Herbal Medicine in the philippines

Herbal medicine in the Philippines is an attractive option to its inhabitants. Why?

Medicines in the Philippines is costly; the cost is actually amongst the highest in the world. A study showed that it takes 6 days in wages for a worker on an average salary to buy basic medicines. This is why herbs such as banaba and herbal medicine in the Philippines in general is an attractive proposition for many.

In the Philippines the designated philippine herbal medicine expert is called "albularyo" is usually recognized by townfolk. An albularyo is linked with mystical incantations and spirits.

In Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, the provincial herbal medicine project has been revived. Gov. Emilio C. Macias II told the PAO (Provincial Agriculture Office) to restart it. It was implemented first between 1988 and 1998. It was one of the projects which are community based that the provincial government introduced.

This project is going to be implemented in 96 BADS (Barangay Agricultural Development Centers) all over the province. Governor Macias has said that he is confident that he could show the residents of the barangays how to make herbal medicines.

Chief Edwin Valencia of the province's SWMD, (Solid and Watershed Management Division) and his staff are collecting fourteen species of herbal plants that have been approved and recommended by the BFAD (Bureau of Food and Drugs).

These fourteen herbal plants are

1. Ahos (for insect bites,headache)
2. Akapulko (tinea flava, skin diseases)
3. Ampalaya (diabetes/non-insulin dependent)
4. Bayabas (wound cuts, diarrhea, toothache, wound cleansing)
5. Dalapot (headache,arthritis)
6. kalamansi (sore throat, fainting, coughing)
7. kalatsutsi (scabies, arthritis)
8. Lagundi (fever, wounds, headache);
9. Ginger (pharyngitis, sore throat)
10. Niyog-niyogan (deworming, ascaris)
11. Sambag (wounds/cuts, fever)
12. Sinaw-sinaw (reduction of uric acid)
13. tsaang-gubat (abdominal pain)
14. yerba Buena (arthritis, toothache, headache).

Some of these are on a list of ten herbs approved by the DOH. The Filipino herbal products industry is thought to be worth two million dollars per year.

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