Herbal Blog

• 29Mar

  Sampalok (Tamarindus indica)

  Home Remedies, Medicinal Plants 2 Comments
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  Tamarind is a fruit which is rich in essential oils and citric acid. It can be used as anti-helminthic, astringent and tonic. It well known that tonic baths or aromatic baths has been traditionally practiced. By boiling the leaves of tamarind in water, the decoction can be used as bathing solution or decoction after childbirth. Other traditional use of tamarind is to mix the pulp of the fruit in water and using it as an anti-pyretic (for fever).

  The fruit is a good source of Vitamins B-complex and C.

  Tags: sampalok, tamarind

• 18Mar

  Flower Power: Butones-butonesan

  Medicinal Plants 6 Comments
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  Butones-butonesan (Gomphrena globosa) is rich in bioactive substances such as phytonutrients, anti-oxidants (anti-free radicals), Vitamins A, Vitamin E, and the group B vitamins. It also contains minerals such as the rare or trace minerals: Germanium, Selenium, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Manganese, and Potassium.

  Butones-butonesan also has Phytosterol Saponosides as well as amino acids The phytosterols are hormone-like substances that protect against hypertension, arthritis, migraines and colitis. These saponosides are believed to relieve arthritic symptoms, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also serves to detoxify the body by absorbing some active compounds that causes pain. It prevents skin wrinkles. It also allows relaxation, especially for women suffering from dysmenorrhea and symptoms of menopause. Although saponosides promotes sleep, it also increases memory stimulation, concentrations and alertness.

  The medicinal property is good and this is in the form of tea preparation of the flowers. You can put this on regular tea preparations since it is odorless and tasteless.

  Tags: Butones-butonesan

• 02Mar

  Talinum (Talinum triangulare)

  Medicinal Plants 7 Comments
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  Talinum as we know it from the local dialect is the same name of the genera. It is widely available in the tropics and is also commonly known as Surinam purslane, Philippine spinach, Ceylon spinach, Florida spinach, and Lagos bologi.

  Apparently, we have a number of so-called spinach as this name also applies to amaranth. What is remarkable about this plant is that it has a rich amount of protein in almost the same as amaranth. Therefore we view this plant mainly as a potentially good support to under nutrition.

  The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) has included talinum as an ethnic food with high nutritional value and BAR is actually promoting its consumption. It is easy to propagate and very economical since we can plant it almost in any soil. In Nigeria, the University of Ilorin, has done experimental work on the value of this ethnic vegetable as protecting the liver, able to reduce fatty liver and “bad” cholesterol in experimental animals. We also caution everyone interested in propagating this vegetable because it adsorbs all types of metals where it is planted, apparently without exception, including arsenic. Although it true that most plants will absorb soil contaminants, talinum could absorb heavy metals more than other plants. So the lesson here is that we should be careful that we use good soil in propagating talinum.

  Talinum can be prepared just like spinach; so we can have stir-fry, spinach calzone, and of course just boiled spinach.

• 24Feb

  Consider the Health Potency of Onions

  Medicinal Plants 1 Comment
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  Onion (Allium cepa) is a very common household vegetable but also it maybe commonly ignored as its health benefits. Onions belong to the lily family and closely associated with garlic being of the same family (Alliaceae) and genera (Allium).  It a vegetable in almost all types of dishes, sharp in taste and odor; it has antiseptic properties against a variety of bacteria and is rich in minerals such as iron, chromium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamins A, B (especially folic acid), and C.  Historical data indicates that it is very old medicinal vegetable, as far back as 4000 or 5000 BC. If we consider the numerous health benefits of antioxidants, it’s probably onion that will rank the top among the medicinal plants due its rich amount of quercetin.   Although much hype has been associated with quercetin, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has not considered it to be definitive in the treatment of cancer; however, ACS considers it to reduce the risk of certain cancers.  What is strikingly beneficial about onions is that it can also lower the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol and providing benefits to slow down coagulation which is preventive of stroke.  Although there have been claims about quercetin to similar to chemicals produced by cancer cells, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified quercetin to belong to Group 3 or an agent which is not classifiable to produce cancer in humans or technically non carcinogenic.

  Onions are also a rich source of fibers and are beneficial to the colon. Aside from the fiber, it has fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) which supports good bacteria such as Lactobacilli.  So remarkable is this vegetable such that it is anti-bacterial and yet it supports good bacteria. What’s more, it is commonly used to improve defense and well being when taken if we have colds and flu.

  As we have been using onions to our liking ad libitum, in salads, soups, pasta, etc. we are convinced that with our long history of onion use and amounts consumed, onions are more beneficial to humans than otherwise. It is recommended to have 50 gms of fresh onions daily or 20 gms of dried onions. We even have local folks who have eaten onions like apples and have lived to 80 years and longer. So enjoy your meals with onions.

• 26Jan

  Euphorbia hirta

  Medicinal Plants 6 Comments
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  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.

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