The Philippine Department of Health (DOH), through its Traditional Health Program, has officially endorsed ten medicinal plants that have been studied and found effective for specific uses.

Quick Scoop: DOH‑Approved Herbs

Below are the ten commonly cited medicinal plants endorsed by the Philippine DOH (via DOH–PITAHC and health education materials). Always remember: these are for mild conditions and do not replace professional medical care.

1. Lagundi (Vitex negundo)

  • Common use: Cough, asthma, bronchitis, colds, and fever relief.
  • Usual form: Decoction or syrup made from leaves.
  • Idea in practice: A parent may give lagundi syrup for a child’s uncomplicated cough, while still watching for danger signs like difficulty breathing.

2. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)

  • Common use: Diuretic for edema, supportive care for hypertension, helps manage kidney stones and urinary tract issues.
  • Usual form: Leaf decoction or tablet.

3. Akapulko (Senna alata)

  • Common use: Fungal skin infections such as ringworm, “an-an,” and some eczema cases.
  • Usual form: Ointment or directly prepared leaf paste for external use only.

4. Niyog‑niyogan (Quisqualis indica)

  • Common use: Intestinal worms (anthelmintic), especially in children, plus leaf use for headaches.
  • Usual form: Chewed and swallowed seeds with specific dosing guidelines.

5. Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa / Ehretia microphylla)

  • Common use: Stomachache, diarrhea, colic; sometimes for general gastrointestinal discomfort.
  • Usual form: Tea from leaves.

6. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) – Bitter melon

  • Common use: Support for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes (adjunct only), also used as food.
  • Usual form: Leaf or fruit preparations, teas, capsules, or simply eaten as a vegetable.

7. Ulasimang Bato / Pansit‑pansitan (Peperomia pellucida)

  • Common use: Gout and rheumatic pain due to its analgesic and anti‑inflammatory properties.
  • Usual form: Eaten as salad or used as infusion/decoction.

8. Bawang (Allium sativum) – Garlic

  • Common use: Helps in managing mild hypertension; has cholesterol‑modulating and antimicrobial properties.
  • Usual form: Fresh clove, oil, or capsule preparations.

9. Bayabas (Psidium guajava) – Guava

  • Common use: Mouthwash or wash for wounds due to antiseptic properties; fruit also used for diarrhea.
  • Usual form: Decoction from leaves for gargling or washing.

10. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium / Mentha species, local “peppermint”)

  • Common use: Pain reliever for headaches and body pains; also for cough, colds, nausea, and dizziness.
  • Usual form: Tea from leaves or as a liniment oil.

Mini Table: 10 DOH‑Endorsed Herbs (HTML)

[1][5][3] [5][3] [3][5] [5][3] [3][5] [5][3] [3][5] [5][3] [3][5] [5][3]
Herb (Local Name) Scientific Name Typical Main Uses
Lagundi Vitex negundo Cough, asthma, colds, fever
Sambong Blumea balsamifera Diuretic, kidney stones, edema
Akapulko Senna alata Fungal skin infections (ringworm, etc.)
Niyog-niyogan Quisqualis indica Intestinal worms, headache relief
Tsaang gubat Carmona retusa / Ehretia microphylla Stomachache, diarrhea, GI discomfort
Ampalaya Momordica charantia Adjunct for blood sugar control in diabetes
Ulasimang bato / Pansit- pansitan Peperomia pellucida Gout and rheumatic pain relief
Bawang Allium sativum Mild hypertension support, antimicrobial
Bayabas Psidium guajava Antiseptic mouthwash and wound wash, diarrhea
Yerba buena Clinopodium/Mentha species Pain relief, cough, colds, nausea, dizziness

A Quick Story‑Style Example

Imagine a rural barangay health center where modern medicines sometimes run low. A mother brings in her child with a mild, non‑complicated cough and no fever or breathing difficulty. The nurse might advise a lagundi syrup, explain the proper dose, and remind her: “If he starts breathing fast or develops high fever, come back or go straight to the hospital.” In the same day, an elderly man with mild joint pains might be taught how to prepare ulasimang bato salad as an adjunct to his prescribed medicines, never as a replacement.

Safety Notes and Multiple Viewpoints

  • These plants are endorsed , but that does not mean they are cure‑alls or risk‑free.
  • Dosing, preparation, and indications should follow DOH or qualified‑provider guidance.
  • Some doctors embrace these herbs as low‑cost adjuncts; others are more cautious, pointing to limited large‑scale trials and possible interactions with conventional drugs.
  • For serious symptoms (chest pain, severe infection, uncontrolled blood sugar, breathing difficulty, persistent high fever), you should seek urgent medical care rather than relying on herbs alone.

SEO Bits (Meta Description)

Meta description (example):
Medicinal guide to what are the herbs approved by the Department of Health in the Philippines, including their uses, safety notes, and practical examples, based on latest public information.

Bottom note (as requested):
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.