Group 3 | The Herbal Garden: Herbalism in your Backyard

The Herbal Garden:

Herbalism in your Backyard

by Alberto, Gabuya, Jubas, Lacamento, Leonida, Magdato, Orbuda, Pangilinan

According to William Osler, "Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability." Herbal medicine, over the years, is a living testament to that.

In many parts of the world, including the Philippines, herbal medicine is practiced. It remains widely popular due to its large availability, cultural significance, and the people's growing preference for natural products. In this blog, we will explore and feature the benefits of herbal medicines commonly found in a typical local Filipino backyard such as laurel (bay leaf), serpentina (Indian snakeroot), sambong, pansit-pansitan, tawa-tawa, and papaya leaves, as well as share some personal experiences and medicinal recipes which can be prepared at home.

Laurel

Figure 1. Laurel plant highlighting its leaves (“laurel,” 2021).

Marj's family uses both the leaves and the roots of laurel as herbal medicine for various complications. Drinking around 50 mL of decoction daily from boiling the plant parts resulted in relief as it effectively decreased the blood sugar of their diabetic relatives. It also did not result in any significant complications that may be a root cause of additional burden financially, physically, and mentally.

According to studies, everyday intake of laurel can reduce the risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases as it ameliorates insulin levels and total cholesterol and triglycerides (Khan, Zaman, & Anderson, 2009). Furthermore, the plant is also utilized in other pharmaceutical products (Batool, Khera, Hanif, & Ayub, 2020).

Figure 2. Other information about laurel.

     

                This is a short clip showing actual Laurel plant and some of its images (Ai-Yang Miole, 2019).

Serpentina

        Indian Snakeroot (Rauwolfia serpentina) is famous for its anti-hypertensive activity. Myna's 74-year-old aunt with high blood pressure occasionally drinks serpentina tea before sleeping whenever she feels unwell. She shared that its characteristic bitter taste is worth enduring because of its delivered relief to her health. The different studies and clinical trials reviewed by Lobay (2015) reported that drugs derived from R. serpentina lower systolic and diastolic pressure in patients with essential hypertension, validating the results her aunt experienced.

Figure 3. The serpentina plant (“Serpentina (Rauwolfia serpentina) plant,” 2020).

Figure 4. Steps in preparing serpentina tea at home (Healing Galing Montalban, 2020).

Additionally, mild to severe adverse effects may occur depending on the dosage and frequency of intake. The most common is nasal congestion, Parkinson-like symptoms, and convulsions may manifest due to large doses. Interaction with certain drugs like propranolol decreases blood pressure, leading to hypotension due to their similar behavior (“Indian Snakeroot,” 2021). “Large doses” may be ambiguous as it is dependent on factors related to the patient and the drug components. Hence, further investigation regarding dosage standardization and consultation with a health professional before intake is recommended to promote safety.

This video presented testimonies and medical advice regarding the use and effectiveness of serpentina in addressing other illnesses apart from hypertension.

Sambong

Figure 5. Sambong plant (“Sambong”, 2015).

       Blumea balsamifera, locally known as sambong, is one of the DOH-approved alternative herbal treatments for various diseases, such as renal issues, colds and coughs, cuts and infected wounds, diarrhea, etc. Due to the plant's pharmacological activities, which could be attributed to the presence of flavonoids (Widhiantara & Jawi, 2021), it is frequently utilized in curing colds and coughs among younger individuals. Whenever Jashka had difficulty breathing due to cough and colds, a decoction of sambong leaves is often prepared to be consumed as tea. Subsequently, immediate relief can be observed after taking it. It is probably due to the expectorant properties of the plant, which aids in the breakdown of the mucus and phlegm that obstructs one's breathing (Seward, 2019).

Figure 6. Biological activities and ways to prepare sambong treatments.

                To know more about Sambong's health benefits, you may check this video.

Pansit-pansitan

Figure 7. Pansit-pansitan (Garge, 2021).

        Whenever Shayne has difficulties urinating due to infection or kidney stones, a decoction of herbal medicine they natively refer as ‘sinaw-sinaw’ is immediately prepared. Commonly, it is known as pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida), one of the ten scientifically investigated medicinal plants approved by the DOH. Small dot-like flowers are diffused along solitary stalks, and the leaves springing from translucent stamps appear in heart shapes (Medical Health Guide, n.d.). Filipinos have been using pansit-pansitan as a diuretic when kidney stones form due to high levels of uric acid (Vinas, 2021). The infection causes pain in the lower abdomen and can block the urinary tract finding it hard to excrete urine. Additional medicinal benefits include anti-arthritic, analgesic, anti-oxidant, and depressant (Balangat, 2019).

Figure 8. Pansit-pansitan tea homemade recipe.

Tawa-tawa

Figure 9. Tawa-tawa plant (Ureta, 2018).

Tawa-tawa, also known as Euphorbia hirta, is one of the popular medicinal plants in the Philippines used to treat dengue. It is widely known for its ability to increase the platelet count of dengue patients. A scientific article conducted by Perera, Jayawardena, & Jayasinghe (2018) noted that tawa-tawa effectively increases dengue patients' platelet counts. Additionally, around 70% of the patients subjected to tawa-tawa treatment had their flu-like symptoms reduced (Perera, Jayawardena, & Jayasinghe, 2018).When Peter was inflicted with dengue fever, he also experienced dangerously low levels of platelet count. He was then asked to drink the tawa-tawa tea his mother made to improve his conditions, and surely enough, his platelet count increased the following day.

Figure 10. Tawa-tawa tea recipe.

Papaya Leaves

Figure 11. Papaya (Hill, 2020).

        Papaya is one of the most abundant plants here in the Philippines, and it can be found in every region. The leaves of this plant are rich in enzymes such as papain and chymopapain that are essential in digestion, and it is also abundant in vitamins A, C, E, K, and B (Times of India, 2021). Here in the province, papaya leaves are processed into juice and are given to people suffering from dengue to help replenish their platelet count. The phytochemical acetogenin is the active component in papaya leaves that boosts thrombopoiesis and erythropoiesis, which produces the needed blood cells to replace the ones affected by the dengue virus (Dharmarathna et al., 2013).

Figure 12. Papaya leaf juice recipe.

The Bottom Line

Although widely practiced in some homes, there is an existing and rising skepticism about using herbal medicines, especially homemade ones. However, this is warranted as this positively signifies that people are more critical of what they consume.

Nonetheless, the promise herbal medicines hold as an alternative route is still undeniable. With the increasing evidence-based materials about its effectiveness, matched with factors such as cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and being “natural,” – there is a higher incentive for home practice. The plants featured here are just some of the many choices that exhibit excellent health benefits. However, it is imperative to anyone who tries these to observe safety, sanitation, potency, and quality when exploring herbalism in the care of one’s home – and backyard.

Did you find this article helpful? Share your own herbal medicine experience – whether good or bad – in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you!

References

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Dharmarathna, S. L. C. A., Wickramasinghe, S., Waduge, R. N., Rajapakse, R. P. V. J., & Kularatne, S. A. M. (2013, September). Does Carica papaya leaf-extract increase the platelet count? An experimental study in a murine model. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. Retrieved November 09, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3757281/.

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