10 Herbal Medicines Found in the Philippines Approved by DOH

Below is the list of medicinal plants that the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) through it “Traditional Health Program” has approved. These 10 herbs have been thoroughly tested and have been clinically proven effective or have a medicinal value in relief and treatment of various ailments.

1. Akapulko (Cassia alata) - also known as “bayabas-bayabasan” and “ringworm bush” in English, this herbal medicine is used to treat ringworm and skin fungal infections.

2. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) - known as “bitter gourd” or “bitter melon” in English, it has most known as a treatment of diabetes (diabetes mellitus), for the non-insulin dependent patients.

3. Bawang (Allium sativum) - popularly known as “garlic”, it mainly reduces cholesterol in the blood and hence, helps control blood pressure.

4. Bayabas (Psidium guajava) - “guava” in English. It is primarily used as an antiseptic, to disinfect wounds. Also, it can be used as a mouth wash to treat tooth decay and gum infection.

5. Lagundi (Vitex negundo) - known in English as the “5-leaved chaste tree”. Its main use is for the relief of coughs and asthma.

6. Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.) - is a vine known as “Chinese’s honey suckles”. It is effective in the elimination of intestinal worms, particularly the Ascaris and Trichina. Only the dried matured seeds are medicinal -crack and ingest the dried seeds two hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults). If one dose does not eliminate the worms, wait a week before repeating the dose.

7. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)- English name: Blumea camphora. A diuretic that helps in the excretion of urinary stones. It can also be used as an edema.

8. Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla Lam.) - Prepared like tea, this herbal medicine is effective in treating intestinal motility and also used as a mouth wash since the leaves of this shrub has high fluoride content.

9. Ulasimang Bato | Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida) - It is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea. For the decoction, boil a cup of clean chopped leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, let cool and drink a cup after meals (3 times day).

10. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasi) - commonly known as Peppermint, this vine is used as an analgesic to relive body aches and pain. It can be taken internally as a decoction or externally by pounding the leaves and applied directly on the afflicted area.

Tips on Handling Medicinal Plants / Herbs:

• If possible, buy herbs that are grown organically - without pesticides.

• Medicinal parts of plants are best harvested on sunny mornings. Avoid picking leaves, fruits or nuts during and after heavy rainfall.

• Leaves, fruits, flowers or nuts must be mature before harvesting. Fewer medicinal substances are found on young parts.

• After harvesting, if drying is required, it is advisable to dry the plant parts either in the oven or air-dried on screens above ground and never on concrete floors.

• Store plant parts in sealed plastic bags or brown bottles in a cool dry place without sunlight preferably with a moisture absorbent material like charcoal. Leaves and other plant parts that are prepared properly, well-dried and stored can be used up to six months.

Tips on Preparation for Intake of Herbal Medicines:

• Use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh parts like leaves when using dried parts.

• Do not use stainless steel utensils when boiling decoctions. Only use earthen, enameled, glass or alike utensils.

• As a rule of thumb, when boiling leaves and other plant parts, do not cover the pot, and boil in a low flame.

• Decoctions lose potency after some time. Dispose of decoctions after one day. To keep fresh during the day, keep lukewarm in a flask or thermos.

• Always consult with a doctor if symptoms persist or if any sign of allergic reaction develops.

Heartburn Home Remedy

The word evokes an image of great concern: heart on fire, sizzling and smoking, without a firefighter in sight. Fortunately, the word is a misnomer. Not your heart is burning, it is the esophagus. However, the acidity is easier to say that “esophagusburn.”

Your esophagus, the tube that carries food that is swallowed to the stomach, can literally be burned by the acids released by the stomach.

Unfortunately, we can experience something called reflux, or acid reflux. It was then that some of the contents of the stomach, including acid, glide back up through the esophageal sphincter, the valve that is supposed to prevent stomach contents from reversing course. Reflux causes an uncomfortable feeling, burning between the stomach and neck. Most people feel discomfort under the breastbone.

Occasionally, the acid continues to come until you have a bite of something bitter and sour. You may have some pain in your gut or chest. Along with the acid can reach a burp, one that can bring even more of stomach acid with it.

In general, acidity is not serious. In fact, small amounts of reflux are normal and most people do not even notice because the causes, we swallow to eliminate the acid back down into the stomach in place. When the stomach begins to fire again the amounts are higher than normal, especially on a regular basis or during an extended period of time, that’s when the real problem begins, and simple heartburn can turn into esophageal inflammation or bleeding.

There are several prescription drugs for the treatment of long-term heartburn or acid reflux or severe, and the counter remedies are available at your pharmacy, too. However, there are several home remedies right in your own kitchen you can fight the fire of heartburn. If you suffer from heartburn, read on - here are some tips for cooling the flames and prevent outbreak heartburn.

1, Acid in your stomach helps digest food, but your body makes much more than it needs. Shutting down production of this stinging stuff means there will be less of it swishing around in your stomach, just waiting to wash upward and burn your esophagus. Pharmacies sell low-dose, over-the-counter (OTC) versions of medications that block stomach acid from forming. (The higher doses of these drugs are available only by prescription.) These so-called H2 (or histamine) blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and ranitidine (Zantac 75), seem to help about half of heartburn sufferers.Medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are even more effective at reducing acid.

Most of these drugs require a prescription, however. And even though one PPI, omeprazole (Prilosec), is available OTC, most gastroenterologists recommend patients undergo endoscopy (a diagnostic procedure in which a lighted, flexible tube is inserted through the mouth and down the throat to visualize the upper gastrointestinal tract) before beginning treatment with a PPI.

2: Take an antacid - Over-the-counter antacids in tablet or liquid form can help cool the burn. Take a dose about every six hours as needed. Don’t overdo it, though, because too much antacid can cause constipation or diarrhea. Even if you forget to take an antacid during the day, you should try to remember to take one at bedtime if you suffer from frequent heartburn. You need to protect your esophagus from the pooling of stomach acids that commonly occurs at night, when you are horizontal for hours on end. Heartburn that occurs during the night causes more damage than daytime heartburn.

3: Keep your head up - Another way to protect your esophagus while you sleep is to elevate the head of your bed. That way, you’ll be sleeping on a slope, and gravity will work for you in keeping your stomach contents where they belong. Put wooden blocks under the legs at the head of your bed to raise it about six inches. Avoid waterbeds too, as your body basically lies flat on the water-filled mattress. You can’t effectively elevate your chest and therefore can’t prevent your stomach contents from spilling out into your esophagus.

4: Be careful when you eat - Tempting as it may look, the couch is not your friend after you eat a meal. People who lie down with a full stomach are asking for trouble. Wait at least an hour before you lie down. In fact, it’s b­est if you can wait two to three hours — the time it takes the stomach to empty — after a meal to go to bed. While you’re waiting, stay upright.. A stomach ballooned by too much food and drink may partly empty in the wrong direction, so pass on seconds as well.

5: Watch what you drink - The caffeine in coffee relaxes the esophageal sphincter, which can lead to reflux. But even decaffeinated coffee may cause reflux problems: Research suggests the oils contained in both regular and decaffeinated coffee may play a role in heartburn. Experiment to see if cutting your coffee intake lessens your heartburn.

Alcohol can relax the sphincter and irritate the stomach, too, which can lead to reflux.

Additionally, slow down on soda. The carbon dioxide in soda pop and other bubbly drinks can cause stomach distention, which can push the contents of the stomach up into the esophagus.

6: Look forward to delivery - Pregnancy can cause heartburn, particularly in the third trimester when your growing baby is pushing up against your stomach. If you still have heartburn after making lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals, talk with your doctor about taking an antacid.

7: Check your painkiller - If you’re about to pop a couple of aspirin in your mouth, think again. Aspirin, ibuprofen and products that contain them can burn the esophagus as well as the stomach. Opt for acetaminophen for pain relief. For a list of precautions to take when using over-the-counter analgesics.

8: Don’t smoke - Nicotine from cigarette smoke irritates the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, as well as the stomach lining, so smokers tend to get more heartburn.

9: Drink the right liquids - Drink water in between meals, not with meals. If you drink fluids with meals, you increase the volume of stomach contents, which makes it easier for heartburn to happen. You can also try these stomach-cooling juices for heartburn relief: papaya, mango, guava, pear. Or run a cabbage or raw potatoes through a juicer for a natural drink to soothe stomach burn.

Buttermilk is also an acid-reliever, but don’t confuse it with regular milk, which can be an acid-maker, especially if you are bothered by lactose intolerance.

10: Eat soothing foods - Chewing 6 or 8 blanched almonds during an episode of heartburn may relieve the symptoms. Chew them well, though, to avoid swallowing air and causing yourself more discomfort.

You can also try brown rice, plain or with a little sweetening. Rice is a complex carbohydrate and is a bland food, which is less likely to increase acidity or relax the sphincter muscle.

Soda crackers (preferably unsalted) are bland, they digest easily, and they absorb stomach acid as well. They also contain bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar, which neutralize the acid. Tip: You know that package of soda crackers they always give you at the restaurant, that you leave on the table? From now on, take them with you. These come in handy when you’re plagued by heartburn and can’t seek immediate relief.

11: Reach for apples - Apples cool the burn of stomach acid. Eat them fresh, with the skin still on, or cook them for desserts. Apple honey is also a simple remedy that will neutralize stomach acids. Peel, core and slice several sweet apples. Simmer with a little water over low heat for three hours until the mixture is thick, brown, and sweet to the taste. Refrigerate in an airtight container and take a few spoonfuls whenever you have the need. Or, make a compote of baked pumpkin and apples, spiced with cinnamon and honey, for a dessert that’s both curative and tasty.

12: Go to the spice rack - Cardamom. This old-time digestive aid may help relieve the burn of acid indigestion. Add it to baked goodies such as sweet rolls or fruit cake, or sprinkle, with a pinch of cinnamon, on toast. It works well in cooked cereals, too.

Cinnamon. This is a traditional remedy for acid relief. Brew a cup of cinnamon tea from a cinnamon stick. Or try a commercial brand, but check the label. Cinnamon tea often has black tea in it, which is a cause of heartburn, so make sure your commercial brand doesn’t contain black tea. For another acid-busting treat, make cinnamon toast.

Ginger. A tea from this root can soothe that burning belly. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger root to 1 cup water; simmer for ten minutes. Drink as needed.

Sage. A sage tea can relieve stomach weakness that allows acid to be released back into the esophagus.

13: Make your own antacid - Place 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass water. Check the antacid use information on the box before using this remedy, however. Warning! If you’re on a salt-restricted diet, do not use baking soda. It’s loaded with sodium. And do not use it if you’re experiencing nausea, stomachache, gas, cramps, or stomach distention from overeating.

You can also mix 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in a glass of water. Take 1 teaspoon of the solution as needed.

At the first sign of heartburn, try mixing 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 cup warm water.

14: Take it easy - Stress can prompt increased acid secretion and cause the esophageal sphincter to malfunction. Make sure you take the time to chew thoroughly as well. Sometimes heartburn will flare because the food is simply too large to get through the digestive tract and it, along with the acids, is forced back up.

These home remedies should help you keep your heartburn under control. However, if your heartburn is frequent and severe, be sure you talk to your doctor about it.

About the author

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Bad Breath - What Can Be Done About It?

FROM ancient times men have pondered the problem of bad breath. It is an embarrassing problem. What are the causes, and how can it be overcome?

First of all, it is well to keep in mind that there are variations in breath odor. “Morning breath” may be pungent and heavy. During the night, saliva flow is diminished along with the cleansing action of the tongue, lips and cheeks when swallowing or talking. “Morning breath” is accentuated by mouth breathing or chronic illness.

You seldom notice your own breath odor because the air that you breathe passes out along the lower part of the nasal cavities, whereas the nerve endings for the sense of smell are in the upper part. How, then, can you tell what your breath odor is like? Breathing into your cupped hands and sniffing may give you a hint.

The advertising agencies hired by drug firms to promote the sale of breath products have powerfully suggested (perhaps somewhat deceptively) that an unpleasant breath condition is due solely to inadequate oral hygiene. Today’s Health magazine reports that teen-agers have been so affected by this advertising that many consider halitosis more disastrous than leprosy or syphilis.

True halitosis or bad breath is actually a symptom rather than a disease. It comes from causes rooted in the oral cavity and connecting passages or in the overall system.

Improper oral hygiene is no doubt the cause of much bad breath. A common mistake in oral hygiene was recently discussed by a dentist of fifteen years’ experience. He found that many persons believed they were exercising careful oral hygiene by brushing their teeth only before breakfast and before going to sleep. Their mouths, he said, “are unclean for perhaps sixteen hours each day, and they are clean for only the amount of time they are abed.”

Use of Toothbrush and Dental Floss

Regular use of the toothbrush after eating is very important for good oral hygiene. This is because one of the main causes of continual bad breath is the tiny food particles that remain in the mouth after meals. These begin to decompose within less than a half hour after eating, causing bad odor.

Many teen-agers may not think the toothbrush is so important in combating bad breath. This is pointed out in the book Your Children’s Teeth, in which Theodore Berland and Dr. Alfred E. Seyler write:

“Many [youths] seek frantically to sweeten their oral air, chewing vigorously on gum, sucking on candy, or rinsing with mouthwash. Ironically, their toothbrush is still their best friend, even though it has been deserted. . . . Tooth decay by itself is probably not a very important reason for bad breath; but food which collects in cavities or in pockets around and between the teeth is.”

So the most effective way of getting rid of food particles that cause bad breath is to brush your teeth regularly after eating. If you have a snack at bedtime, be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly before going to sleep. When you are asleep, mouth motion is slight and bacteria can especially act upon any bits of food remaining in the mouth.

Use of dental floss will also help to prevent strings of meat and other food particles from clinging in crevices between your teeth. According to Dr. Robert F. Barkley, who recently gave an address at Michigan State University, the implication that brushing alone will do the job is “the hoax of American dentistry.” He believes that only a combination of flossing and then brushing results in effective oral hygiene.

Brushing the tongue with the toothbrush is also recommended by a number of authorities. The tongue can become badly coated with food particles buried in crypts and grooves. Gas-producing bacteria have a field day generating bad odors there. It was noted in a survey of 500 persons with bad breath that 90 percent of them had a badly coated tongue.

When it is temporarily impossible to brush one’s teeth, it may be possible to use certain “detergent foods,” particularly crunchy vegetables, crisp salads and raw fruits. Such foods scour away some food debris.

False teeth improperly cleaned are another cause of bad breath. But it can be prevented. Those who wear artificial teeth do well also to brush both their dentures and their tongues.

Mouth Rinsing

What, then, can be said for the popular mouthwashes? Many persons like to use a mouthwash to protect the atmosphere in their immediate vicinity. These preparations act as a temporary masking agent much as room deodorizers do. The old smell is still there, but, as far as a neighboring nose is concerned, it is “covered up” by the new smell.

If the cause of bad breath is food particles in the crevices of one’s teeth, the mouthwash can hardly be expected to wipe out all bacteria that decay food particles. New germs would be attracted in the next breath. So brushing your teeth and tongue and the use of dental floss are more important in many respects than use of a commercial mouthwash.

However, there is definite benefit in rinsing the mouth after brushing your teeth. One experienced dentist called such rinsing with a glass of water “a must.” Many dentists believe that ordinary water is the best mouthwash, and in the case of infectious conditions, hot salt water. The aforementioned work by Berland and Seyler states: “Swishing some water around in your mouth and between your teeth [helps]. In fact, the main benefit of any commercial mouthwash is as an aid in the removal of loose food and debris. Water alone can do that. The benefits of a good mouth rinse with plain or saltwater are very real.”

Mouth rinsing is specially important if, for some reason, you cannot brush your teeth after a meal or snack. In such cases it is wise to swish some water around and between your teeth.

Other Factors

Bleeding gums, gum diseases and pyorrhea contribute in no small way to bad breath. In fact, one experienced dentist believes that pyorrhea “is the most prevalent cause of halitosis.” A capable dentist can do much to arrest the disease and thus also help alleviate the problem of bad breath.

Many other factors have been implicated with bad breath. It is known that infections of the sinuses, throat and tonsils cause bad breath. Any who have bad breath apparently because of these problems may need professional help.

Certain foods, of course, have stronger odors than others. Sometimes odors from onions and garlic come partly from bits of the food left in the mouth. So if you enjoy eating these foods and others such as cabbage, cauliflower and the more pungent cheeses, you should be careful to make certain that after a meal no bits of food are left in the mouth. You might also try a counterattack with milk or parsley, foods that tend to be breath neutralizers.

As for vitamins, nutritionist Adelle Davis reports that volunteers lacking in vitamin B6 developed bad breath. It disappeared after the vitamin was given them. Also Today’s Health magazine reports that “lack of vitamins C or D at times will irritate the liver, intestines, or other organs and foul the breath.”

Deeper Causes

But what about the stomach as a cause for bad breath? Doctors used to think that objectionable odors came from the stomach, but this conclusion is not necessarily true. Recent studies indicate that odors are absorbed by the bloodstream from the intestines and then carried through the liver to the lungs, where they are exhaled. These odors can cling to the lungs for a day or so while the stomach is odor free.

If bad breath is caused by odor-producing putrefactive bacteria that live on undigested food, improving the digestion and destroying the putrefactive bacteria will help. One way is by using yogurt or acidophilus milk or culture.

It has been found that when there is a very strong, foul odor to the stool, bad breath often exists too. In such cases some have found help by taking for a time a gastrointestinal adsorbent or product that removes toxic material from the stomach and intestines.

Recent tests suggest that another cause of breath odor arises from some fault in the digestion or metabolism of fats. In these cases the reduction of fat in the diet to 40 to 60 grams a day results in the prompt disappearance of odors. It is no particular problem to substitute nonfat milk, margarines, and unsaturated cooking fats in place of whole milk, butter and cheese. In any case, no amount of fancy flavor in your mouthwash will adequately cope with bad breath spawned in your inner recesses.

Finally, remember that breath variations to some extent are normal in everyday life. The breath is affected by the time of day, the nearness of meals, the food that has been eaten and the general condition of individual health. In some cases bad breath may be a symptom of some disease requiring professional attention. But good oral hygiene and dietary discretion should go a long way toward helping you to cope with that personal problem.

Next Page »