SORO-SORO LEAVES

(Karimbuaya)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Asthma

Cough

Earache

Rheumatism

External hemorrhoids

Sores, Cysts, Warts, and Calluses

PROPERTIES

antiseptic

antiasthma

antiarthritic

anti-inflammatory

Soro-soro (scientific name: Euphorbia neriifolia linn) is a plant that grows abundantly in northern Luzon, particularly in Ilocos Sur. The cactus-like plant has fleshy, oblong-shaped leaves and grows almost into a big tree with stubby thorns.

Karimbuaya or Soro-soro is best ingredients of lechon baboy and manok  

To Norther Luzon, no lechon is complete without karimbuaya. When combined with herbs and spices, karimbuaya lends the lechon a distinct taste and aroma. The milky sap of the plant has medicinal properties and helps remove the unpleasant odor of meat and fish.

KANGKONG

(Water Spinach)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Prevention of Cancer

Reduces Cholesterol

Treatment of Jaundice and Liver Problems

Lower blood sugar level

Useful in treating Anemia

Treatment of fever

Treatment of Indigestion and Constipation

Protection against Heart Diseases

Beneficial for Eyes

Boosts the Body’s Immunity

treat intestinal worm infestation

Promote relaxation and sleep

Rejuvenates Skin

Treatment of skin Diseases

PROPERTIES

Anti-oxidant

Anti-aging

Anti Diabetic

Kangkong is a leafy vegetable usually found in Asian Cuisines that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Kangkong is also used in herbal medicine for the treatment of fever, liver disease, and most importantly diabetes in pregnant women. 

Kangkong, Kangkung (Ipomoea aquatica) is a semiaquatic, tropical plant that flourishes naturally in water and moist soil. Kangkong is an edible plant harvested as a leaf vegetable. Kangkong thrives in tropical and subtropical regions and is more commonly found in Southeast Asian countries.

Kangkong can grow rapidly spreading through waterways forming floating mats that can block water flow and passage of small water crafts. 

Kangkong is a herbaceous trailing shiny vine with milky sap. The stems are hollow, rooting at nodes, usually found trailing in moist soil or floating in aquatic locations. Kangkong leaves are alternate, simple, in the shape of arrow heads about 3–14 cm (1–6 in) long. The hollow vines float on water and the leaves are held above the water line.

Kangkong bears trumpet like flowers whose petals are white or pink-lilac with mauve color at the center. Kangkong has oval or spherical seed pods that contains 1 to 4 gray seeds which may be used for planting.

Kangkong is considered safe even for pregnant women and breast feeding mothers. Kangkong is actually used to treat diabetes during pregnancy. Kangkong might have a side effect of lowering the blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are taking diabetes medicine.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) of  Water spinach, raw

                Energy.........................79 kJ (19 kcal)

                Carbohydrates.         3.14g

                Dietary fiber.             2.1g

                Fat.                               0.2g

                Protein.                       2.6g

            Vitamins..........................

                Vitamin A equiv.       315 μg (39%)

                Thiamine (B1)           0.03 mg (3%)

                Riboflavin (B2)          0.1 mg (8%)

                Niacin (B3)                 0.9 mg (6%)

                Pantothenic acid(B5) 0.141 mg (3%)

                Vitamin B6.                0.096 mg (7%)

                Folate (B9)                  57 μg (14%)

                Vitamin C.                  55 mg (66%)

            Minerals............................

                Calcium.                     77 mg (8%)

                Iron.                            1.67 mg (13%)

                Magnesium.              71 mg (20%)

                Manganese.               0.16 mg (8%)

                Phosphorus.              39 mg (6%)

                Potassium.                 312 mg (7%)

                Sodium.                      113 mg (8%)

                Zinc............................  0.18 mg (2%)

OTHER BENEFITS

          In addition to the benefits given above, water spinach is effective in treating ulcers, menstrual pains, toothache, launched urination, nosebleed etc. It acts as a sedative for people who have insomnia or sleeping difficulty. The juice of spinach mixed with water is used as a cold compress to treat fever. Being anti-venom, it is used to promote vomiting in case of poisoning.

NEEM TREE

(Azadirachta indica)

HEALTH BENEFITS

bruises and sprains
arthritis
malaria
jaundice
intestinal parasitism
hemorrhoids
wounds
diabetis
leprosy
scabies
treatment of head lice
ulcers
eye problems
pain and fever
urinary disorder
cough
asthma


PROPERTIES

antibacterial
hypoglycemic
antiulcer
antifertility
spermicidal
anti-malarial
antitumor
immunomodulatory
hepatoprotective
antioxidant
antifungal
anti-inflammatory
spermicidal
antifungal
insecticidal.




Neem is a medium-sized tree growing to 15 meters high, with wide spreading branches forming an oval crown. Leaves are pinnately compound. The drooping leaflets are 1 centimeter long, paired, lanceolate, acuminate with serrated margins. The blade is shiny dark green on the upper surface and pale green on the underside. Flowers are numerous, small, white and fragrant.

Edibility
- Leaves and flowers are edible.
- Leaves used for making tea.
Folkloric
- Poultice of leaves for swollen glands, bruises and sprains.
- Decoction of leaves used for arthritis.
- Fresh leaf-tea used for malaria.
- Bark used for malaria.
- Tree and root barks have been used for malaria, jaundice, and for intestinal parasitism.
- Edible pulp of the fruit used for hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, wounds, diabetes, and leprosy.
- Flower used for controlling phlegm and treatment of intestinal worms.
- Used for scabies and many other skin diseases.
- Applied directly for treatment of head lice, wounds, skin ulcers.
- When soaked in water, used for bathing and as postcoital contraceptive.
- Spermicide made from plant sold in India.
Ayurvedic medicine
• Leaf- leprosy, intestinal parasites, eye problems, skin ulcers
• Bark - pain and fever.
• Flower - bile suppression, intestinal worms and phlegm.
• Fruit - piles, intestinal worms, urinary disorder, nose bleeding , phlegm, eye problem, diabetes, wounds and leprosy.
• Twig - cough, asthma, piles, intestinal worms, spermatorrhoea, urinary disorders, diabetes.
• Gum - ringworm, scabies, wounds and ulcers.
• Seed pulp and oil- leprosy and intestinal worms.
• Neem oil may be useful for gingivitis.
• Oil used intravaginally for spermicidal and contraceptive properties.

Toxicity Studies
• Acute Toxicity Study of Neem Oil: Study of neem oil by oral route in rats and rabbits showed dose-related pharmacotoxic symptoms along with biochemical and histopathological indices of toxicity, with the changes in the lungs and CNS as target organs of toxicity.

WATERLEAF PLANT

(Talinum Paniculatum)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Cough

diarrhea

liver problem

kidney problem

gastrointestinal disorders

skin inflammation, minor scratches, cuts, and scrapes

arthritis

stomach inflammation

pneumonia

Lower blood sugar level

PROPERTIES

Antinociceptive

Anti-edematogenic

Phytoremediative

Anti-fertility

Estrogenic

Tocolytic

Anti-aging

Antioxidative

Antiscorbutic

Anti-inflammatory

Waterleaf is a fleshy, erect herb, growing up to 100 to 120 centimeters tall. Roots are swollen and fleshy. Stems are succulent, slightly woody at the base. Leaves are in whorls, obovate-lanceolate, flat, glossy and bright green. Flowers are in terminal panicles, small and pink colored. Fruit is a globose, glossy, dark red capsule, 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter, many-seeded.

- Young leaves and stems are used as vegetable.

- Leaves used as salad ingredient.

- Shoots and leaves added to stews and soup.

- In some parts of Asia, used as a spice.

- In Asian traditional medicine, use extensively as a reproductive tonic.

- Roots used as substitute for ginseng.

- Used to regulate menses; also, for cough, general debility, diarrhea.

- In China, it is cultivated as a medicinal herb. In traditional Chinese medicine, the herb is used as a substitute for Ginseng.

- In Indonesia, used for liver and kidney problems.

- In Brazil, plant used to treat inflammatory conditions.

- Used to treat bad smelling urine, enuresis, irregular menses, gastrointestinal disorders, general debility. Leaves used topically in the treatment of edemas, skin inflammation, minor scratches, cuts, and scrapes. Decoction of roots used to treat scurvy, arthritis, stomach inflammation, and pneumonia.

- Popular in Thai herbal recipes for enhancing vitality, treating diabetes, inflammatory skin problems, GI troubles, and general weakness. Used to induce lactation and restore uterine functions postpartum.

- Swollen root used as aphrodisiac.

PURSLANE

(Portulaca Oleracea)
(Papait)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Control blood sugar level

Prevent headaches

Good for the heart

Lower blood pressure level

Boost immune system

Strengthen bone

PROPERTIES

Anti-oxidant

Antifungal

Antimicrobial

Anti-inflammatory

Antidiabetic

Anthelmintic

Antiseptic

Purslane is a slender, spreading or ascending, smooth, branched, annual herb, with branches as long as 10 to 40 centimeters. Leaves are opposite or whorled, spatulate, oblanceolate to oblong-obovate, 1 to 3 centimeters long, and up to 1 centimeter wide. Flowers are white and fascicled, with slender stalks up to 1 centimeter long. Sepals are 3 to 3.5 millimeters long. Capsule is ellipsoid, a little shorted than the sepals. Seeds are numerous and covered with raised tubular points.

Purslane has a long history of use in traditional/alternative medicine.

It is also high in many nutrients. A 100 gram (3.5 oz) portion contains

Vitamin A (beta-carotene): 26% of the DV.
Vitamin C: 35% of the DV.
Magnesium: 17% of the DV.
Manganese: 15% of the DV.
Potassium: 14% of the DV.
Iron: 11% of the DV.
Calcium: 7% of the RDI.
It also contains small amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, folate, copper and phosphorus.

Purslane is a a weed that grows in many parts of the world. It is also a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked.

Purslane is much higher in omega-3 fatty acids than other greens. It contains high amounts of ALA, but also trace amounts of EPA, a more biologically active form of omega-3.

Purslane is very high in antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds, which may have various health benefits.

Several important minerals are found in purslane, including potassium, magnesium and calcium.

Purslane contains oxalates, which can reduce the absorption of some minerals and contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

ALUGBATI LEAVES

(Malabar spinach)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Control blood pressure
Prevent constipation
Relieve Ulcer
Prevent cancer
Prevent anemia
Lose weight
Release toxins out of the body
Improve eyesight
Boost immunity
Soften skin
Reduce swelling
Good for pregnancy
Help you sleep


PROPERTIES

Anti-aging
Anti-oxidants


Alugbati is a leafy green vegetable, usually grown as a garden plant. Also, it is familiar as Malabar Spinach and it is very favored in the Philippines. This vegetable has a bright red stem with heart-shaped leaves growing along. Its fruit can range from red to dark green color.

As well as the other green leaves vegetables, the Alugbati leaves are rich in iron and have a lot of nutrition. According to the nutrition data, only 100 grams of Alugbati leaves has the following calories, minerals, vitamins, protein, and water.

When consuming the Alugbati Leaves, it is highly recommended to select the shiny, fresh leaves and firm stems. That means to avoid the discoloured, sunken and dry leaves. Prior to cooking, the Alugbati leaves should be thoroughly washed in cold running water. The best way to consume this vegetable is to include it into soup, stew or to stir-fry.

KAMOTE LEAVES

(Sweet potato leaves)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Kamote tops can treat and prevent numerous diseases such as:

Helps in Heart Health
Enhances Eye Health
Helps in Bone Health
Normalize blood sugar level
 diabetes, cancer, kidney stones, liver diseases, hypertension, boils, acne, pimples, bowel movement problems, dengue fever, and kills bacteria causing diseases.

PROPERTIES

Anti-diabetic
Anti-mutagenic
Antioxidant
Anticoagulant
Anti-bacterial


Eating sweet potato leaves contains numerous nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which has surprising and amazing health benefits to the body.

Sweet potato is a plant belong to the morning-glory family of Convolvulaceae. This plant bears a large, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots vegetable, which was mostly used for culinary purposes similar to a regular potato.

This plant can be usually found in tropical climate countries including the Philippines. Its crops were commonly used in making desserts, pastries, and different types of dishes in global cuisines, because of its sweet and delicious flavor.

It is also a herbaceous perennial vine with an alternate heart-shaped leaves, which has been traditionally used by ancient people for medicinal purposes. Its leaves can be both used for cooking purposes and as herbal medicine.

Sweet potato leaves are also known as camote tops, which have been mostly consumed in the island in the Pacific Oceans including Asian and African countries. It is very effective in treating and preventing several types of diseases. It can be also used as the natural alternative to high-cost treatments and medications.

Its leaves contain nutrients such as dietary fiber, niacin, thiamine, beta-carotene, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. It also contains minerals such as sodium, potassium, aluminum, boron, copper, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and sulfur.

It has also the ability to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol levels, prevent infections, and boosts the immune system. It also contains a lot of antioxidants that can help the body to fight free radicals, which can cause several types of diseases.

HIMBABAO LEAVES

(Broussonetia luzonica)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Normalize blood cholesterol level
Prevent coronary heart desease
Prevent stroke
Normalize blood sugar level


PROPERTIES

Antimicrobial
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Cytotoxic
Anti-cancer
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-oxidant
Anti-tumor
Antidiabetic


Himbabao is a medium-sized shed tree growing to a height of 15 meters with a trunk diameter of 30 centimeters. Bark is smooth. Leaves are alternate with a pointed apex and rounded base. Lower leaf surface is hairy. Flowers are very small, borne on long, slender, spike-like flowering branches. Inflorescences are pistillate and staminate borne on separate plants.

Himbabao is common in the Quezon area. Local describe two species by flowering and fruiting characteristics: Himbabao, with its long slender, spike-like flowers) and Himbabaong-lalaki, with its gray, puckered and wrinkled fruit. There is disagreement on whether it is a flower or fruit. There is also differing opinions on blogs: some referring to the fruit-bearing tree as male alukon and the spike flowering variety to alukon, and vice-versa. Or, perhaps, they are separate species.

Flower spikes are edible; used in meat and vegetable dishes like pinakbet and bulanglang. When cooked, the flower becomes gooey and slimy like okra.


In rural Quezon, excessive use of the flower or fruit is believed to cause elevation in blood pressure and aggravation of arthritis.

GABI LEAVES

(Taro Leaves)

BENEFITS

Reduces your cholesterol level
Aids in weight loss
Helps control blood pressure
Helps the development of the fetal brain and nervous system.
Helps prevent anaemia.
Helps reduce wrinkly skin.
Helps Increase sperm production.


PROPERTIES

Anti-Oxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-cancer
hypolipidemic
Anti-diabetic
Antimicrobial
Antihelmintic
Antibacterial
Anti-Compulsive


Taro is kind of tropical countries’ plant which all of the parts are edible. The plant is originally from some south-east Asian countries. It becomes phenomenal because there are huge contents of nutrition in the leaves that humans need, so there are many health benefits of taro leaves. Besides, Taro is popular as one of the earliest plants which are cultivated and provide the main food for many people in numerous countries like African countries and of course Southern India. The name is also various like dasheen, dalo, cocoyam, elephant’s ear, kalo, kacchalo, etc.

The green leaves of taro have been widely used in a lot of Indian dishes. The taste is as similar as spinach but the leave can potentially be toxic due to raw consumption. The leaves provide calcium oxalate source which can trigger swelling and itchiness to the throat. Therefore, the leaves must be soaked all night and they must be cooked to avoid the toxicity.

Uses
Culinary / Nutrition
- Prized for its large corms or underground stems, used as staple food in many localities.
- Fresh edible leaves and petioles are a rich source of protein, ascorbic acid, dietary fiber, and some important minerals.
- The corms, petioles and leaf blades are good sources of vitamin B.
- To the early Hawaiians, grown mainly for poi production.
- Its easy digestibility makes it a great nutritional supplement for weight gain needs in cancer-cachexia, AIDS, pancreatitis and a miscellany of weight-loss conditions.
Folkloric
- Used for asthma, arthritis, diarrhea, internal hemorrhage, skin disorders.
- Juice of petioles sometimes used for earache and otorrhea.
- Juice of the corm used in alopecia.
- Leaf juice also used for internal hemorrhages, otalgia, adenitis.
- Internally, a good laxative. Also, used for piles.
- Also, used as antidote for wasp and insect stings. Leaf juice applied to scorpion stings and snake bites.
- Heated tubers are applied locally to painful rheumatic joints.
- Ash of the tubers, mixed with honey, is used for buccal aphthous stomatitis.
- Raw juice of gabi, mixed with sugar, used as febrifuge.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Do not consume taro leaves as a raw vegetable or in their raw state.  They should be soaked first in clean water and then cooked for at least 10 - 15 minutes.

After that you have to cook them well to remove any toxic substances.

ATIS LEAVES

HEALTH BENEFITS

Kills hair lice
Lower blood sugar level
Scabies
Rheumatism
Wounds
Diarrhea
Dysentery
Liver aid
Stomachache


PROPERTIES

Anti-diabetic
anti-inflammatory



STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE ATIS LEAVES TEA


Step 1: Take 10 pieces of atis leaves and wash them thorougly with clean water

Step 2: Put the atis leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water

Step 3: Boil the atis leaves for 10-15 minutes

Step 4: After boiling the atis leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.




Atis leaves comes from the plant which produce atis fruit. The fruit also well known as custard apples. It is sweet, creamy flesh and have oval round shape. The leaves believe can cure diabetic due to it benefit for the blood sugar level in human body. Therefore, consuming atis leave extract will benefit to reduce diabetic symptoms.
Atis plant is native to America and West Indies. But the plant is common is Asia region too, including in Philippines. The plant can reach up to 6 meters and has irregularly branches. To cultivate the tree also not difficult. It will grow well in a fertile soil with enough water. Hence, many people in tropical countries grow the plant in the backyard.

The leaves has anti-inflammatory properties and a soothing effect. Therefore, it helps to heal wounds caused by diabetic condition. It will soothe the ache inflammation which normally spread out in the diabetic patient. Furthermore, it will lead to fast recovery of diabetic wound. This is the same as health benefits of arnica as an anti inflammatory to the swollen inflammation.

Potassium and magnesium present in high quantities in these leaves. It is known to relax the muscles of the heart. Therefore, another health benefits of atis leaves for diabetes including to help in preventing the risk of strokes and heart disease. Which normally happen as complicated diseases due to diabetic condition.

Side Effects of Atis Leaves:
Even though there is some health benefits of atis leaves for diabetes, the leave also has some side effects. Below is some caution when decide to consume atis leave extract:

Atis leave may produce allergically reactions such as itchiness or redness. Therefore, sensitive persons with allergically history shall be carefully when consuming the extract.
Diabetic patient who frequently consume the extract shall be carefully not to drop the blood glucose level. Otherwise, it will cause nausea and dizziness due to the dropped blood glucose level.
Pregnant woman shall avoid this extract tea since it can lead to miscarriage. It is better to consume virgin coconut oil due to the health benefits of coconut oil during pregnancy.
Diabetic patient who consume the extract in the middle of the medical treatment shall consult with the medical practitioner first. Since the interact reaction of the extract can interfere the medicine result.
The main important content is vitamins and minerals inside the atis leave. Which can be beneficial for the diabetic. This is the different way with the fruits, which might be harmful for diabetic patient due to the high sugar content.

RAMBUTAN LEAVES

HEALTH BENEFITS

Fever
Helps digestive system
Kidney stone
Scabies
Diabetes
Lower cholesterol level
Good for the skin
Help maintaining good health of your scalp
Strengthening hair roots
Preventing or helping with hair loss
Solving problem and delay the production of white hair
A good natural pain killer
Helping with digestion problem.


PROPERTIES

Anti-oxidant
anti-microbial


HOW TO MAKE RAMBUTAN LEAVES PASTE FOR HAIR CARE:

Mash some rambutan leaves with your traditional mortar and pestle or if you don’t have one you can use any kind of tools like grinder make it into a pulp.
Add a little water (make sure it is not too much, just enough to moisten the mixture)
Filter it to get the extract.
You can now apply it to your scalp and hair. Use it regularly until the desired result is achieved.


HOW TOMAKE RAMBUTAN LEAVES TO TREAT YOUR FEVER:

Pick some rambutan leaves and left them to dry.
Take 15 grams of the dried leaves
Add three glasses of water to the dried leaves.
Boil the mixture.
Let it cool and strain it with filter.
Consume the brew three times a day to relieve the fever.


Health benefits of rambutan may be already familar, but how about benefits of rambutan leaves ? Being nominated as one of the world most “Exotic Fruit” Rambutan has proven to be more than what it was tagged with. Scientifically named as “Nephelium Lappaceumis” Rambutan come in a bundle in one stem. Physically, it looks a lot like its sibling lychee. Not to be mistaken though, rambutan has a striking physical difference, which is its hair. Yes, I prefer to call it hair instead of spikes since, these spikes are harmless and will not hurt your finger if you touch it. Lychee on the other hand did not have this hairy feature on its skin. Rambutan naturally grown in Southeast Asia and is popular among the locals as favorite ingredients or topping for a lot of types of dessert. Although the fruits gain the most recognition for being the popular sweets, it has not escaped from folks observation that the leaves are commonly used as a medicinal herbs and ointments.

Rambutan leaves are of an oval shape and ranged from dark green to yellowish green in color. The leaves come in a bundle of leaflets. The size of the leaflet varied from 5 to 15 centimeters in length and 3 to 10 centimeters in width.

The first and foremost thing that will come up to your mind, especially if you are familiar with the benefits of rambutan leaves is its properties in helping hair problem situation. But it surprisingly offers much more benefits than just that.

Read the procedures above on how to use rambutan leaves as a herbal medicine to cure your health conditions.

IPIL-IPIL LEAVES

HEALTH BENEFITS

Diabetes
Dewormer
Prevent insomnia
Cancer
Pain releiver
Eczema
Dandruff
Reduces mentrual pain
Pregnancy control
Improving blood circulation
Produce smooth skin
Removing acne and its scars


PROPERTIES

Chemopreventive
anti-proliferative
antihelmintic
antidiabetic
antibacterial
antidiabetic
anti-oxidant


STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE IPIL IPIL LEAVES TEA

Step 1: Take 20 pieces of ipil ipil leaves and wash them thorougly with clean water

Step 2: Put the ipil ipil leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water

Step 3: Boil the ipil ipil leaves for 10-15 minutes

Step 4: After boiling the ipil ipil leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.


The Ipil-ipil tree is very abundant in tropical countries such as Thailand and the Philippines. Due it its abundance and resilient nature, Ipil-ipil tree has been described as “conflict tree”. On a brighter note, this tree is proven to cure various digestive illnesses.
Leucaena leucocephala or Ipil-ipil tree is considered as “Miracle Tree” because of its health benefits including its proven and effective way of deworming patients suffering from roundworms, flukes and tapeworms infesting inside their body.

Ipil-ipil is a small tree growing up 8 meters high. Leaves are compound, 15 to 25 centimeters long, with hairy rachis. Pinnae are 8 to 16, and 5 to 8 centimeters long. Leaflets are 20 to 30, linear oblong, and 7 to 12 millimeters long. Heads are solitary, at the axils of the leaves, long-peduncled, globose, and 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter, with many flowers. Flowers are whitish, in dense globule heads, 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter. Fruit is an oblong or linear pod, strap-shaped, 12 to 18 centimeters long, 1.4 to 2 centimeters wide, papery, green turning to brown and splitting open along two edges when mature, and several fruits developing from each flower head. Each pod contains 15 to 25 elliptic, compressed, shining, brown seeds, each 5 to 8 millimeters long, 3 to 5 millimeters wide.

Side effect of ipil ipil leaves
There is not any side effect caused by consuming ipil ipil leaves. However, we may not know if it reacts differently in every kinds of human’s body. In addition, for people who suffers allergy from peanuts better avoid consuming ipil ipil. If you are having any medication treatment better always discuss with your doctor if you consider to consume ipil ipil for we might not guarantee whether it will react badly to your medication or not.

That’s all about the healthy benefit of ipil ipil leaves toward our body. Besides all of the health benefits of ipil ipil leaves above, there are still many benefits that it provided. To know the real benefits of this plant, I suggest you to try it by yourself and encourage the other to try consuming it if you get the positive impact from it. Keep reading and stay healthy!

BALBAS PUSA

HEALTH BENEFITS

Kidney stone
Liver and Bladder problem
Urinary tract infection
Renal inflammation
Dysuria
Toothache
Body pain
Fever
Lower blood presure level
Lower cholesterol level
Rheumatism and gout
Diabetes
Asthma
Cough


PROPERTIES

Anti-allergic
Anti-hypertensive
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-oxidant


STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE BALBAS PUSA LEAVES TEA

Step 1: Take 15-20 pieces of balbas pusa leaves and wash them thorougly with clean water

Step 2: Put the balbas pusa leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water

Step 3: Boil the balbas pusa leaves for 10-15 minutes

Step 4: After boiling the balbas pusa leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.

Note: Drink balbas pusa tea 3 glasses in a day.


Cat's whisker or Balbas pusa (Orthosiphon aristatus) is a tropical herbaceous perennial plant that is native in Southeast Asia usually found in China, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand and even in Australia. Balbas pusa, commonly referred to as Java tea is a herb used as medicine for many 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.

Warnings and Side Effects
Java tea or balbas pusa tea has no known and reported contra indications and side effects with other drugs. While it is generally safe to take java tea or balbas pusa tea, prolonged intake is discourage as this may cause low sodium serum in the body.

Pregnancy and Breast feeding. There are no sufficient studies made to determine the side effects of java tea (balbas pusa tea) taken in medicinal amounts to infants and babies. Stay on the safe side, avoid taking balbas pusa in herbal medicine dosages when pregnant and while breast feeding

Allergies. In rare cases, the herb has caused allergic side effects.

Fluid retention. Don’t use java tea as “irrigation therapy” when fluid retention or edema is due to kidney or heart related problems.

DAMONG MARIA

(Mugwort)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Fever
Dewormer
Eczema
Scabies
Dysmenorrhea
Amenorrhea/menstrual pain
Diabetes
Reduce stress and anxiety
Weight lose
Detoxify the body
Osteoporosis
Liver aid
Stomachache
Cancer
Constipation


PROPERTIES

Antimicrobial
anti-oxidant
anticonvulsant
hepatoprotective


STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE MANGO LEAVES TEA

Step 1: Take 10-15 pieces of damong maria leaves and wash them thorougly with clean water

Step 2: Put the damong maria leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water

Step 3: Boil the damong maria leaves for 10-15 minutes

Step 4: After boiling the damong maria leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.



Damong-maria is an erect perennial herb, hairy, aromatic, rank smelling, often half-woody, growing to a height of 1 meter or less. Stems are leafy and branched. Leaves are pinnately lobed, 5 to 14 centimeters long, hairy, gray beneath, with nearly smooth above. Flowering heads are numerous, ovoid, 3 to 4 millimeters long, occurring in large numbers in spikelike, ascending, and branched inflorescences.

This herb is usually known as "Motherwort" or "Maiden wort" in English. It comes with the scientific name Artemisia Vulgaris. It typically occurs in all warm countries including Philippines, from the Bataan Island and northern Luzon to Mindanao. Damong maria is often found in and about towns at low and medium altitudes. It is frequently planted and stablished around the houses and gardens and open places.

Furthermore, this plant is also benificial to our health. In fact, study of crude extract yielded alkanoids, cournarins, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, tannins, and terpenes. This plant is considered effective as antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, hepatoprotective, and anti-oxidant. However, though it has a lot of herbal properties, this plant should not be use by pregnant women.


For more information about damong maria or Mugwort, please leave a comment below.

MANGO LEAVES

HEALTH BENEFITS

Diabetes
Overall heart health
Lower blood pressure level
Reduce stress and anxiety
Varicose veins
Helps improve digestion
Detoxify entire body
Sore throat
Hiccups
Improves eye health
Treats gall and kidney stones
Cures respiratory problems
Heals burns


PROPERTIES

Anti-oxidant
anti-microbial



STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE MANGO LEAVES TEA

Step 1: Take 10 pieces of mango leaves and wash them thorougly with clean water

Step 2: Put the mango leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water

Step 3: Boil the mango leaves for 10-15 minutes

Step 4: After boiling the mango leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.


Mango, the quintessential summer fruit, is perfect for desserts. But who would have imagined that a sweet, juicy and delicious fruit like mango can also be a healthy superfood? Well, it’s true. It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and minerals like copper, potassium and magnesium. Not only this, mango leaves which you may often discard can actually work as a great herbal medicine. Mango leaves are full of healing and medicinal properties. Benefits of mango leaves are so varied and extensive that they are given immense importance in eastern medicine too. They are reddish or purplish when tender and new, and grow into a dark green color and have a pale underside.

These leaves are fleshy and shiny with a sharp tip containing vitamins C, B and A. They are also rich in various other nutrients. These leaves have powerful antioxidant properties as they have a high content of flavonoids and phenols. They can be boiled in water to make a decoction or can be consumed in powdered form. In South East Asia, the tender leaves of the mango tree are cooked and eaten. Also for medicinal purposes young leaves should be used. But one has to be careful.

The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of mango leave can help treat various ailments effectively.

TSAANG GUBAT

(Carmona Retusa)

HEALTH BENEFITS

treating diarrhea
 diabetes
 scabies
 eczema
 gastroenteritis
 inflammation
 wounds



PROPERTIES

Anti-allergic
Anti-inflammatory
Analgesic
Anti-diarrheal
Anti-bacterial
Anti-mutagenic
Anti-tumor
Anti-proliferative
Anti-angiogenic
Anti-oxidant



PROCEDURES

Take tsaang gubat leaves, wash them thoroughly, put in the boiling put with 1 liter of water then boil for 20-30 minutes. Let it cool before drinking.


The Philippines is rich with medicinal and herbal plants which are helpful and effective in treating various conditions, and one of them is Tsaang Gubat or Wild Tea.

Tsaang Gubat is approved and endorsed by the Department of Health because it is proven to be safe for use. Most of the time, this plant is being used to cure skin diseases and stomach problems. It is a shrub that can be typically found not only in the Philippines but also in India and Sri Lanka, and is also becoming more popular as an ornamental plant in Japan and China.

This herb is abundant in the country and it is just a small tree which only grows between 1 to 5 meters. It has been traditionally used as a disinfectant wash during child birth, and even used to clean teeth and prevent tooth decay because it contains fluoride. It is also helpful in treating diarrhea, diabetes, scabies, eczema, gastroenteritis, inflammation, wounds and many others.

Recent studies have shown that tsaang gubat can also be used to fight allergies, together with sambong and lagundi. It also has antibacterial properties based on the scientific research.

If you think you can benefit from the plant and you’d like to know where it can be found, you won’t even have to search for it from afar because these plants can just thrive in the wild. You can also check with your local horticulturist if you can buy these plants from them. If you do not want to drink the juice from its boiled leaves, you can also opt for the ones in the form of capsules, tea bags and tablets.

LAGUNDI LEAVES

HEALTH BENEFITS

Cough and colds
Body pain
Fever
Sore throat
Rheumatism
Boils and worms
Dyspepsia
Cholera
Liver deseases
Asthma
Chicken fox


PROPERTIES

anti-inflammatory
anti-microbial
analgesic



STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE MANGO LEAVES TEA

Step 1: Take 10 pieces of lagundi leaves and wash them thorougly with clean water

Step 2: Put the lagundi leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water

Step 3: Boil the lagundi leaves for 10-15 minutes

Step 4: After boiling the lagundi leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.

Note: Drink Lagundi tea 3 glasses in a day.


Medicinal herbs have been the Filipino’s inexpensive treatments for a variety of illnesses. One of these medicinal herbs is the Lagundi.
Lagundi (Vitex negundo) is a famous herbal medicine in the Philippines because it has been widely used as a cure for coughs, not only for children but also for adults.
Lagundi contains anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and analgesic property that are helpful in treating respiratory illnesses.
Lagundi was recognized for its wide variety of healthy benefits. In fact, The Philippine Department of Health has included this herb in its list of 10 medicinal plants with clinically proven medicinal values.
In the Philippines, the best way to use this herb is to have it in the form of an herbal tea or concoction. Though lagundi has not been found to cause any side effects still, people should make sure to consult a medical professional before using the herbal medicine.
Lagundi contains an antihistamine and a muscle-relaxing substance called Chrysoplenol D, which makes the herb useful in treating the fever, asthma, colds, and coughs.
The reason why The Philippine DOH has recognized this herb it is because it is useful in treating complaints like a cough and flu.
In fact, the Philippine government is promoting this herb as a natural alternative to the western cough medicines.
Research has been found that Lagundi has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and analgesic properties.
The herb is also an effective pain reliever due to its analgesic properties and has been compared to drugs like aspirin. Meaning, the herb can be taken for a headache as well.

Note:

Just like other medications, though Lagundi use is widely acceptable as safe, this herb should not be taken without consulting a doctor, as it may seriously interact with other medications or it may be contraindicated for a specific condition.

PEPPERMINT

HEALTH BENEFITS

Peppermint tea cures such as:

Dysmenorrhrea

Bowel syndrome

Maintain eye health

Cough

Fever

Colds

Asthma

Nausea

Insomnia

Itching, burns, and insect bites

Reducing anxiety and stress

Kills cancer cells

Sore throat
Better circulation and liver detox


PROPERTIES

Antioxidants
anticancer
antibacterial



STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE YERBA BUENA TEA

Step 1: Take 20 pieces of peppermint leaves and wash them thorougly with clean water

Step 2: Put the peppermint leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water

Step 3: Boil the peppermint leaves for 10-15 minutes

Step 4: After boiling the peppermint leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.



Peppermint tea is a widely drank tea from South America. It is stimulating but also relaxing and it is very much a social occasion to drink the tea together. Traditionally it is drank from a gourd, and passed around and shared this way. It is also known to be nutritionally rich and have many health benefits.

Peppermint tea has a long history of use traditionally in South America as an anti-bacterial agent, treatment for gastrointestinal disorders, and for reducing the build-up of cholesterol. This nutrient rich South American leaf also has natural anti-biotic properties, with the presence of phyto-chemicals Saponins.

Peppermint tea and the natural compounds found in peppermint leaves may benefit your health in several ways.
While research on peppermint tea is limited, several studies outline the benefits of peppermint oil and peppermint extracts.
Peppermint may help improve digestion, freshen your breath and improve concentration.
Additionally, this mint has antibacterial properties and may improve allergy symptoms, headaches and clogged airways.
Peppermint tea is a delicious, naturally sweet, caffeine-free beverage that can safely be consumed at any time of day.

PANSIT-PANSITAN

(Peperomia Pellucida)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Pansit pansitan tea cures such as:

Arthritis

Headache

Urinary tract infection

Cholesterol

Eye irratation

Pimples


PROPERTIES

anti-inflammatory
antibacterial
refrigerant
analgesic
antifungal
anticancer

Pansit-pansitan (family: Piperaceae) is an herbal medicine also known as Ulasiman-bato, olasiman-ihalas & tangon-tangon in the Philippines. English name: peperomia. It is a small herb that grows from 1 to 1 1/2 feet. Pansit-pansitan can be found wild on lightly shaded and damp areas such as nooks, walls, yards and even roofs. Pansit-pansitan has heart shaped leaves, succulent stems with tiny flowers on a spike. When matured, the small fruits bear one seed which fall of the ground and propagate.

The leaves and stalk of pansit-pansitan are edible. It can be harvested, washed and eaten as fresh salad. Taken as a salad, pansit-pansitan helps relive rheumatic pains and gout. An infusion or decoction (boil 1 cup of leaves/stem in 2 cups of water) can also be made and taken orally - 1 cup in the morning and another cup in the evening.

For the herbal treatment of skin disorders like abscesses, pimples and boils, pound the leaves and/or the stalks and make a poultice (boil in water for a minute or two then pounded) then applied directly to the afflicted area. Likewise a decoction can be used as a rinse to treat skin disorders.

For headaches, heat a couple of leaves in hot water, bruise the surface and apply on the forehead. The decoction of leaves and stalks is also good for abdominal pains and kidney problems.
Like any herbal medicine it is not advisable to take any other medication in combination with any herbs. Consult with a medical practitioner knowledgeable in herbal medicine before any treatment.

For more information about how to use Pansit-pansitan as herbal medicine, just leave a comments below.

MIMOSA PUDICA

(Makahiya)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Makahiya grass cures such as:

Diabetes

Asthma

Wounds & sore

Piles & Fistula

Glandular swelling

Diuteric

Dysentery

Bruises

Fevers

Metropathy

Ulcers

Imflammation

Rheumatism

Edema

Dysmenorrhea

Uterine

Tumors


PROPERTIES

anti asthmatic
 antispasmodic
antidepressant
 alexipharmic
antispasmodic
antidepressant
anticonvulsant
 antimalarial
antinociceptive
antimenorrhagic


Makahiya is a diffusely spreading, half-woody herb, with branched stems up to 1 meter long, sparingly prickly with numerous deflexed, bristly hairs. The leaves are very sensitive, both pinnae and leaflets, folding when touched. Pinnae are usually 4, digitately arranged at the end of each petiole, and 4 to 9 centimeters long. The leaflets are narrowly oblong, inequilateral, 1 to 1.5 centimeters long, sessile, sparingly bristly, with pointed tips. Heads are long-peduncled, solitary or 2 to 3 in each axil, about 1 centimeter in diameter. Pods are flat, slightly recurved, 1 to 2 centimeters long, with 3 to 5 one-sided joints that fall away on maturity. Florets are red in the upper part with pink to lavender filaments.

For more information about makahiya plants, please leave a comments below.

AVOCADO LEAVES

HEALTH BENEFITS

Protects the body against degenerative deseases.
Helps prevent cancer
It supports skin health
Reduces blood sugar level
Reduces cholesterol
It helps to lose weight
Good for asthma
Back pain
Reduces tension
Support kidney health

PROPERTIES

Anti-oxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-bacterial

STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE AVOCADO TEA

Step 1: Take 10 pieces of avocado leaves and wash them thorougly with clean water

Step 2: Put the avocado leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water

Step 3: Boil the avocado leaves for 10-15 minutes

Step 4: After boiling the avocado leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.



Today’s people are very concern about their health. For the reason, they always want to know which food is beneficial. A large number of people consume avocado fruit to get its health benefits. But, do they know the amazing health benefits of avocado leaves? Luckily, using the advanced technology health scientist are able to find out the health benefits of avocado leaves. For the cultivation of avocado mild wind is necessary but heavy wind may responsible for the injury to flower and may affect pollination. Snowfall climate is the hostile environment for the cultivation of avocado. Avocado leaves contain so many ingredients such as flavonol, quercetin, glycosides, polyphenol, flavonoids, estragole, alpha-pinene, beta pinene, cineol, limonene, serotonin, and so on. These nutrients have so many salutary functions in our body.

Avocado leaves contain rich amount of protein and dietary fiber. Usually, this amount of protein and dietary fiber don’t belong to many individual fruits. Avocado leaves can be consumed for the purpose of prevention of various diseases. The leaves also have an adequate amount of minerals such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and so on. They have an important role in human body. For example, Calcium helps in the formation of bone, the hardness of bone, and helps in blood circulation. On the other hand, flavonoids are the compounds of avocado leaves. It has great role maintaining health such as anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting, anti-diabetic and keep safe nerve cells from degeneration. Every nutrient has a specific function to improve the condition of the human body.

Avocado leaves are more or less widely known all over the world because of only its health benefits. So many important constituents are present in this leaves which has many positive effects on our health. Some amazing type of health benefits the leaves have. We can get rid of many diseases by consuming avocado leaves. We should have a clear idea of health benefits of avocado leaves so that we can consume it for the right purpose.

ARATILIS LEAVES

(Kerson Leaves)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Arateles leaves can cure deseases such as:

Diabetes

Heart vascular deseases

Diarrhea

High blood

Fever & colds

Body and muscle pain

Kills Cancer cells

Helps digestive system

Treatment for liver deseases

Ulcer

Antibaterial and antifungal

Anti-oxidant

Anti-inflammatory

PROPERTIES

Anti-spasmodic
emmollient
antioxidant
anti-inflammatory
Antibacterial
anti-pyretic
analgesic
cytotoxic
hepatoprotective
 gastroprotective
cardioprotective
antibacterial
antiulcer
insecticidal
tyrosinase-inhibitory
and antifungal

STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE KERSON OR ARATILIS TEA

Step 1: Take aratilis leaves including fruits and wash them thorougly with clean water
Step 2: Put the aratilis leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1 liter of water
Step 3: Boil the aratilis leaves for 10-15 minutes
Step 4: After boiling the aratilis leaves, immediately remove the leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container
Step 5: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the benefits to our body.

 Aratiles is a fast growing tree, 5 to 10 meters high, with spreading branches. Leaves are hairy, sticky, alternate, distichous, oblong-ovate to broadly oblong-lanceolate, 8 to 13 centimeters long, with toothed margins, pointed apex and inequilateral base, one side rounded and the other acute. Flowers are about 2 centimeters in diameter, white, extra-axillary, solitary or in pairs. Sepals are 5, green, reflexed, lanceolate, about 1 centimeter long. Petals are white, obovate, 1 centimeter long, deciduous and spreading. Fruit is a berry, rounded, about 1.5 centimeter in diameter, red on ripening, smooth, fleshy, sweet and many seeded.

What researchers and nutritionists are now finding, like with so many other “unknown” fruits, is that there are some amazing health benefits packed into this little berry — benefits that act as preventatives and curatives, as well as uses for its leaves and flowers.
One of the big concerns of medicine today is that bacteria of all types are becoming resistant to the antibiotics that medical science produces. We have overused antibiotics to the point that bacteria have mutated, growing stronger and more resistant strains. Kerson Fruit is a natural antibiotic that will fight staph, intestinal bacteria, sepsis, and diphtheria. Further testing may prove its value in fighting other forms  of invaders as well.
The fruit itself includes fiber, carbs, protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and B-vitamins (which are some great mood enhancers). With this type of excellent nutritional benefit, it is no wonder that Kerson Fruit is such a staple in other parts of the world. People eat the fruit raw, make jams and jellies, and use it for baking. Finding Kerson Fruit in the US is a bit challenging. You can, however, buy it online in liquid form or in form of one or a group of supplements, and according to nutritionists, this is just as beneficial as the fruit itself.

SAMBONG LEAVES

HEALTH BENEFITS

Dissolve kidney stone

Diarrhea and other stomach problems

Detoxify the body

Treatment for fever, cough & colds

Sore througt
Liver desease
Antibacterial and antifungal

PROPERTIES

Anti-diarrheal
Anti-spasmodic
Anthelmentic
Antigastralgic
Astringent
Carminative
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Stomachic
Vulnerary

STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE SAMBONG TEA

Step 1: Take 10 pieces of sambong leaves

Step 2: Wash the sambong leaves thoroughly with clean water

Step 3: Put the sambong leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1.1 liter of water

Step 4: Boil the sambong leaves for 10 to 15 minutes

Step 5: After boiling, immediately remove the sambong leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 6: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the health benefits to our body.

Sambong is a half woody, strongly aromatic shrub, densely and softly hairy, 1 to 4 meters high. Stems grow up to 2.5 centimeters in diameter. Leaves are simple, alternate, elliptic- to oblong-lanceolate, 7 to 20 centimeters long, toothed at the margins, pointed or blunt at the tip, narrowing to a short petiole which are often auricled or appendaged. Flowering heads are stalked, yellow and numerous, 6 to 7 millimeters long, and borne on branches of a terminal, spreading or pyramidal leafy panicle. Discoid flowers are of two types: peripheral ones tiny, more numerous, with tubular corolla; central flowers few, large with campanulate corolla. Involucral bracts are green, narrow and hairy. Anther cells tailed at base. Fruits are achenes, dry, 1-seeded, 10-ribbed, hairy at top.

Long before the introduction of modern medicine in the rural areas, the leaves of the sambong shrub is prepared and drank as tea and thus was discovered to have expectorant as well as antispasmodic and anti diarrheal properties. The leaves were also often used as antiseptic for minor cuts and wounds. Today, together with the advances in modern medicine the sambong shrub is an alternative medicine in treating hypertension and rheumatism, colds and fever, dysentery, stomach pains and sore throat. Sambong also has diuretic properties as such it is also a cheap medicine that can help treat kidney disorders. This mighty shrub also helps in eliminating the body of excess water and salt.

Because of its many benefits, it is one of the ten herbal medicines that is approved and promoted by the Philippine Department of Health or DOH as an alternative medicine. The National Kidney Institute of the Philippines also promotes sambong in order to delay the need of dialysis or kidney transplant.

BANABA LEAVES

HEALTH BENEFITS

1. Inflammation of kidney, Dysuria, and other urinary dysfunction
2. Normalize Blood pressure level
3. Control the cholesterol level
4. Normalize blood sugar level
5. Treatment for diarrhea
6. Metabolic symdrome
7. Fever
8. Cancer
9. Weight reduction


PROPERTIES

Anti-inflammatory
Anti-oxidant
Anticoagulant/antiplatelet
Antithrombin

STEP BY STEP GUIDES ON HOW TO MAKE BANABA TEA

Step 1: Take 10 pieces of banaba leaves

Step 2: Wash the banaba leaves thoroughly with clean water

Step 3: Put the banaba leaves in a boiling pot and pour 1.1 liter of water

Step 4: Boil the banaba leaves for 10 to 15 minutes

Step 5: After boiling, immediately remove the banaba leaves or immediately pour the made tea into a container

Step 6: Let it cool the made tea before drinking and enjoy the health benefits to our body.

Note: Drink the banaba tea 4-6 glasses in a day

Banaba is a deciduous, tropical, flowering tree that grows in India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. It typically grows 5 to 10 m in height, and sometimes up to 20 m. The smooth, large, spatulate, oblong to elliptic-ovate leaves measure 4 to 8 cm in width and 12 to 25 cm in length. The flowers are pink to purple when in bloom, and give way to oval, nut-like fruits; the leaves turn orange-red in the fall. The bark of the tree is smooth, grey to cream colored, and peels off in flakes.

Banaba has been used as a folk medicine to treat diabetes in various parts of the world, especially in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Folkloric use of banaba leaf decoctions for diuretic and purgative purposes and of root parts for stomach ailments has also been recorded. The first published research study evaluating the insulin-like activity of an aqueous extract of dried leaves given to rabbits was reported in 1940; since then, studies evaluating banaba for treatment of diabetes have been conducted in animal models, humans, and in vitro laboratory settings.

KAKAWATE

(Madre de cacao)

HEALTH BENEFITS

Kakawate leaves can cure deseases such as:

Eczema
Insect bites
Wounds
Scabies
Kills amoeba bacteria
Gonorrhea
Arthritis
Sprain


PROPERTIES

Anti-infammatory
Antidiarrheal
Antidysenteric
Antimutagenic
Anti-oxidant
Antimicrobial
Anti-scabies
Nematicidal
Insecticidal
Acaricidal
Bactericidal
Hepatoprotective
Pesticidal
Viricidal

PROCEDURES

- Dermatitis, skin itching: Apply juice or decoction of leaves, bark or roots on the skin as antipruritic.
- Fresh leaves applied to the skin as insect repellent.
- As counterirritant: Crush leaves and apply as poultice for rheumatic pains, sprains and closed fractures.
- Sap of bark, leaves and roots have been used for wound healing.
- Treatment of scabies.
- In Guatemala, the bark and leaves are used to treat skin diseases.
- In Guatemala and Costa Rica, bark decoction is used against bacterial and protozoal infections.
- In many folkloric regimens of other countries, used for headache, bruises, burns, colds, cough, fever, fatigue, gangrene, gonorrhea, skin itches and sores; as antidote, insecticide, insect repellent.
- In Panama, decoction of leaves used in urticaria, rash, burns, and erysipelas.
- In some parts of Nigeria, used for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

Others
- Wood: Wood is hard and durable used for small housing needs, posts, implement handles and firewood. In the Tagalog areas, popularly used as a living fence or live stakes to support plantings.
- Fuel: Used as firewood or source of charcoal. Wood produces a slow burn, without sparking and with little smoke. Calorific value of a 5-year old tree is 4,550 kcal/kg. (28)
- Fleas and ticks: Leaves have a fetid smell; crushed, used to rid dogs of fleas and ticks and cattle, of ticks. (Also read this blog: Washing Your Dog with Boiled Madre de Cacao Leaves.



Kakawati is a smooth, deciduous tree, 3 to 10 meters high. Leaves are 15 to 25 centimeters long with 13 leaflets which are opposite, oblong-ovate, 4 to 6 centimeters long, with a pointed tip and rounded base. Racemes are numerous on leafless branches, containing many flowers. Flowers are pink, 2 centimeters long, with a truncate calyx. The standard is reflexed and pale-yellow in the median part. The pods are narrowly oblong to oblanceolate, 10 to 14 centimeters long, about 2 centimeters wide, containing 6 to 8 seeds.

Plant has found application as rodenticide and general pesticide. Leaves, seeds, or powdered bark are toxic to humans when mixed with cooked rice or maize. The mechanism of toxicity is not understood.

There is some evidence to suggest G. sepium can protect some crops from fungal, insect or viral attack directly or by acting as a diversionary host plant for pets. Studies have also suggested G. sepium mulch has a fungicidal effect. It has been used to control termite damage in Sri Lanka and stem-borer damage to rice in the Philippines. In India, the tree was found to have a positive effect on the transmission of aphids (Aphis craccivora) causing rosette disease in groundnuts.