INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS AND PRACTICES IN BANAYOYO, ILOCOS SUR

 Medicinal plants are an important part of our natural wealth. They serve as important therapeutic agents as well as valuable raw materials for manufacturing numerous traditional and modern medicines.A documentation of these indigenous medicinal plants in Banayoyo will provide baseline information for the medicinal utilization of these resources for the greatest benefit of mankind particularly in curing ailments and preventing the occurrence of such ailments. Likewise, this will serve as a basis for protection and conservation of natural resources especially of these indigenous medicinal plants.

ABUKADO

Persea Americana Mill

Common Name: Abukado

Family name: Lauraceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Rheumatism

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash. Simmer one cup chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for five minutes.

Dosage: Drink decoction every time symptoms appear.

ANDADASI

Cassia alata L.

Common Name: Andadasi

Family name: Leguminosae

Plant Type: Shrub

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Skin itchiness

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash, crush leaves and extract the juice.

Dosage: Apply the extract on the affected area until itchiness is relieved.

ANONAS

Anona reticulata Linn

Common Name: Anonas

Family name: Annonaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Fever

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash, dry and put leaves on the forehead.

ATIS

Anona squamosa L. 

Common Name: Atis

Family name: Annonaceae

Plant Type: Tree/shrub

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Fever

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil three (3) cups of chopped fresh leaves in one (1) gallon of water for fifteen (15) minutes. Srain and use the decoction for cold or hot sponge bath.

ATSUETE

Bixa orellana Linn

Common Name: Atseuete

Family name: Bixaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Burns

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash. Simmer ten leaves in five glasses of water. Let it cool.

Dosage: Soak the burn area for ten minutes once a day.

BALETE

Ficus stipulosa Miq. Linn

Common Name: Balete

Family name: Moraceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Bark

Diseases/Ailments cured: Dermatitis

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil one cup of chopped bark in ½ gallon of water for ten (10) minutes.

Dosage: Wash area with this decoction, two (2) times a day.

BANABA

Lagerstroemia speciose (L.) Rers

Common Name: Banaba

Family name: Lythraceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Kidney stone

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash. Simmer ten (10) leaves in ten (10) glasses of water.

Dosage: Drink 2 glasses of the decoction a day.

BARANIW

Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf.

Common Name:  Baraniw

Family name: Graminaceae

Plant Type: Grass

Plant part/s used: Leaves/Roots

Diseases/Ailments cured: Urinary Tract Infection

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash. Simmer one (1) cup chopped leaves in two (2) glasses of water for fifteen (15) minutes.

Dosage: Drink decoction one (1) glass every day.

BARINATNAT

Jatropa gossipi folia L.

Common Name:  Barinatnat/Tawwa-tawwa

Family name: Euphorbiaceae

Plant Type: Shrub

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Snake and dog bite

Mode of preparation and application:

Pound ten (10) leaves.

Dosage: Apply directly on the wound after it has been bled.

BAWANG

Allium sativum Linn.

Common Name: Bawang

Family name: Amaryllidaceae

Plant Type: Bulbous

Plant part/s used: Cloves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Sore throat

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash one (1) piece and peel.

Dosage: keep in mouth for some time, chewing it slow. Swallow juice.

Diseases/Ailments cured: Skin itchiness

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash one (1) clove, peel and crush. Apply directly on affected area.

BAYABAS

Psidium guajava L.

Common Name: Bayabas

Family name: Myrtaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Young leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Wound

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash and pound young leaves and apply directly on wound

Diseases/Ailments cured: Diarrhea              

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil ten (10) chopped leaves in two (2) glasses of water for fifteen (15) minutes.

Dosage:

Adults: One (1) cup, three (3) times a day and after every loose bowel movement

Children: (Babies) 1 tablespoon, three (3) times a day and after every loose bowel movement

(2-6 years old) one-fourth (¼ ) , three (3) times a day and after every loose bowel movement

(7-12 years old) one-half  (½) cup, three (3) times a day and after every loose bowel movement

BUA

Arecha catechu L.

Common Name: Bua

Family name: Palmoe/ Aecacea

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Fruit

Diseases/Ailments cured: Stomachache

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash and chew fruit. Swallow the extract.

BUGBUGAY-YONG

Abrus precatorius L.

Common Name: Bugbugay-yong

Family name: Fabaceace/ Leguminosae

Plant Type: Vine

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Cough

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash. Boil one (1) cup of chopped fresh leaves in three (3) glasses of water.

Dosage: Drink decoction three (3) times a day after meal.

DANGLA

Vitex negundo L.

Common Name: Dangla

Family name: Verbenaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Cough

Mode of preparation and application:

Simmer four (4) tablespoon of chopped dried leaves or six (6) tablespoon of fresh leaves in two (2) glasses of water for fifteen (15) minutes.

Dosage: Drink one-half (½) cup the decoction, three (3) times a day.

DARA-DARA

Plecthranthus scutellarioides (coleus)

Common Name: Dara-dara

Family name: Lamiaceae

Plant Type: Shrub

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Dysmenorrhea

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil five (5) leaves in two (2) cups of water.

Dosage: Drink decoction during menstruation.

ERBAKA

Scoparia dulais L.

Common Name: Erbaka

Family name: Schophulariaceae

Plant Type: Shrub

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Dysmenorrhea 

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil five (5) leaves in two (2) cups of water.

Dosage: Drink decoction during menstruation.

GAWWED

Piper betle L.

Common Name: Gawwed

Family name: Piperaceae

Plant Type: Vine

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Headache

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash. Place one (1) leaf on the forehead. Change the leaf as per headache.

GUMAMELA

Hibiscus rosasineusis Linn.

Common Name: Gumamela

Family name: Malvaceae

Plant Type: Tree/ shrub

Plant part/s used: Leaves/ flowers

Diseases/Ailments cured: Boils

Mode of preparation and application:

Chop five (5) leaves and two (2) flowers

Dosage: Apply directly on boils as poultice, two (2) times a day.

GUYABANO

Annona muricata L.

Common Name: Guyabano

Family name: Annonaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Urinary tract infection

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash and simmer one (1) cup of chopped leaves for fifteen (15) minutes.

Dosage: Drink one (1) glass of the decoction every after meal until symptom disappear.

IPIL-IPIL

Leucaena glauca L.

Common Name: Ipil-ipil

Family name: Fabaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Seeds

Diseases/Ailments cured: Intestinal worm infestation (Ascaris and Trichina)

Mode of preparation and application:

For children: Eat the seeds of five (5) fresh pads raw. Repeat after one (1) week, if there are no results.

For children and adults: Cook one (1) cup of dried seeds in frying pan with oil. Do not burn seeds. Pulverize. Mix with milk or water.

Dosage: Adults: One (1) teaspoon, 2 hours after supper.

Children: (7-9 years old) one-fourth (¼ ) teaspoon, two (2) hours after supper.

          (10-12 years old) One-half (½), two (2) hours after supper.

Note:  Dosage may be repeated after one (1) week if needed.

KALAMANSI

Citrus microcarpa Bunge

Common Name: Kalamansi

Family name: Rutaceae

Plant Type: Tree/Shrub

Plant part/s used: Fruit

Diseases/Ailments cured: Cough

Mode of preparation and application:

Extract juice from the fruits.

Dosage: Drink two (2) tablespoon of fruit juice every after meal.

KAMANTIRIS

Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.

Common Name: Kamantiris

Family name: Fabaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Fruit

Diseases/Ailments cured: Diabetes

Mode of preparation and application:

Eat fruit after every meal.

KAMIAS

Averrhoa balimbi

Common Name: Kamias

Family name: Fabaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Fruit

Diseases/Ailments cured: Mumps

Mode of preparation and application:

Chop and mash fruits.

Dosage: Apply as poultice on the swollen glands for thirty (30) minutes, three (3) times a day.

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Dengue/Fever

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil three (3) cups of chopped fresh leaves in one (1) gallon of water for fifteen (15) minutes. Srain and use the decoction for cold or hot sponge bath.

KANGKONG

Ipomea aquatic Toursk

Common Name: Kangkong

Family name: Convolvulaceae

Plant Type: Semi-aquatic plant

Plant part/s used: Leaves and trunks

Diseases/Ailments cured: Constipation

Mode of preparation and application:

Eat two (2) cups of boiled leaves with meals. This may be as a part of the diet.

KAYMITO

Chrysophyllum cainito L.

Common Name: Kaymito

Family name: Sapotaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Diarrhea

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil ten (10) chopped leaves in two (2) glasses of water for fifteen (15) minutes.

Dosage:

Adults: One (1) cup, three (3) times a day and after every loose bowel movement

Children: (Babies) 1 tablespoon, three (3) times a day and after every loose bowel movement

(2-6 years old) one-fourth (¼ ) , three (3) times a day and after every loose bowel movement

(7-12 years old) one-half  (½) cup, three (3) times a day and after every loose bowel movement.

KURIBETBET

Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Lam

Common Name: Kuribetbet

Family name: Apocymaceae

Plant Type: Shrub

Plant part/s used: Leaves/trunk sap

Diseases/Ailments cured: Toothache/wound

Mode of preparation and application:

Chop trunk or leave and extract the sap. Drop a few drops directly on the wound or tooth cavity.

LAYA

Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Common Name: Laya

Family name: Zingiberacea

Plant Type:

Plant part/s used: Rhizome

Diseases/Ailments cured: Sore throat

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash and peel small piece of the rhizome.

Chew slowly for a few minutes. Swallow the juice or keep a small pice in the mouth. Chewing it little by little.

LONGBOY

Syzygium cumini (L.)

Common Name: Longboy

Family name: Myrtaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Fruit

Diseases/Ailments cured: Diabetes

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash and peel the fruit and eat every after meal.

Diseases/Ailments cured: Stomach ache

Mode of preparation and application:

Simmer a piece of chopped bark in two (2) glasses of water in fifteen (15) minutes.

Dosage: Drink one (1) glass of the decoction every after meal.

MANSANILYA

Chrysanthemum indicum L.

Common Name: Mansanilya

Family name: Asteraceae/ Compositae

Plant Type: Herb

Plant part/s used: Leaves
Diseases/Ailments cured: Stomach ache

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash and simmer one (1) cup of chopped leaves to two (2) glasses of water. Cool and drink decoction.

MALUNGGAY

Moringa oleifera Lam.

Common Name: Malunggay

Family name: Morigaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Seed

Diseases/Ailments cured: High blood pressure

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash and simmer the seeds of two (2) fresh pads to three (3) glasses of water.

Dosage: Drink decoction if symptom appears.

OREGANO

Plectranthus amboinicus

Common Name: Oregano

Family name: Lamiaceae

Plant Type: Herb

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Cough

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil one (1) cup of chopped fresh leaves to two (2) glasses of water for fifteen (15) minutes.

Dosage: Adults: One-half (½), three (3) times a day.

Children: (Babies) One (1) teaspoon, three (3) times a day.

(2-6 years old) two (2) tablespoons, three (3) times a day.

 (7-12 years old) one-fourth (¼) cup, three (3) times a day.

PANDAN

Pandamus amaryllifolius

Common Name: Pandan

Family name: Pandanaceae

Plant Type: Herb

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured/Medical importance: Improves flow of urination

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash and simmer one (1) cup chopped leaves to three (3) cups of water.

Drink one (1) cup of the decoction every day.

PAPAYA

Carica papaya

Common Name: Papaya

Family name: Caricaceae

Plant Type: Tree-like

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Fever

Mode of preparation and application:

Boil two (2) cups of chopped leaves in one-half (½) gallon of water for ten (10) minutes. Cool for two (2) hours.  

Dosage: Use this in making a cold compress

SABA

Musa acuminate Colla

Common Name: Saba

Family name: Musaceae

Plant Type: Evergreen perennial

Plant part/s used: Young leaves sap

Diseases/Ailments cured: Bleeding wound

Mode of preparation and application:

Pound young leaves until soft and juicy.

Dosage: Drop the juice over the wound. Apply with pressure the pounded leaves over the wound. Bandage snugly but not too tight.

SANTOL

Sandoricum koetjape (Burm.f.) Merr.

Common Name: Santol

Family name: Meliaceae

Plant Type: Tree

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Stomach ache 

Mode of preparation and application:

Wash. Simmer one (1) cup of chopped leaves to one-half (½) gallons of water for fifteen (15) minutes. Strain and cool. Drink decoction.

SAMBONG

Blumea balsamifera (L.)

Common Name: Subusob/ Sambong

Family name: Asteraceae/ Compositae

Plant Type: Shrub

Plant part/s used: Leaves

Diseases/Ailments cured: Boils

Mode of preparation and application:

Chop five (5) leaves.

Dosage: Apply directly as poultice on boils, two (2) times a day.