10 PLANTS EVERY PINOY GARDEN SHOULD HAVE

(CONCLUSION)
by: Woman Today

Gardening and health go well together.

Last issue, we featured four of the 10 medicinal plants that the Department of Health deems should be a part of any Filipino
garden. Here's the continuation of the said list.

SAMBONG (Blumea Camphor)

For kidney stones, edema (manas) and hypertension
To prepare the decoction: Wash the leaves and chop into pieces. Measure 2 glasses of water and 1 glass of chopped leaves.
Boil under low fire for 15 minutes without cover. Allow to cool and strain. The decoction is ready for drinking. Take 1/3 glass
thrice a day.

YERBA BUENA (Mentha cordiflia Opiz)

For body pain
To prepare the decoction: Wash the leaves and chop into pieces. Measure 2 glasses of water and 1 glass of chopped leaves.
Boil under low fire for 15 minutes without cover. Allow to cool and strain. The decoction is ready for drinking. Take 1/3 glass
thrice a day.

AKAPULKO (Cassia alata)

For fungus e.g ringworm (buni), tinea flava (an-an) and scabies (galis aso)
To prepare: Pound the leaves and extract the juice. Place juice on affected areas once or twice a day. It can also be taken as a
decoction. Boil 1 glass of chopped leaves into 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Use the decoction to wash the affected areas
once or twice a day.

AMPALAYA (Momordica charantia)

For diabetes mellitus
The leaves and fruits of the ampalaya can be eaten either steamed or cooked, or as part of other dishes. A decoction can also
be made: Wash the leaves and chop into pieces. Measure 2 glasses of water and 1 glass of chopped leaves. Boil under low fire
for 15 minutes without cover. Allow to cool and strain. The decoction is ready for drinking. Drink a glass 30 minutes before a
meal.

NIYUG-NIYUGAN (Quisqualis indica)

For intestinal worms
Only the seeds are used and they should be mature seeds which are then diced and cracked to remove the flesh/nut. Adults
should take 8 to 10 seeds; from 7 to 12 years old, about 6 to 7 seeds; from 6 to 8 years old, about 5 to 6 seeds; from 4 to 5 years
old, about 4 to 5 seeds. Seeds should be consumed 2 hours after a meal. Seed ingestion should be repeated when initial dose
has no effect.

ULASIMANG BATO OR PANSIT-PANSITAN (Peperomia pellucida)

For high uric acid level

The pansit-pansitan can be eaten as a salad or a decoction can be made. To prepare the salad: Wash 1-½ glasses
of mature leaves. Season with salt and pepper. To prepare the decoction: Wash the leaves and chop into pieces.
Boil 2 glasses of the leaves in 4 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. Drink 1/3 glass after every meal or
thrice a day