Top 10 Herbal Plants

PHARMACOLOGY
Lab

Dr Leo Emmanuel Bunag

TSAANG GUBAT
Ehretia microphylla; Wild Tea

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Medication taken as tea to treat skin
allergies, including eczema, scabies,
itchiness, and wounds in childbirth
It is also effective in treating intestinal
motility and also used as a mouth wash
since the leaves of this shrub has high
fluoride content
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Study of tsaang gubat leaves showed a
mixture of triterpenes: a-amyrin, -amyrin
and baurenol and which accounts for its
wide activity, especially in its antidiarrheal effect
It also prevents release of histamine from
mast cells, which help counteract allergic
reactions

ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Tsaang Gubat use is generally considered
safe
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not
enough is known about the use of
tsaang gubat during pregnancy and
breast-feeding, so pregnant and
lactating mothers should refrain
from drinking it
SAMBONG
Blumea balsamifera; Blumea camphor or
Ngai camphor

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
It is an anti-urolithiasis and work as a
diuretic
It functions as an astringent and as an
expectorant, and has been found to have
anti-diarrhea and anti-spasm effects
As an astringent, preparations made of
sambong leaves may be used for wounds
and cuts
The National Kidney and Transplant
Institute has promoted the use of this
herbal medicine for many renal patients to
avert or delay the need for dialysis or
organ transplantation
MECHANISM OF ACTION
The active ingredients exist in the volatile
oil, made from the leaves of the sambong,
which have mostly camphor and limonene,

but also has traces of borneol, saponin,

sesquiterpene, and tannin
The camphor in sambong is what
typically causes diuresis by increasing
the amount of fluid excretion from
the body

ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Sambong use is generally considered safe
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not
enough is known about the use of
sambong during pregnancy and
breast-feeding, so pregnant and
lactating mothers should refrain
from drinking it
Sambong can cause allergic reaction for
some people. Side effects may include
itching and skin irritation.
BAYABAS
Psidium guajava; Guava

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Antiseptic, astringent & anthelminthic
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-spasmodic
Antioxidant
Anti-plasmodial
Anti-cough
Antidiabetic
Antigenotxic
Used to treat diarrhea and toothaches
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Anti-diarrhea, antiseptic
o Antibacterial
property
inhibits
microbial growth (e.g. Staph aureus
which is a common cause of
diarrhea) and removes extra mucus
from the intestines
o Fiber content promotes digestion
and proper excretion
Treatment of cough and colds
o Guava is rich in Vit. C and iron
which are prevemtive against
cough and colds
Anti-diabetes
o Rich fiber content helps regulate
sugar levels and low glycemic
index of guava inhibits sudden
spike in sugar levels

ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Adverse Reactions
Constipation

LAGUNDI
Vitex negundo; 5-leaved chaste free

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
analgesic
relief of asthma and pharyngitis
relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils,
diarrhea
treatment of coughs, colds, fever, flu and
other bronchopulmonary disoreders
removal of worms and boils
alleviate symptoms of chicken pox
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Anti-asthma and cough
o Inhibition of leukotriene production
which leads to bronchodilation
Analgesic
o Anti-inflammatory
and
pain
suppressing activities mediated
through PG synthesis inhibition,
antihistamine,
membrane
stabilizing
and
antioxidant
activities

ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,

CONTRAINDICATIONS
moderate use is recommended for
pregnant women and treatment should
not exceed one week
BAWANG
Allium sativum; Garlic

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
It mainly reduces cholesterol in the
blood and hence, helps control blood
pressure
Other effects:
o Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiparasitic
o Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
o Anti-cancer

MECHANISM OF ACTION
Reduction of serum cholesterol level
Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by
deactivating HMG-CoA reductase via
enhanced phosphorylation
Anti-hypertensive effects
In the presence of BH4, eNOS produces
Nitric oxide, which triggers pathways
leading to smooth muscle cell relaxation
which leads to vasodilation and BP
reduction.

ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,

CONTRAINDICATIONS
halitosis, indigestion, nausea, emesis and
diarrhea
burning of the mouth, throat, and stomach
sweating, lightheadedness
eczema or a rash
Overproduction
of
nitric
oxide:
angiogenesis, mitochondrial dysfunction
and heart failure
Precautions:
Causes allergic reactions
Increase the risk of bleeding problems
(blood thinner)
may interact with warfarin, antiplatelets,
saquinavir, antihypertensives, calcium
channel blockers, hypoglycemic drugs, as
well as other medications
NIYOG-NIYOGAN
Quisqualis indica; Chinese honey suckle

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Eliminate intestinal worms including
Ascaris and Trichina (dried mature seeds)
Treatment for:
o Inflammation of kidneys
o Boils and skin ulcer
o Diarrhea and fever
o Dysuria
o Anti-cancer

MECHANISM OF ACTION
Anti-parasitic effect
The seeds contain L-quisqualic acid which
causes paralysis of the anterior part if the
worm where the CNS is located while
stimulating the part of the posterior part
It deprives coordinating impulse coming
from central nerve ring which causes the
worm not to maintain its position on the
host gut and can be expelled by giving
purgatives.
ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Hiccups
Diarrhea and Abdominal Pain
Precautions:
Allergic skin reactions
Painful swelling of ankles
Increase body temperature
AKAPULKO
Cassia alata

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Precautions &Contraindications
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Diabetes and Antidiarrheal Drugs

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
For skin diseases
Specifically Tinea infections, insect bites,
ringworms, eczema, scabies & itchiness.
Akapulko leaves are squeezed to juices
and juice is applied to skin BID.
For stomach problems
Specifically as laxative to expel intestinal
parasites, diuretic & purgative.
May be abortifacient if used in increased
amount.
For Lung and Mouth problem
Specifically
for
bronchitis,
dyspnea,
mouthwash for stomatitis, and for asthma.
*Philippine Set up
Approved by Philippine Health, Research &
Development to be used for lotion
preparation.

MECHANISM OF ACTION
It contains chrysophanic
acid, a
fungicide used to treat fungal infections,
scabies and eczema.
Also contains saponins, a laxative used in
expelling intestinal parasites.

ADVERSE EFFECTs, PRECAUTIONS,

CONTRAINDICATIONS
A strong decoction of Akapulko leaves is
an
abortifacient.
Pregnant
women
should not take decoction of the leaves or
any part of this plant.

AMPALAYA
Momordica charantia

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Ampalaya has been a folkloric cure for
generations but has now been proven to
be an effective herbal medicine for many
aliments. Most significant of which is for
Diabetes.
Other Uses:
o Hemorrhoids
o Stomach Problems
o Cough
o Burns, Scalds and Wounds
o Anti-Cancer
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Ampalaya
contains
a
mixture
of
flavanoids and alkaloids make the
pancreas produce more insulin that
controls the blood sugar in diabetics.
ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,
CONTRAINDICATIONS

YERBA BUENA
Clinopodium douglasii

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Commonly known as Peppermint, is used
in Philippine herbal medicine as analgesic
to relive body aches and pain due to
rheumatism and gout. It is also used to
treat coughs, colds and insect bites
Yerba Buena is more commonly used as a
spice for cooking due to its minty flavour.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Plant yields a volatile oil (0.22%)
containing pulegone, menthol, menthene,
menthenone and limonene, with menthol
having the highest component if the
volatile oils. Menthol provides potent
analgesic action and is used externally in
rheumatism, neuralgia and headaches.

ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Although studies have shown that Yerba
Buena does not contain any toxic
ingredient that may harm the body,
caution is advised for pregnant women for
excessive intake. There is no sufficient
studies made relating to Yerba Buena and
pregnancy.

PANSIT-PANSITAN
Peperomia pellucida

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Pansit-pansitan or Ulasimang Bato is a
Phillipine herbal medicine known for its
effectivity in treating arthritis and gout.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Pansit-pansitan
contains
tannins,
flavonoids, triterpenoids and steroids
which contribute to its effectivity against
inflammation, seen in arthritis and gout.
ADVERSE EFFECTS, PRECAUTIONS,
CONTRAINDICATIONS

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Eating bitter melon or taking bitter melon

supplements could cause headaches and
gastrointestinal
symptoms
such
as
diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting and
nausea, especially if you take large
amounts.
Bitter melon can also cause irregular
heartbeat, headache, decreased fertility,
muscle weakness and drooling.

Pansit-pansitan use has no reported side

effects. In a study done on Pansit-pansitan
extract overdose in mice, it was
suggestive of a moderately wide margin of
safety of the plant

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