Official 10 Best Philippine Herbs

There are lots of amazing herbs in the Philippines. But officially, according to the government, here are the 10 best Philippine herbs:


  1. Akapulko. In English, it's known as ringworm bush. And you guessed right--it's for treating ringworms, plus other fungal infections on the skin. It's also popular as bayabas-bayabasan in Tagalog (or "quasi guava"). Scientific name: Cassia alata. 
  2. Ampalaya. It's a popular melon-like vegetable and is actually popular as bitter melon. It's good for lowering blood sugar levels and recommended for diabetes (diabetes milletus) patients, not as a primary medicine, but as healing food. If you're a patient not dependent on insulin, the more ampalaya is good for you. Scientific name: Momordica charantia.
  3. Bawang. Garlic in English, it's good for normalizing high blood pressure (HBP) and reducing bad cholesterol in your blood. HBP sufferers crush some pieces of garlic and eat them raw to alleviate the effects of HBP and lower it. Scientific name: Allium sativum.
  4. Bayabas. Guava in English, some folks swear boiling the young leaves is a good source of natural anti-biotic. Officially, it's an all-natural antiseptic and disinfectant for wounds. You want fresh breath and get rid of bad breath and gingivitis? Gargle the brew from boiled leaves--when it has cooled down, of course. Use it for your sore throat and tonsillitis. Scientific name: Psidium guajava.
  5. Lagundi. Boil the leaves and use as an all-natural cough syrup. Scientific name: Vitex negundo.
  6. Niyog-niyogan. It's a good de-wormer, like trichina and ascaris. Folks use dried, mature seeds for treating intestinal worms 2 hours after eating meals. Scientific name: Quisqualis indica L.
  7. Sambong. A powerful diuretic used for flushing out urinary stones. The leaves are boiled and the brew drank like tea. Also used as an endema. Scientific name: Blumea balsamifera.
  8. Tsaang Gubat. Forest tea in literal English.For intestinal motility. It can also be a mouth wash--it contains fluoride. Scientific name: Ehretia microphylla lam.
  9. Pansit-pansitan. The tea is good for treating gout and arthritis. The leaves and stems are crunchy and may be eaten as an herb salad. Just wash them and sprinkle some salt and vinegar. Also called Ulasimang Bato because they often grow on the surfaces of rocks or damp walls. Scientific name: Peperomia pellucida.
  10. Yerba Buena. This is Filipino peppermint. If you have pain or body aches, this Philippine herb is good. Pound the leaves and apply topically to pain area. Wrap with a clean cloth or bandage. Scientific name: Clinopodium douglasii.
So there you have it, the 10 best Philippine herbs, the official list. I suggest you care for them the moment you see them growing wildly in your backyard.