only found in the Philippines but throughout Asia. It originated from Central America. This plant is a creeping and is considered a weed. However, ethomedical data in Indian and Asian traditional medicine indicate that the plant is used mostly for intestinal disorders such as diarrhea and antihelminthic and to a lesser extent topical for conjunctivitis and even for respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. This plant is slightly poisonous.

For dengue, the decoction of the leaves is used and is given orally; 1 glass, about 2-3x daily until the patient improves. The most notable component of this plant is its high concentration of a bioactive substance, quercetrin, a bioflavonoid. Apparently, the phytochemical increases intestinal reabsorption and reduces prostaglandin I2, E2 and D2. It was also reported that it reduces platelet aggregation and inflammation. It also contains polyphenols, triterpenes and phytosterols.

In addition recent reports have indicated that E. hirta produces sedative or anxiolytic effects at very high doses.

The Philippines has abundant supply of pineapples from local producers. This fruit is popular locally and is also exported. More than just a tropical fruit in salads, cake ingredients and eaten as it is, pineapple is rich in fiber, Vitamins A, E and C as well as minerals phosphorus, iron and calcium.  These make pineapple a cheap material for daily detoxification. First, the fiber helps the body eliminate unwanted fat from the diet and the minerals allow a healthy exchange of toxic materials for a natural flush.

The enzyme in pineapple, called bromelain, helps eliminate intestinal parasites. What’s more, the combination of bromelain from pineapple plus resveratrol from grapes has been found to be synergistic in helping people achieve weight loss. Resveratrol is available in the local market as “Slenda”.  We therefore recommend that people using the product “Slenda” also eat pineapple as part of a daily healthy diet. Can pineapple juice be substitute? Yes, you can if the juice is made from 100% pineapple.