epublic Act No. 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 allows for the use of medicinal plants. Here are 8 plants that are scientifically proven to provide the stated health benefits as endorsed by the Department of Health of the Philippines.
Bawang (garlic)

IndicationsTo control increased blood pressure and bad cholesterol

Dosage: Take one clove per day, raw or cooked. It has an additional effect of reducing clotting. So, inform your nurse and doctor that you are taking garlic regularly before a surgery.

Pansit-pansitan (garlic)

Indications: To control uric acid in gout and arthritis.

Dosage: Eat the stem and leaves raw as a salad or as tea.

Akapulko (garlic)

Indications: For fungal infections on the skin.

Dosage: Pound fresh leaves and apply the juice on affected areas. Dispose after one day.

Sambong (garlic)

Indications: For excretion of urinary stones.

Dosage: Prepare the leaves as tea. Drink three times a day.

Bayabas (guava)

Indications: Antiseptic for wounds and mouthwash.

Dosage: Boil leaves and use the water to wash affected area. Use two times daily.

Lagundi

IndicationsFor cough relief.

Dosage: Boil half a cup of leaves in two cups of water for 10 minutes. Drink half a cup three times a day.

Lagundi

Indications: For intestinal worms.

Dosage: Crack and ingest the dried seeds only. Take 5 seeds for kids, 10 seeds for adults, once a day for a week.

Ampalaya (bitter melon or bitter gourd)

Indications: For type 2 diabetes mellitus. It was taken off the list in 2003, but it was put back in 2007.

Dosage: Eat the cooked leaves or prepare the leaves as tea.

There are two more plants that are DOH-approved: Yerba Buena for pain and Tsaang Gubat for upset stomach. Other plants are still undergoing testing, maybe Tawa-tawa will be included soon especially since the Dengue season has begun.

Gamemaster Ari is the founder and game master of the The Autotelic Project. Read his other recent lists here and here.

Gamemaster Ari


Ari Bancale is a scientist at heart, an artist in mind, a beach bum online, and a gamer in theory. He loves food, the great outdoors, and most especially, food in the great outdoors. He dreams of making the Philippines more fun by building the biggest Filipino brand of awesome games.



 


Ari has 8 pairs of shoes, joined 7 university organizations, sleeps 6 hours a day, speaks 5 languages, trained in 4 martial arts, holds 3 academic degrees, can juggle 2 balls in one hand. And, he is still looking for the 1 he can call his significant other.



 


He's @gamemasterARI on Twitter and gamemaster2.0 on Facebook.

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