Herbal medicine is defined as the use of leaves, flowers, barks, seeds, fruits and roots of plants for the prevention or treatment of ailments and the promotion of good health. Like China, the Philippines is another country known for using herbal medicines long before its popularity in the west. Although some medical practitioners in the West may dismiss the affectivity of herbal medicines, the Chinese, Filipinos and many peoples in the Orient have used medicinal herbs for centuries.

In recent years, medical researchers, pharmaceutical companies, organizations, and government health agencies took a serious look at folkloric herbal medicines often used by Filipinos in rural areas.

Research and studies by the academe, industries and government confirm the effectively of certain herbs in the treatment of diseases. Many of these herbs also proved to have health benefits in addition to their curative value. The Philippine Department of Health, after thorough evaluation, research and years of clinical trials have endorsed 10 herbal plants as alternative herbal medicines for various diseases ranging from asthma, hypertension to diabetes.

The 10 herbs endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) are:

1. Akapulko for fungal infections

2. Ampalaya for diabetes

3. Bawang for hypertension

4. Bayabas as antiseptic

5. Lagundi for asthma

6. Niyog-niyogan for intestinal infestation

7. Sambong as a diuretic

8. Tsaang Gubat for intestinal motility

9. Ulasimang Bato for gout

10. Yerba Buena as analgesic

Caution however is advised to those who wish to try herbal medicines. Although independent test and research has proven the affectivity of many of these herbs, more research still needs to be done and in some instances, standards of dosage have to be established. Many of the commercially available herbal medicines are listed as supplements and have not passed the stringent standards required by the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration. Some herbal medicines also react to prescription & nonprescription drugs. Always consult your doctor before taking any herbal medicine.