Yerba buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

Yerba buena is a rambling aromatic herb of the mint family that is known and used as herbal medicine worldwide.

Yerba buena is also known for its medicinal properties. Yerba buena is used as herbal medicine for the treatment of many ailments which has been traditionally used since ancient times. Studies have shown that Yerba buena containspulegone, menthol, menthene, menthenone and limonene.

Uses

• Yerba Buena tea used as body pain reliever. Good for headache, stomach ache and tooth ache.• Yerba Buena poultice used for Rheumatism, arthritis and headache.• Yerba Buena tea for cough and colds.• Yerba Buena as mouthwash for swollen gums and tooth aches. • Yerba Buena tea for menstrual and gas pain. Drink infusion. It induces menstrual flow and sweating.• Yerba Buena minty scent for nausea and fainting• Yerba Buena leaves for Insect bites

How to use:

1. Crush the fresh leaves squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with eucalyptus. (for rheumatism)

2. Steep 6 grams of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use solution as gargle. (for swollen gums)

3. Crush leaves and apply at nostrils of patients. (for fainting)

4. Crush leaves and apply juice on affected part or pound leaves until paste-like. Then rub this on affected part. (for insect bites)

5. Yerba buena herbal tea Preparation

- Dry Yerba buena leaves for about two weeks- Crush Yerba buena leaves into pieces- Boil the dried Yerba buena leaves in water.- 2 tablespoon of dried Yerba buena leaves to one cup water.- Let it seep for 30 minutes. Strain the leaves.- Take the Yerba buena herbal tea for 4 to 6 times daily.

Tanglad (Cymbopogon citratus)

Tanglad is a native herb from temperate and warm regions and a member of a species of grass that grows to as high as 1 meter with leaves of 1 to 1.5 centimeters in width that grows from a stalk of about 30 to 80 cm long with bulbous lower end.

Uses• Tanglad as herbal medicine for gastrointestinal problems stomachaches, diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, the flu, and headaches. • Tanglad oil mixed with other essential oils such as coconut oil is used as a liniment for back pains, rheumatism, neuralgia, sprains and other body pains.• Tanglad oil mixed with other essential oils such as lavender or jasmine oil used in baths or vapor scents can revitalize the body and relieve the symptoms of jet lag, headaches, anxiety and stress related exhaustion.• To treat circulatory disorders, some authorities recommend rubbing a few drops of Tanglad oil on the skin of affected areas; it is believed to work by improving blood flow.• Tanglad has natural anti-microbial properties, is an antiseptic, suitable for use on various types of skin infections, usually as a wash or compress, and is especially effective on ringworm, infected sores. Acne and athlete's foot• Tanglad is effective in killing cancer cells.• It is useful with respiratory infections such as sore throats, laryngitis and fever and helps prevent spreading of infectious diseases.• Tanglad is also used as an insect repellant. It helps to keep pets clean of fleas, ticks and lice.

How to use:Tanglad Tea PreparationPound or cut about 10 leaves of Tanglad then add in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, strain, add sugar and a slice of ginger to taste. Let it cool and drink a cup three to four times a day. Make new Tanglad herbal tea as needed. When symptoms persist or irritation occurs stop the use and consult your doctor. Tanglad oil (food grade) can also be used to make tea by diluting 2 teaspoon of Tanglad oil to a cup of boiling water.

Tanglad Liniment PreparationBoil equal amounts of chopped leaves and roots with freshly made coconut oilYou can also mix 2 drops of Tanglad oil to an ounce of your usual oil used such as coconut oil, olive oil, etc.

Tanglad Baths and CompressChop about a cup of Tanglad leaves to a liter of water. Let it boil and strain. You can add it to your bath or you can use it as herbal compress for skin infections.Tanglad oil can also be added to a bath or warm water for hot compress. a tablespoon of oil for every 500ml for compress is suggested.

Pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida Linn)

Pansit-pansitan is a common fleshy shallow rooted herb that grows to about 15 to 45 cm in height in damp and lightly shaded areas. Pansit-pansitan has been used as food item as well as a medicinal herb for its analgesic, anti-arthritic, diuretic activity.

Pansit-pansitan has been traditionally used to treat fever, cough, common cold, headache and arthritis. In a study of aerial parts of peperomia extract in mice indicated that that it exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was attributed to interference with prostaglandin synthesis.

Uses Eye inflammation Sore throat Diarrhea Prostate problems High blood pressure Arthritis Gout Skin boils Wounds Burns Skin inflammation Abscesses Pimples Headache Fever Abdominal pains Renal problems Mental excitement disorder

How to use:

1. Pepperomia Pellucida or pansit-pansitan grows wild in nooks and corners in damp lightly shaded areas. The whole plant can be harvested fresh, eaten raw as in salad ingredient or cooked with other vegetables and meat. The entire plant is edible either cooked or raw.

2. Pansit-pansitan juice can be prepared by collecting stems and leaves mixed with boiled water or formed into poultice to be applied topically over skin wounds and inflammation.

Balbas pusa or Cat Whisker(Orthosiphon aristatus)

Balbas pusa also popularly known as Java tea is widely used as folkloric herbal medicine for centuries . Orthosiphon aristatus (balbas pusa) is an erect, slender shrub that can grow 1-2 meters in height. The leaves are semi-deciduous, light to dark green in color and are borne in distant pairs that is about 5-10 cm long.. The stalk is reddish-brown, that is slightly puberulent. The flowers forms a pagoda like shaped with 5-6 cm long stamens that resembles a cat’s whiskers, hence the name 'balbas pusa' in tagalog and 'cat's whisker' in english. The color of the flowers varies from white to purplish.

Uses

Balbas pusa is used as a treatment for the following ailments:• Renal inflammation, kidney stones and dysuria.• Liver and bladder problems including bladder stones,• Urinary tract infection• Diabetes• Rheumatism and gout.• Reduction of cholesterol and blood pressure.• Anti allergic, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory• Diuretic or stimulates urine production

How to use:

1. Balbas pusa or java tea is prepared as follows: - wash fresh or dried balbas pusa or cat's whisker leaves- chop then add in 4 cups of water for every 1 cup- let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes- Let it steep then strain.- Drink half cup of balbas pusa tea also known as java tea three times a

day. 2. Balbas pusa tea concoction can be stored in suitable glass container for

later consumption.

Saluyot (Corchorus olitorius) 

Saluyot is an edible leafy vegetable that is a member of the  genus Corchorus, classified under the subfamily Grewioideae of the family Malvaceae.Saluyot leaves are very nutritious, it is rich in calcium, iron, protein, vitamin A, C and E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and dietary fibers.  

Uses• Saluyot being rich in vitamins and minerals generally promotes good health and well-being.• Saluyot being rich in vitamin A can provide health benefits for good eyesight.Saluyot contains vitamin E and other antioxidants. It is said to prevent wrinkles and promote youthful looking skin.• Saluyot is used to treat inflammation and pain such as arthritis , headache, stomach ache and others.• Saluyot being rich in fiber helps to control blood pressure, cholesterol build-up, diabetes and prevents heart disease. • Saluyot leaves are rich in fiber and its slimy consistency when cooked is used to treat various digestive problems such as diarrhea, stomach ache, dysentery, constipation and ulcers. • It is also claimed that together with other herbs that can cure cancer.

How to use:

1. Saluyot being an annual plant can be grown in your backyard or can be bought in your local wet market by the  bunch.

2. Saluyot leaves may be dried and stored for later use.

3. Saluyot leaves are dried and boiled to make a medicinal tea.

4. Saluyot leaves being a vegetable can be thrown in as an ingredient in making stews or soups  and other viands.  The Ilocanos are known to prepare delicious dishes with saluyot, the most popular are dinengdeng and bulang-bulang. Some Ilocanos even attributes their youthful looks and longevity in saluyot rich diet.

5. Saluyot is usually cooked as stew, forming thick slimy syrup similar in consistency to okra usually taken with rice or other starchy staple.

Medicinal Plants