Philippine Healers - Herbal Plants for Healing

A LAS CUATRO (Mirabilis longiflora Blanco)

A las cuatro is found throughout the Philippines in the settled areas in cultivation and also frequently spontaneous in the vicinity of towns. It was introduced from Mexico by the Spaniards at an early date, and is now pantropic in distribution.

The pounded seeds are used in Malaya and elsewhere by Chinese and Japanese women for making a cosmetic powder.  The roots have been reported as mildly purgative and as emetic-cathartic in Mexico. The fresh juice of the leaves is very soothing and is applied to the body to allay the heat and itching in urticaria arising from dyspepsia. The bruised leaves are used in India and Java for poulticing boils and abscesses, and the juice is used for uterine discharges. The juice of the leaves is prescribed internally in a mixture for gonorrhoea.  Its infusion is prescribed as a diuretic and for dropsy.

BALETE 

The bark of the Balete root, the root itself, as well as the leaves boiled in oil are applied on wounds and bruises.  The juice of the bark is also known to cure liver diseases.  The pounded leaves and bark are applied as a poultice in rheumatic headache.

BANABA (Munchausia Speciosa)

Banaba is a popular medicinal plant in the Philippines.  Decoction of Banaba leaves is used for diabetes mellitus and for all ages, it is considered safe.  It is taken like normal tea.  Dried fruit of Banaba is now being used as well. It is also used to relieve abdominal pains, to stop diarrhea.  The roots can be used to help to treat small ulcers in the mouth area.  The leaf decoction is also diuretic.  The bark, leaves and flowers are given as a purgative.  Seeds have narcotic characteristics and is used against aphthae.

CAIMITO (Crysophyllum Cainito)

The decoction of bark is given for dysentery.  Infusion of bark is is said to be tonic and refreshing.  Also considered anthelmintic.  The fruit is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The seed has a bitter taste and used as a tonic for diarrhea and for intermittent fevers. 

DAMONG MARIA (Artemisia Vulgaris)

The juice of the leaves is used as a vulnerary.  Decoction of leaves and flowering tops can be used as expectorant. Infusion of leaves also can induce menstruation.  Pregnant women should not use this as it has abortifacient properties although it is too mild a uterine stimulant to be realiable for that purpose.  Used also for skin diseases and foul ulcers.  Juice of the plant is applied to the head  to prevent convulsions especially among young children.

EUCALYPTUS

It grows in Baguio vigorously but is cultivated in Manila as well as other large towns.  Eucalyptus is a native of Australia.  Locally applied, it possesses antiseptic and anaesthetic properties.  Eucalyptus oil is widely used in the field of medicine.

GUMAMELA (Hibiscus Rosasinensis)

The juice of the Gumamela flower is used to serve as a shoe-blackening agent.  Hindus and Chinese use petal juice   to blacken eyebrows.  Also used as a food coloring ingredient.  Flower buds can be beaten into a paste and is applied to boils, swellings that are cancerous in origin, as well as mumps.  Root decoction is used as an internal medicine.  Decoction is taken for venereal diseases and fevers. Infusion or a poultice of the leaves also used for headache. Root decoction is good for sore eyes.