WALA LANG The building in BGC is different. Arthaland Century Pacific Tower’s lobby extends the length of the building from 5th to 4th Avenues along 30th Street. Glass walled on three sides, it was designed by the SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), the American architectural, urban planning, and structural engineering firm that also designed Burj Khalifa of Dubai, the world’s tallest building. I am told it is the first in the world to be cited for EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), having a zero carbon footprint with reduced energy and water use in operations and in construction. The building is even more unique for its garden in the sky, a glass-enclosed oasis in the concrete jungle with a view of the Sierra Madre and Laguna de Bay. Occupying almost half the building’s 31st floor, the sanctuary is the Garden of Simples, named so because it is planted with “simples” that I didn’t know means herbs with medicinal properties. The greenery is all useful—often as a poultice (mashed or pounded leaves) applied externally but mainly drunk as herbal tea. European monks planted monastery inner courts with such plants, a practice beautifully recreated in New York, in the inner courts of the Cloisters Museum at Manhattan’s northern tip. OASIS OF HERBS The unique and beautiful Garden of Simples at Bonifacio Global City. The tea plant (Camella sinensis) produces the traditional tea (oolong, jasmine, Earl Grey, tea bags, etc.) that is meticulously prepared and served in China, in Japan’s hours-long Tea Ceremony and elegantly enjoyed in England’s Afternoon and High Teas. Herbal tea refers to beverages made with other ingredients like chamomile flowers that you order to impress the hoi polloi at the next table. Our herbal tea tradition is focused on ginger tea, salabát, drunk when sick and after Simbang Gabi in December, although other countries also make tea with malunggay (moringa) leaves and stems. Arthaland describes our ancient practice, “Traditionally salabát is a shared experience. Large earthen clay pots are placed in the center of the community and everyone gathers around, talking and singing while the tea boils slowly over the fire. When ready it is served in clay cups to everyone present, each with the option to flavor their drink with a zesty calamansi syrup made with local sugar such as muscovado, coco sugar, brown sugar, or honey.” The BGC sky Garden of Simples grows some three dozen herbs, among which are the following: Akapulko – Freshly pounded leaves are used to treat ringworm and fungus. Affected areas can be washed with the water of boiled leaves. Ampalayá – Brewed into tea, its leaves relieve diabetes, cough, and intestinal problems. Pounding the leaves and applying the extracted juices are treat burns and skin diseases. Damóng maria – A drink made from leaves and flowering tops relieve coughing, aid digestion. When pounded, leaves are good for certain skin diseases and ulcers. Kangkóng – Apart from being nutritious and vitamin-rich, kangkóng leaves are good for the constipated. Lagundî – Its leaves, seeds, and fruits can be made into a tea that is a natural remedy for coughs, colds, and fevers. Leaves and seeds are good for wounds and roots aid digestion Langkawas – The root is a common aromatic in Indonesian and other Southeast Asian food. Locally, leaf decoctions are given for rheumatism. The roots are also used to treat stomach problems and can be applied topically for skin problems. Luyang diláw (turmeric) – A decoction of the root treats fever, stomachache, and arthritic inflammations. Mixed with some coconut oil, it helps digestion. Mansanilla – Made into tea, mansanilla flowers alleviate gas pains, treat stomachaches and are used as a wash for sore eyes and wounds. They are also made into massage oil. Oregano – Taken by the spoonful or as a tea infusion, the juice of oregano leaves alleviates cough, asthma, bronchitis, gas, dyspepsia, and rheumatism. Mashed fresh leaves can also be applied externally to burns. Pandán – Its leaves are often added when cooking rice to provide aroma. They also flavor sweets and drinks. Pandan oil can be extracted from the leaves and used for spasms, headaches, rheumatism, and sore throats. Pansít-pansitan – Brewed into an herbal tea or added to a salad, pansít-pansitan leaves and stems are good for arthritis and gout. Those with high uric acid are well advised to have the plant in their yard. Instructions: Place about two glasses worth of chopped leaves in a pot with four glasses of water. Boil uncovered over a low fire for 15 minutes, cool, and strain. Take a third of a glass three times a day, maybe after every meal. Sambóng - Roots and leaves can be made into a decoction for stomach pains, fever, and kidney stones. It is also a natural remedy for respiratory problems, such as sinusitis, asthmatic bronchitis, and influenza. A leaf poultice can be made to treat wounds and cuts, and even headaches. Siling labuyò – Its peppers are added to dishes and condiments. Its leaves are full of vitamins A and B and antioxidants. They flavor tinola, the Filipino favorite chicken soup. Leaves can also be used as a topical treatment for wounds, sores, gout, rheumatic pains, and other skin problems. Gargling a siling labuyò mouthwash soothes sore throat. Sulasi or balanoy – When brewed into herbal tea, holy basil (the plant’s foreign name) is effective against cough, bronchitis, and inflammations of mucus membranes.  A decoction can also be gargled to sweeten one’s breath. Extracted juices can be applied topically to soothe ringworm and other skin problems. Talinum – Both the leaves and roots of the talinum plant have medicinal properties.  The leaves can treat skin inflammation, scratches, and cuts. In addition, roots can be made into an herbal tea for arthritis, stomach inflammation, and pneumonia. Tanglád (lemon grass) – A cooking ingredient, leaves and roots are also natural remedies for digestion, diarrhea, and other stomach ailments when prepared as a tea. A decoction of the roots can be a mouthwash to sooth toothaches. Yerba Buena – Tops and leaves are used to treat flatulence, stomach aches, fever, dysmenorrhea, and diuresis. When pounded, the leaves can also be applied topically to insect stings, headaches, and toothaches. Comments are cordially invited, addressed to [email protected].