Local Philippine Medicinal plants

FROM ROOTS TO LEAVES: THE PHILIPPINE MEDICINAL PLANTS

HISTORY Even before the coming of Western pharmaceuticals and modern drug stores, numerous indigenous medicinal plants are already bringing cure to early Filipinos. Medicinal plants contain powerful ingredients which can address a wide range of ailments. From their raw or cooked form, Philippine medicinal plants came to be available in capsules, teas, tinctures, and other items like lotions and oils. Even Western companies have come to recognize the curative potency of our local flora. The early 90's seemed hopeful for the merging of western and alternative medicine in the Philippines. There was a burgeoning global movement towards alternative therapies, a new-age allure for "natural" remedies; and in the Philippines, the beginnings of herbal medicinal research & development. In 1992, during the term of Juan Flavier as Secretary of Health, a brochure of 10 medicinal plants (akapulko, ampalaya, bawang, bayabas, lagundi, niyog-niyogan, pansit-pansitan, sambong, tsaanggubat, yerba buena) for common health problems was published and commercial production was pursued. In 1997, the TAMA (Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act) was passed, providing a legitimizing boost to the alternative medicine movement in the Philippines. The abundance of medicinal plants demonstrates how well-endowed our country’s nature is. The medicinal wonders of many of our local plants had been known to our ancestors for centuries. And with further studies, there is no question that we can enhance the curative powers of these gifts of nature. Truly, the country is a Garden of Eden for plants with healing and therapeutic properties.

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ESCOLARIAN BOTANIST

NTS:RO A L P s L t A o IN o R IC : D s PlEant cinal M

Medi

Lagolo

Acrostichum aureum Linn.

Abang-abang

Leea manillensis Walp. RED LEEA Abang-abang is a smooth or nearly smooth shrub or small tree, 3 to 5 meters in height. Leaves are three or four

times pinnately compound, 50 to 80 centimeters long. Leaflets are ellipticovate to oblong lanceolate, 6 to 15 centimeters long, toothed at the margins, pointed at the tip and rounded or somewhat pointed at the base. Flowers are borne on large cymes, up to 50 centimeters in diameter, five-parted and about 3 millimeters long, a few opening at a time, the stalks and calyx are red, the petals, pale yellow. Fruit is dark red, depressed-globose and about 8 millimeters in diamter. Decoction of roots, branches and leaves used for wound h e a l i n g . In Thailand, root used for diarrhea and hallucination. In southern Western Ghats, leaf juice of the plant is mixed with coconut milk, given three times daily for treatment of dysentery with blood discharge. In a study of the potential antihypertensive activity of Brazilian plants, Leea rubra was one of five

GOLDEN LEATHER FERN Lagolo is a coarse fern growing to a height of 2 meters. Rootstocks are stout, woody and scaly. Stipes are clustered, stout and glabrous, 30 to 50 cm long. Fronds are leathery, pinnate, 50 to 200 cm long. Leaflets are 20 to 50 cm long, 4 to 6 cm wide. Terminal part of the frond has fertile pinnae covered with brownish sporangia. Fertile upper pinnae are smaller than the lower sterile ones. Phytochemical studies have yielded beta-sitosterol, alkaloid, flavonoids, phenolics, catechins, saponins, tannins. Study of 16 listed Bangladeshi plants, screened against human gastric, colon, and breast cancer cell lines, Acrostichum aureus showed the most potent selective cytotoxicity.

Kalios

Streblus asper Lour. SANDPAPER TREE Kalios is a rigid and densely branched tree, 4 to 15 meters high. Leaves are oblong-ovate to subrhomboid, 4 to 12 cm long, very rough on both sides, with finely toothed margins, the tip blunt or tapering to a point, the base narrowed. Male flowers are in roundish heads, 4 to 7 mm in diameter, short-peduncled, greenish-yellow or nearly white. Female flowers are peduncled, usually in pairs, green, the sepals accrescent and nearly

OTS

10 mm l o n g , pale yellow, the pericarp soft and fleshy. Seed is ovoid, 5 to 6 mm long. Considered astringent, antiseptic, antifilarial, cardiotonic, soothing, antiaging. Root is considered antipyretic, antidysenteric, analgesic and sedative. Extract studies of root bark on frog heart showed positive ionotropic effect. Extract of stem bark revelaed macrofilaricidal activity. Ethanol extract of leaves and sticks shown to inhibit growth of Strep mutans. Strep mutans is strongly associated with dental caries. Study suggests a potential for S asper extract as a natural product for controlling dental caries. Polyphenolic fractions found to have insecticidal activity. Study using osteosarcoma cells in an in vitro model, s h o w e d Streblus asper root extract exerted cell death to osteosarcoma cells. Study also showed antioxidant compounds such as caffeic acid in the root extracts which may act as a carcinogenic inhibitor. Study of volatile oil of S. asper from fresh leaves yielded phytol, afarnesene, trans-farnesyl acetate, caryophyllene and trans-trans-a-farnesene. The volatile oil showed significant anticancer activity from cytotoxicity screening tests. with mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells.

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Talahib

Saccharum spontaneum Linn. WILD SUGARCANE Talahib is a coarse, erect, perennial grass, with stout underground rootstock growing to a height of 1 to 3.5 meters.

and various abdominal disorders, mental diseases, dyspnea, anemia and obesity. In Uttar Pradesh, paste prepared from equal quantities of fresh roots of Cynodon dactylon and Saccharum sponataneum is given with cow's milk and sugar for leucorrhea, early morning for one month. Screening yielded the presence of quinines, alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates, protein, coumarin, phenol, steroid and glycosides. Study in rats showed reduction in motor activity, more pronounced in the ethanol and aqueous extracts. The aqueous extracts showed mild antipsychotic activity. The psychopharmacologic effects were attributed to the alklaloids, tannins, steroids and glycosides.

Botolan

Securinega virosa Roxb. ex Willd. Leaves are harsh and linear, 0.5 to 1 meter long; 6 to 15 mm wide. Pannicles are white and erect, measuring 15-30 cm long, with slender and whorled branches, the joints covered with soft white hair.Spikelets are about 3.5 mm long, much shorter than the copious, long, white hairs at the base. In the Philippines decoction of the roots used a s a d i u r e t i c . Decoction of roots used for fever. Warmed poultice of the stem pulp applied to painful areas in the leg and in cases suffering from beri beri. In Pakistan, used as laxative, phthisis, burning sensations and disease of the b l o o d . In Ayurveda, used for dyspepsia, piles, sexual weakness, respiratory problems and gynecological troubles. In Bengal, roots used as galactagogue a n d d i u r e t i c . In India, fresh juice of stems used to treat mental illness and mental disturbances by the vaidhiyars. In Siddha, the whole plant is used for diseases of vatam and pittam, vomiting

COMMON BUSHWEED

stem bark and root bark of Securinega virosa on a castor oil-induced diarrheal model showed the leaves and root bark extract to possess pharmacological activity against diarrhea. Study of methanol extract showed significant and dosedependent reduction of the onset and prolonged the duration of sleep. It also produced significant and dose dependent motor coordination deficit in mice. Results suggest the root bark extract contains biologically active principles that are sedative.

The doctor of the future will give no " medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." -Thomas Edison, Inventor

Botolan is a small, deciduous, smooth, large, graceful shrub. Leaves are extremely variable in shape, elliptic-ovate, obovate or orbicular, 2.5 to 10 centimeters in length, rather glaucous beneath, and rounded, obtuse or pointed at the tip. Flowers are usually borne on axillary fascicles. Fruit is mostly small, black or white, dry, and about 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter. Study investigating the antidiarrheal activity of methanolic extracts of leaves, 3

ESCOLARIAN BOTANIST

MEDICINAL

s:Bark Medicinal Plant

PLANTS:BARK

Susong-kalabau Kabal

Fagraea racemosa Jack FALSE COFFEE TREE Kabal is a tree growing about 6 meters or more in height. Leaves are opposite, very leathery, oblong ovate or ovate, 15 to 33 centimeters in length, 8 to 18 cen-

timeters in width, rounded or somewhat heart-shaped at the base, and pointed at the tip. Stipules form a cup around the stem on which the leaves are borne. Flowers are borne in clusters on terminal inflorescences which are often 20 to 30 centimeters in length. Corolla is white, funnel-shaped, about 2.5 to 3 centimeters in diameter, with 5 promient lobes. Fruit is a broadly ovoid or rounded berry, about 1 centimeter in diameter, containing many seeds and borne in good sized bunches. Study of stem bark isolated a new terpene alkaloid, fagraeoside, along with secologanoside. Fagraeoside inhibited the production of PGE2 (prostaglandin E2) in murine fibroblasts. It also showed low to mode rate activity in an ti acetylcholinesterase screening.

Artabotrys suaveolens Blume Susong-kalabau is a large, rambling and woody climber with hooked shaped inflorescences. Leaves are simple, alternate, leathery, shining, smooth, oblong, 5 to 12 centimeters long, with very short petioles. Flowers are clustered at the forked ends of the main stalk, with a thick calyx which is united at the base, with oval-shaped segments. Petals are narrowly linear, 2 centimeters long. Fruit are glossy green, with carpels connected by short stalks to the center of the fruit. Each fruit (carpel) contains a single seed. Bark tests indicate strong alkaloid concentrations. Two alkaloids have been isolated from

the bark of the stems and roots: a phenolic alkaloid, suaveoline and a nonphenolic bitter alkaloid, artabotrine. Decoction of bark and roots used as emmenagogue, and for women after parturition.

Molave

Vitex parviflora Juss. SMALL-FLOWER CHASTE TREE Phytochemical studies have yielded flavonoids, triterpenoids, lignans

and iridoids. Decoction or infusion of wood considered a remedy for poisons, as it induces vomiting. Study yielded six new iridoid glucosides together with two known iridoids, agnuside and negundoside, from the ethyl acetate extractive of the leaves of V altissima. Compounds 2 - 4 showed potent antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging and DPPH radical scavenging methods. DO YOU KNOW ConsidTHAT… ered carminative, anthelmin- “many drugs commonly tic, diges- used today are of herbal origin” tive. 4

ESCOLARIAN BOTANIST

:STEMS AND

oods s:Stems and W LANTS Medicinal Plant

MEDICINAL P

Mala-ulasiman-aso

Makabuhay

Oldenlandia corymbosa (Linn)

Tinospora rumphii Boerl.

FLAT TOP MILE

HEAVENLY ELIXIR

Malaulasiman is a slender, erect or spreading, branched, annual herb, 20 to 50 cm in length. Leaves are stalkless,

Makabuhay is a climbing, dioecious vine reaching a height of 4 to 10 meters. Stems are up to 1 centimeter thick and somewhat fleshy, with scattered protuberances. Leaves are thin, ovate, 612 centimeters long, and 7 to 12 ccentimeters wide, with pointed and truncate or somewhat heart-shaped based,

linear-oblanceolate to linear-oblong, and 1.5 to 3 cm long. Flowers occur in axillary, peduncled, 2- to 5-flowered umbels, with slender peduncles which are 5 to 10 mm long; the pedicels are half as long or less; and solitary flowers are often intermixed. Corolla is small and white. Capsules are shaped like a top, about 2 mm long, and do not protrude beyond the short, acuminate, calyx-lobes. Study on the effect of methanolic extract of HC against paracetamol overdose-induced liver damage in Wistar rats showed significant hepatoprotective effects evidenced by decreased enzme activities and an almost normal histological architecture. Study of A paniculata and Hedyotis corymbosa, both known for their hepatoprotective and fever-reducing abilities, showed inhibitory activity in the ring stage of the parasite without invivo toxicity, with increased invivo potency when used in combination and with curcumin.

smooth and shining. Petioles are 3.5 to 6 centimeters long. Racemes are solitary or in pairs arising from axils of fallen leaves, pale green, slender, 10 to 20 centimeters long. Flowers are pale green and short pedicelled. Fruit 8 millimeters long, in long clusters. Plant contains a bitter principle, colombine (2.22%); traces of an alkaloid; and a glucoside. Also contains a amorphous bitter principle, picroretine and traces o f b e r b e r i n e .

WOODS

A study showed that the bitter extract of the stem does not contain an alkaloid. Leaves yielded picroretine, traces of an alkaloid, and a substance similar to glyzirrhizin. Bitter principle is glucosidal in nature. Study reported two alkaloids, tinosporine and tinosporidine. (Later studies failed to confirm these.) Study yielded two new diterpenes along with known compounds tinotufolin D and vitexilactone. Being studied for it possible stimulant effect on the immune system. Anecdotal benefits for a variety of HIV-related complaints. Study on the extract of Tinospora cordifolia roots for 6 weeks resulted in a significant reduction of blood and urine glucose and lipids in serum and tissues in alloxan diabetic rats. Chloroform extract of air-dried leaves yielded a new clerodane diterpene, B2, and known diterpenes B1, tinotufolin D (B5) and vitexilactone (B3). B2 was found to have antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and T. mentagrophytes, and antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis.

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Labuag/Sapinit

Hibiscus surattensis Linn. WILD SOUR Labuag is a weak-stemmed trailing plant covered with soft hairs and scattered prickles. Leaves are rounded, toothed, and deeply and palmately 3- or 5-lobed. Flowers are yellow with a dark red center. Capsules are hairy and ovoid. Seeds are downy. In a study of the fatty acid composition of seed oils of seven Hibiscus species of malvaceae, all contained 13-17% oil. Linoleic acid predominated in the component fatty acids of all oils, followed by palmitic acid and oleic acid. A lotion or ointment of the stem and leaf as treatment for penile irritation; including venereal sores and urethritis. Infusion used as injection into the urethra and vagina for gonorrhea and other urethral inflammations.

In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Lycopodium cernuum (Linn) All fractions of LC extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity suggesting the plant contains compounds with therapeutic activity. Pharmacologically active compounds such as alkaloids and serratene triterpenes have been found in L cernuum which may be responsible for its antimicrobial effect. 5 fractions from the hexane fraction (100% hexane) yielded the highest activity. Study sug-

Kamantigi

Impatiens balsamina Linn. TOUCH-ME-NOT Kamantigi is an annual, erect, succulent, branched herb, 1 meter high or less. Leaves are smooth, somewhat glabrous or pubescent, 3 to 5 centimeters long, narrowly lanceolate or oblanceolate, pointed at both ends, deeply serrate, alternate, the petioles with basal glands as seen under a magnifying glass. Flowers are axillary, showy, 2 to 3 centimeters long, usually pink, but forms with white, red, purple, or variegated petals are also found in cultivation. The sepal spur is long and slender. The stamens are 5, filaments short, broad, anthers uniting. The ovary is 5-celled, the stigma, 5-toothed, the ovules many. Fruits are loculicidal capsules, pubescent and explosive when ripe. Study

Lamon-babae

Lycopodium cernuum L. TRUE CLUB MOSS Lamon-babe is a prostrate plant, with stout and creeping stems, 30 to 100 cm long and with small bristly leaves throughout. Primary branches are rigidly erect, 20 to 60 cm long, much branched in the upper portion; the lower branches are divided and short, spreading or ascending, pendulous towards the tips. Leaves are inserted all around the stems and branches, crowded, narrowly linear-subulate, 2 to 3 mm long. Spikes (cone-like fruiting bodies) are numerous, solitary, and sessile on the tips of the branchlets, 5 to 15 mm long.

gests the plant is a potential source of an antibacterial agent for the treatment of H. pylori. Fractionation of ethanol extract of L cernuum for Candida albicans secreted aspartic proteases (SAP) inhibition resulted in six new and four known serratene triterpenes and an apigeninglucopyranoside. Two compounds, lycernuic acid C and and apigenin-4'-O (2',6' '-di-O-p-coumaroyl)-beta-Dglycopyranoside, showed inhibitory effects against C albicans secreted aspartic proteases.

isolated a final and activie component, 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, which showed an intensive in vitro anti-tumor activity against HepG2 cells. Because of high mineral content, concerns have been raised on regular ingestion of large quantities of the plant, especially those with gout, urolithiasis, and arthritis.

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ESCOL ARI AN B OT ANI ST

s: Leaves Medicinal Plant

Climbing bird's nest fern Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel FISHTAIL STRAP-FERN Climbing bird's-nest fern is a robust ground fern with attractive leaves. Leaves are bright green, elongated, more or less ruffled at the margins and forking in various segments at the apex. Decoction of plant used for coughing fits. Elsewhere, leaf juice used as purgative or enema. Leaf juice also used as diuretic and for healing wounds.

NTS: LEAVES

MEDICINAL PLA

Study of hydroalcoholic extract of SR for antituor activity against EA carcinoma exhibited remarkable antitumor activity attributed to its augmentation of endogenous antioxidant mechanisms. Study of hydroalcoholilc extract of SR rhizome in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats demonstrated remarkable antidiabetic activity possibly through its modulation of endogenous antioxidant status.

Damong maria

Artemisia vulgaris Linn. MAIDEN WORT, CHINESE HONEYSUCKLE, WORMWOOD

Buntot-tigre

Cordyline roxburghiana (Schultes) Merr. INDIAN BOWSTRING HEMP Buntot-tigre is a herbaceous perennial with short stem and a rootstock that is very stout, branching and stoliniferous. Leaves are erect, fleshy, fibrous and flat ( in other varieties cylindrical or concave above, rounded dorsally), sub-erect, dagger-shaped, rigid, pale-green with transverse bands of dark green, or darkgreen with gray mottles, 0.4 to 1.5 meters long, 4 to 7 cm wide. Scape is erect, 30 to 80 cm long. Flowers are palecolored, numerous, in facsicles of 3 to 6, sweet-scented, 2.5 to 3 cm long, with the perianth segments nearly twice as long as the tube. Fruit is sparingly produced, globose, about 8 mm indiameter. Seeds are broadly ovoid and white, with horny albumen.

Plant yields a volatile oil consisting of cineol, thujone, paraffin and aldehyde. Roots contain inulin, tannin, resin and a vo lat i le o il , 0 .1 pe r ce n t. Study of crude extract yielded alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, tannins and terpenes. Study of dichlormethane extract of dried-leaves of AV yielded a new sesquiterpene 1, caryophyllene oxide, phytyl fatty esters, squalene, stigmasterol and sitosterol. A study isolated twenty known flavonoids, the most abundant were eriodictyol and luteolin. Two flavonoids, eriodictyol and apigenin, induced the transcription of the estrogen receptor gene in transgenic yeast. Study suggests that the aqueous and chloroform extracts of leaves of Av have anti-hypertensive actions with not significant effecfts on cardiovascular hemodynamics. Study showed A. vulgaris exhibits a combination of anticholinergic and Ca+ antagonist mechanisms, providing pharma

cologic basis for its folkloric use in hy-

peractive gut and airway disorders, such as abdominal coli, diarrhea and asthma

Tungkod-pare Baston De San Jose

Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev. GOOD LUCK PLANT . Considered antiseptic, aphrodisiac, depurative, diuretic, mildly cooling, blood refrigerant, febrifuge, laxative, purgative, hemostatic, disperses contusions, analgesic, tonic. In Java, young tender leaf shoots are eaten as vegetable. Roots may be boiled and baked into food, sweet candy or a fermented drink. In Hawaii, leaves used to preserve breadfruit. Used as sweetener in Fiji.

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Cypres Cupressus sempervirens CYPRESS A large perennial plant that can grow to four meters high, on a single trunk and branching that increases in circumference with age. Leaves are small and scale-like. Cones and young branches considered anthelmintic, antipyretic, antiseptic, astringent, sudorific, vasocontrictor, vulnerary. Study has yielded three biflavonoids—amenotoflavone,

Licorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. LIQUORICE

cupressuflavone, and podocarpusflavone-A. Essential oil extracted from leaves (needles) and twigs. A proanthocyanidin polymer fraction from CS showed true antiviral activity in vitro against HIV and HTLV IIB.

Dama de noche

Cestrum nocturnum Linn. NIGHT BLOOMING CESTRUM Widely cultivated in the Philippines for its sweet-scented flowers that bloom at night. The study isolated two new flavonoid glycosides and seven steroidal saponins. The study reports cytotoxic activities of the compounds against human oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal human gingival fibroblasts. The study isolated two new flavonoid glycosides and seven steroidal saponins. The study reports cytotoxic activities of the compounds against human oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal human gingival fibroblasts. Study of methanol extract of leaves showed strong dose-dependent analgesic and antiinflammatory activity compared to standard drug. It also showed mild antipyretic activity at higher tested dose.

Licorice is a plant of ancient origin, steeped in history, and has been medicinally used for more than 4000 years. It is a component of many traditional medical systems. Hippocrates in 400 BC mentioned it as a remedy for ulcers. Locally, referred to as "anis" because of its similarity in taste with haras (fennel). Study yielded Major bio-active constituent of rhizomes is glycyrrhizin (a triterpenoid saponin), glycyrrhizinic acid, glabin A and B, glycyrrhetol, glabrolie, isoglabrolide, isoflavones coumarins, triterpene sterols, etc. Study yielded a new chacone derivative, neoligban lipid esters and phenolic compounds (formononetin, glabridin, hemileiocarpin, hispaglabridin B, isoliquirtigenin, 4'-O-methylglabridin and paratocarpin B. Study yielded a new chacone derivative, neoligban lipid esters and seven known phenolic compounds. Hispaglabridin B, isoliquirtigenin, and paratocarpin B were found to be potent antioxidant agents. Isoliquirtigenin also demonstrated to prevent the incidence of 1,2 dimethylhydrazine-induced colon and lung tumors in mice when administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg. Aqueous extract of G glabra significantly improved learning and memory of mice and also reversed the amnesia induced by diazepam and scopolamine. Its antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties may be contributing to the memory enhancement effect through facilitation of the cholinergic-transmission in mouse brain.

Study yielded main components as glycyrrhizin, 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, isoliquiritin, and liquiritigenin were isolated from licorice, and their antiallergic effects, such as anti-scratching behavior and IgE production-inhibitory activity, were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Antiallergic effects of licorice are were attributed to glycyrrhizin, 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, and liquiritigenin, which can relieve IgE-induced allergic diseases such as dermatitis and asthma. Hexane extract of Gg showed an inhibitory effect on bone resorption of about 40% at dilution of 1:10,000 without being toxic. Study shows Gg affects peroxisome proliferation activated receptors, thereby regulating the expression of genes that play an important role in glucose metabolism.

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FEATURE

Antonio Agustin Filipino Herbalist Cure for Cancer Filipino Herbalist invents a Dietary Supplement that can cure Cancer. Antonio Agustin is a Filipino Herbalist. He made an amazing discovery of a coconut based herbal drink which has cured several severe illnesses. According to him, he was able to prove that Boston C Triton Herbs is really effective in healing prostate, cancer, bronchial asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes mellitus, emphysema, edema, sinusitis, hemorrhoid, rheumatoid arthritis, viral and bacterial infections and psoriasis. It also hastens the recovery of people who have suffered from stroke and rehabilitate the kidneys of those undergoing dialysis. This godgiven medicine can cure all illness that science or modern medicine can’t cure. Have faith and try Boston C Triton Herbs, it may be the answer to your prayer of getting well. “You DON’T have to die of Cancer” A Breakthrough in Cancer Cure If you are looking for a very potent, safe and effective cure for cancer, this is the answer – Although it is still classified by BFAD as an Herbal Food Supplement, both biological testing and actual experience show that Boston C herbal Extracts go very well beyond that. In 2002 and 2003, the U.P. Institute of Biology conducted laboratory test using Bostn C Triton Herbs extracts in different dilutions on lung adenocarcinoma, colon carcinoma, jurkat cell lymphoma, bladder carcinoma, while a prominent Asian Biotechnology Laboratory tested it on lung and cervical cancer cells for presentation to the World Health Organization. The official results of these scientific laboratory tests clearly revealed and certified that even in its most diluted form, the Boston C Herbal Extracts were still able to kill off more than half the population of cancer cells within 3-5 days, depending on the type of the cancer. This means that when taken in its undiluted form and on a daily basis for a period of time the herbal concoction will surely free the body of cancer. And since these herbal extracts have an almost zero toxicity level, it can be taken liberally without damaging the rest of the body; thus making it the better and safer alternative to an operation, chemotherapy and radiation. Boston C Triton Herbs is a purified extracts of Nata de Coco and other herbal plants. It is very rich in Vitamin C, which serves as an anti-oxidant; and contains other phythochemicals known for their curative effects. See their website at http://www.tritonherbs.com/

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Philippines towards a ScienceBased Herbal Industry: Initiatives, Challenges, Solutions

Written by Ana Ciaren P. Hipolito

Representatives from government, non-government organizations, private and academic sectors gathered in a roundtable discussion entitled: Strengthening the Science-Based Herbal Industry in the Philippines: Issues, Challenges and Solutions• organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) last February 15, 2012 at the Traders Hotel in Manila. Existing Initiatives Dr. Francis Vicente S. Ras, Education and Promotion Ofﬕcer V of the Philippine Institute for Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) shared the efforts of the Institute in developing herbal products. PITAHC is a government program set up in 1997 by the Department of Health (DOH) to accelerate the development of traditional and alternative health care in the country. Today, PITAHC manages four herbal processing plants in Cagayan, Leyte, Cotabato and Davao which are able to produce marketable herbal products, namely: lagundi tablet and syrup for cough and asthma, sambong tablet as anti-urolithiasis, tsaang gubat tablet as anti-colic or anti-spasmodic and herbal soaps from akapulko, cucumber, raddish, kamias, calamansi, guava, carrot and papaya. Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) presented the government roadmap for the development of science-based herbal products for health and wellness. He said that part of PCHRD™ drug discovery and development program includes the utilization of natural substances from terrestrial and marine sources that can be developed up to the pre-clinical stage for common infectious diseases and lifestyle-related disorders. Dr. Gemiliano D. Aligui, President of Asian Foundation for Tropical Medicine, Inc. discussed two existing administrative orders which refer to confidence and public trust on herbal products. The A.O 184 s2004 refers to guidelines on the registration of traditionally-used herbal products while A.O. 172 s2004 indicates guidelines on the registration of herbal medicines. The A.O 184 s2004 limits the folkloric use of herbal medicines because this law requires manufacturers to state in the label any of the following statements applicable: 1) The Traditional application/use of this product has not been evaluated by the Philippine Food & Drugs Administration if symptoms persist, consult your doctors, are not allowed for use in pregnant, lactating mothers, and children below 18 years old. On the other hand, the A.O. 172 s2004 establishes the clinical efficacy of herbal medicine because it subjects the manufacturer to report findings of the study from Galenical (Phase I) up to clinical trials (Phase III) of the herbal drugs prior to public use. It further states that herbal drugs should be validated by the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) of the PCHRD-DOST or other competent research centers accredited and approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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Identified Challenges Dr. Rainier B. Villanueva, Founding President of the Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines, Inc. reported the issues and challenges of the natural product industry from the perspective of industry and the private sector. According to him, the herbal industry is confronting the following challenges: (1) lack of scientific claims to support product claims; (2) outdated policies of FDA on product registration; (3) no standardization of natural ingredients; (4) unscrupulous businessmen taking advantage of the popularity of natural and organic products by making claims at the expense of the consumers; (5) lack of integrated, inter-agency programs by the government to strengthen the industry like what China, Malaysiaa and India are doing; (6) minimal implementation of good agricultural practices among the agriculture sector; (7) no clearing house or centralization of government-funded R&D studies; and (8) lack of laboratory dedicated to the natural product industry. Dr. Lourdes B. Cardenas, faculty member of the Plant Biology Division of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) tackled the issues relating to quality of raw materials for use in herbal products. According to her research, the following are needed to be subjected under quality control in order to address raw material and processing quality issues: (1) source material which refers to the correct variety, species, chemotype, ecotype, and part and stage development of the plant to be processed; (2) cultivation of the plant species; (3) post harvest handling; (4) storage (5) residues, heavy metals and microbial contamination; and (6) security of raw materials to radioactive isotopes. Ms. Irene M. Villaseñor, faculty member of the Institute of Chemistry of the University of the Philippines Diliman identified the following issues on establishing quality parameters for herbal products: (1) patent protection; (2) data on chemical identity, purity and consistency; (3) information related to absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drug metabolites; and (4) chemical standardization.

Proposed Solutions Stakeholders came up with the following possible interventions to address the identified challenges and improve existing initiatives: 1) partnership among research institutes and organizations to generate more scientific evidences to substantiate and validate claims of natural products and ingredients; 2) technology transfer for sustainable organic farming and propagation; 3) acquisition and use of appropriate equipment and machinery to boost industry capacities; 4) provision of assistance to institutions in attaining various certifications accepted and recognized by international market; 5) investments in the development of natural products and ingredients industries; 6) promotion and distribution of a Philippine products in the foreign market through collaboration between Filipino and Filipino-foreign entrepreneurs and businessmen; 7) capacity building for experts in the field of Medicinal Chemistry; and 8) establishment of centralized facilities for R&D studies.

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s r e l a e H o n i p i The Fil Dr. Kepweng M.D.

The Doctor is IN

In the hierarchy of healers and specialists in Philippine folk medicine, the albularyomay be referred to as the "general practitioner," knowledgeable in most of the folkloric modalities, usually especially versed in the use of medicinal herbs. The hilot ambiguously refers both to the manghihilot and magpapaanak. Themanghihilot specializes in techniques and treatments applicable to sprains, fractures and muskuloskeletal conditions. The magpapaanak, besides prenatal visits and delivering babies, often performs the suob ritual. Some healers limit their practice of folkloric therapies to more specialized modalities. The mangluluopspecializes in diagnostic techniques, usually referring the patients after diagnosis to the albularyo, medico, or manghihilot for definitive treatments. The medico is a further specialization, merging age-old folkloric modalities with ingredients of western medicine - 'prescription' medications, acupuncture, etc. Most of these healers consider their healing craft as God-given, a calling from a supernatural being, and consequently, their healing practices are profusely infused with prayers and religious rituals, performed through mediation with the Holy Spirit. Usually rural-based, they are also present in the urban and suburban communities, albeit in small scattered niches, serving burgis alternative needs, the impoverished or the urban-transplanted rural folk.

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The Albularyo In the rural areas, by tradition and because of chronic economic constraints, the albularyos are the general practitioners, the primary dispensers of health care. As with other healers, there is usually a history of a healer in the family-line, their healing a continuum of a "calling," the power or ability bestowed by a supernatural being, often, attributed to the Holy Spirit. Often lacking in formal education, his skills are based on and honed from hand-me-down practices and lore, with a long period of understudy or apprenticeship with a family elder or a local healer. Years of patience and study bring the healer into a familiarity with the lore, rituals and modalities of diagnosis and healing, the prayers, bulong and orasyon, and the use of herbal medicinal plants. Some acquire an expertise in the art of pulse taking and diagnosis.

Mang Ino, Albularyo: He used to hold weekday clinic hours in a corner of the basement parking area in a market/mall in the San Pablo, Laguna area. His sign translates: Look for Tata Ino if you need a massage for a painful body condition. I also treat fractures, dog bites, diabetes, stones, arthritis, heart problems, and many others. I also sell herbal medicines. Clinic hours are from 9 AM to 4 PM. I can also do housecalls if you pick me up from this basement.

The Hilot In the rural areas, a"hilot" ambiguously refers to both the midwife (magpapaanak) and the chiropractic practitioner (manghihilot, masahe). The Manghihilot In the alternative context, the hilot is a practitioner (or the practice) of the craft of 'chiropractic' manipulation and massage for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoligamentous and muskuloskeletal ailments. In contrast to its western counterpart, the hilot's chiropractic treatment is low on science, high on esotery. Usually, hilot is a specialization, but in isolated rural areas, many of the albularyos have a familiarity in the use of this modality. Most hilots, however, do not have any formal education or training. Other than a breech birth in some that is believed to destine or dispose one to this healing art, most rural hilots achieve their skills through an indigenous hand-me-down education. The chiropractic skill can be imparted to a few chosen villagers deemed by the medico or 'ermitanya' (high priestess) to possess such potential capabilities. These 'ordained' hilots are not versed in the practice of other forms of alternative therapies and their practice is limited only to bodily complaints amenable to chiropractic manipulations and massage. And while the albularyo's 'hilot' practices are aided by a whole bagful of indigenous tools (tawas, bulong, lunas, 'empowered' coconut oil, etc), the 'ordained' hilot's tools are meager: an amulet, an 'empowered' cane, or a nazarene-garb entrusted by the teacher and used during the healing sessions and a few diagnostic rituals. Source: http://www.stuartxchange.com/Albularyo.html 13

INSPIRING STORIES

Plants Saves Their Life The Meaty Midwesterner When now-55-year-old Randy Hale was a child in Madison Park, OK, he ate the meat-heavy diet for which the Midwest is well-known. “Everything circled around beef—maybe one day a week we’d have some other meat, like chicken or some pork,” Hale recalls. “In terms of vegetables, I really only grew up eating three, which were corn, fried potatoes, and beans.” Instead of an apple or banana, he would down a spoonful of crunchy sugar right out of the jar when the craving struck for something sweet. As he grew older, Hale saw virtually everyone around him developing similar health problems. “This lifestyle was just passed down from generation to generation,” he explains. “So growing up, I expected as I aged, I would hurt like they do, I would be on medications like they were. I would have an issue with “It’s not hard to convert from a meatdiabetes or some heart disease.” loving carnivore to a little friendlier vegan. Ten years ago, Hale experienced a self-fulfilling prophecy when he visitMy friends, they would think I’m the last ed the doctor and discovered that he had developed high blood presguy to become a vegan.” sure, unsafe cholesterol levels, and type 2 diabetes. Although he promised his doctor that he would make changes toward improving his health, he continued to indulge in a fatty, meat-heavy diet—until he talked to his friend, Steve Ryan, who “pestered [him] about how easy this diet was, this lifestyle change.” Ryan had experienced amazing results from going vegan, and encouraged Hale to do the same. When Hale picked up a copy of Neal Barnard, MD’s Program for Reversing Diabetes, he wasn’t sure what to expect, but he was willing to give it a shot. On the 13th day of the diet, Hale began experiencing remarkable changes. His blood sugar levels had returned to normal. Hale works on a national wildlife refuge, and when he got there that day, he hiked six miles and “felt unbelievable,” in his words. Hale recalls, “Before, I would never, ever have done that, because I was all bent out of shape and heavy [and had] pains in my joints and my ankle. My arthritis was bad from my waist down, my lower back—I would be miserable, whether I was active or not. But on the 13th day, my blood sugar dropped, my energy level skyrocketed, and I didn’t hurt, so that enabled me to get out and become active.” Astounded, Hale returned to his doctor on the 21stday of his vegan diet to find that he had already lost more than 14 pounds and no longer needed his diabetes medication. Hale has been vegan since August 2011, and in addition to losing 44 pounds himself, he has already helped more than 14 people adopt a plant-based diet. Before going vegan, Hale had never tried Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, beets, turnips, or sweet potatoes, all of which he now consumes voraciously. “It’s like there’s this big heavy dark curtain that was around me when I was growing up, and it limited my vision, so I couldn’t see myself being healthy or not being on medication or being active,” he describes. “[Now] I can see myself being healthy, living to be 95, and maybe being medication-free.” He’s also adamant in his belief that anyone can give up meat and dairy, laughing, “It’s not hard to convert from a meat-loving carnivore to a little friendlier vegan. My friends, they would think I’m the last guy to become a vegan.”

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The Leukemia Survivor In 1983, when she was 26 years old, Christina Pirello (then Hayes) was given a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia and told she had six to nine months to live. “I had just watched my mother die at 49 of colon cancer,” Pirello remembers, “and I knew I could not go through that.” It was her mother’s suffering with conventional medicine, followed by her ultimate and untimely demise, that caused a terrified Pirello to make the decision to not pursue allopathic treatment. Her doctor saw no hope, and neither did she. Around that time, a friend introduced her to a man who, according to Christina, “thought he might have advice that could help me save my life.” Robert Pirello—who would later become her husband—had been a long proponent and follower of a vegan macrobiotic diet, high in whole grains, lightly cooked vegetables, legumes, seaweed, healthy fats, and miso. “Robert ate this weird diet and said it could cure cancer. I was skeptical, obviously.” So were her doctors, who told her that regardless of what treatment she pursued, she should get her affairs in order. Christina had been vegetarian since she was 14, but ate a lot of processed foods, making sure they were “loaded with butter and cheese.” It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with cancer that she even considered the effect that dairy had on health, and, thanks to Robert’s guidance, understood the healing that can come with a balanced diet full of nutrient-rich foods. She also found a community in her town of Philadelphia, and started attending weekly dinners and lectures that focused on the benefits of a macrobiotic diet. To her astonishment, her body started to heal itself. “The vegan macrobiotic approach to eating changes the pH of your blood, creating an alkalized body and blood chemistry—as opposed to acidic, which we are when we are ill,” she explains. “By alkalizing the blood, you can alter the pH and create an atmosphere where your body can heal from any number of conditions.” This radical shift in her diet led to a radical recovery. “After about eight months of ups and downs, into remission and out, I stayed in remission, moved into what they called spontaneous regression, and after 14 months, was declared cancer-free.” Pirello’s transformation led her to study Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, pursue a Masters Degree in Nutrition, and eventually found The Christina Pirello School of Natural Cooking and Integrative Health Studies in Philadelphia. “Now I teach cooking all over the world,” Christina beams. “People want to be healthy. I am convinced they are just confused and lost in information overload. If I can just show them simple truths, proven by science, they can change.” These three survivors and countless others have literally saved their own lives with a plant-based diet. Want to know more about a vegan diet’s medical miracles? Check out a few of our favorite sites about healing through the power of a healthy eating regimen.

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