Traditional Filipino
Herbal Remedies
Ancient wisdom meets modern science. Explore time-tested Filipino herbal remedies and their contemporary applications.
Quick Reference Guide
DOH-Endorsed
- Lagundi - Cough & asthma
- Sambong - Kidney stones
- Yerba Buena - Pain relief
- Malunggay - Nutrition
- Ampalaya - Blood sugar
Traditional Practices
- Salabat - Ginger tea
- Tuob - Steam inhalation
- Hilot - Massage therapy
- Preventive wellness teas
- Complementary care
Long before modern medicine reached Philippine shores, Filipino ancestors used plants to heal illness and maintain health. This traditional knowledge, practiced by albularyos (traditional healers) and passed through families, represents centuries of empirical observation.
These practices are rooted in sustainable farming traditions that respected the land and its natural bounty.
In 1992, the Philippine Department of Health launched the Halamang Gamot Program, validating traditional remedies through scientific research. Today, 10 medicinal plants are officially endorsed as safe and effective. Many of these herbs can be easily incorporated into daily wellness teas.
The DOH-Endorsed
"10 Halamang Gamot"
Lagundi
Vitex negundo
Traditional Uses
Cough, asthma, fever, skin diseases
Active Compounds
Essential oils, flavonoids, terpenes
Modern Validation
Proven bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory. Now available in commercial syrups and tablets.
Preparation
Boil 6 leaves in 2 cups water for 10 minutes. Drink 3x daily for cough relief.
Sambong
Blumea balsamifera
Traditional Uses
Kidney stones, urinary problems, edema
Active Compounds
Essential oils (borneol), flavonoids
Modern Validation
Proven diuretic that helps dissolve kidney stones. Commercial preparations available.
Preparation
Boil 1 cup chopped leaves in 2 cups water. Drink 3x daily for urinary health.
Yerba Buena
Clinopodium douglasii
Traditional Uses
Headache, toothache, stomach pain, rheumatism
Active Compounds
Menthol, tannins, flavonoids
Modern Validation
Analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties confirmed.
Preparation
Boil 10 fresh leaves in 2 cups water. Drink for pain relief, or apply crushed leaves topically.
Tsaang Gubat
Ehretia microphylla
Traditional Uses
Diarrhea, stomach ache, intestinal problems
Active Compounds
Tannins, saponins, alkaloids
Modern Validation
Antimicrobial and anti-diarrheal effects proven in studies.
Preparation
Boil 1 tbsp dried leaves in 2 cups water for 15 minutes. Drink 3x daily for digestive issues.
Malunggay
Moringa oleifera
Traditional Uses
Lactation support, nutrition, anemia
Active Compounds
Vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, protein
Modern Validation
Exceptional nutritional profile validated. Galactagogue effects confirmed.
Preparation
Add fresh leaves to soups (tinola). Essential for nursing mothers.
Ampalaya
Momordica charantia
Traditional Uses
Diabetes, blood sugar management
Active Compounds
Charantin, polypeptide-p (plant insulin)
Modern Validation
Blood sugar-lowering effects scientifically proven. Widely studied for diabetes management.
Preparation
Juice fresh ampalaya or eat cooked in dishes. Monitor blood sugar if diabetic.
Beyond the Official 10
Salabat (Ginger Tea)
Perhaps the most beloved Filipino remedy, salabat combines ginger with honey and calamansi for cold and flu relief. Modern research confirms ginger's antimicrobial properties.
Tuob (Steam Inhalation)
Inhaling steam infused with ginger, oregano, or eucalyptus leaves helps clear respiratory congestion. This traditional practice is still widely used for colds and sinusitis.
Integrating Traditional Wisdom
Daily Wellness
- ✓Use herbs daily for preventive care
- ✓Choose organic herbs free from pesticides
- ✓Learn proper preparation methods
Safety First
- !Consult doctors about interactions
- !Seek advice if pregnant or breastfeeding
- !Use as complementary support
"Filipino traditional medicine represents centuries of empirical wisdom. Today, modern science validates what our ancestors knew all along."
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