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Manila Bulletin devider devider Going Natural

Going Natural

Published Jan 6, 2018 04:05 pm

By Dr. Kaycee Reyes

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Taking herbs and medicinal plants in the Philippines are more popular than ever before. It seems that there’s a supplement that promises to help cure almost everything, from poor eyesight to cancer. But is it all that it’s cracked up to be.

Back in the ’70s, physicians in private practice took training in acupuncture in China, and physicians from the country’s Department of Health (DOH) followed suit, marking the start the production of herbal medicine production in the Philippines. But if think about it, or look into our history as a people, Filipinos have largely been known to turn to plants to cure our ailments, from cuts to kulam (remember your lola’s stories about their local arbularyo?)

Indeed, the Philippines is rich in medicinal plants. In fact, there are 1,500 medicinal plants found in the Philippines alone. But, before jumping into the bandwagon, only 120 medicinal plants have been scientifically validated for safety and efficacy and, to this day, only 10 medicinal plants have been promoted by the DOH and the Philippine Institute for Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) to be safely used by the public.

But even with these staggering numbers, why is herbal medicine getting a new surge of popularity? Perhaps the general public, paired with the increasing number of diseases or conditions brought about by genetics or lifestyle, were simply looking for alternative ways to get better. After all, if it worked for our ancestors, it must work. And, it’s become so convenient to pick up food supplements anywhere—there’s no need for a prescription from a doctor, it’s readily available in almost all drugstores, some even do online delivery or monthly subscription services.

Before picking up the latest food supplement to kickstart your New Year’s resolution of having a healthier lifestyle, it’s best to take a look at the list of herbs and medicinal plants that are truly effective. Luckily, we live at a time when advancements in science can know for a fact which herbs and medicinal plants truly work, and which ones only work perhaps due to tradition, or plainly due to placebo effect. Here are a few of those that have been scientifically proven to work when it comes to your dermatological concerns and conditions:

Aloe

  • Great in preventing wrinkles and sagging skin
  • Effective as a hair conditioner
  • Great for soothing burns and wounds, healing wounds 72 hours faster
  • Used for frostbite and cold sores
  • Used as an astringent, antiseptic, moisturizer
  • Boosts Sun Protection Factor or SPF
  • Helps in treatment of Psoriasis
  • Treats radiation ulcers and stasis ulcers

 Ginger

  • Has antioxidant properties
  • A known aphrodisiac
  • Natural breath sweetener
  • Remedy for sore throat
  • Helps keep hair healthy

 Virgin Coconut Oil

  • Rich source of protein, vitamins, and antioxidants
  • Great in preventing wrinkles and sagging skin
  • Helps moisturize and hydrate the skin
  • Lowers lipid components
  • Has beneficial effects on those with cardiovascular disease

 Turmeric

  • Rich source of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties
  • Used as an astringent and antiseptic
  • Helps get rid of allergies, itches, and dry skin
  • Gives a “glow” when mixed with water and consumed

 Papaya

  • Used for warts, cancers, tumors, corns, and skin indurations
  • Used as a gentle exfoliant
  • Used to avoid dyspepsia
  • Used to remove psoriasis and ringworm
  • Remedy for acne

 Avocado

  • Helps keep hair healthy
  • Can be used for the face or body due to it being non-allergenic
  • Great for soothing sunburns
  • Helps moisturize the skin
  • Helps with eczema and psoriasis
  • Hlps regularize menstruation

Guava

  • Contains two to five times more Vitamin C than oranges
  • Rich source of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
  • Great in preventing wrinkles and improves the appearance of age spots
  • Can improve skin affected by atopic dermatitis
  • Great for soothing burns and wounds, widely used for circumcision wounds
  • Can be used as a vaginal douche and for tightening and toning of the vaginal walls after childbirth
  •  Can be used to heal mouth sores, bleeding gums, sun strain, conjunctivitis, and painful eye injuries
  • Helps keep hair healthy

Gotu Kola (Takip Kuhol)

  • Helps with obstinate eczema, ulcers, abscesses, swelling of glands, chronic rheumatism
  • Great for soothing wounds, powder used to treat leprosy sores
  • Can be used to heal tonsillitis, pharyngitis, measles, bronchitis, and hepatitis
  • Has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
  • A known aphrodisiac
  • May improve appearance stretch marks
  • Great for soothing sunburns, skin irritation, and surgical wounds
  • Great in preventing more skin from sagging

Tomato

  • Has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Great for soothing sunburns
  • May help those oily skin with acne
  • Can be used for the face or body due to it being non-allergenic
  • May help protect from heart disease and prostate cancer

 Leaf Ginseng

  • Known to be one of the safest herbs in Chinese traditional medicine
  • Has antioxidants
  • Improves dry, dull, and aging skin
  • Improves blood circulation
  • Helps in relieving those suffering from asthma and bronchitis

 Purslane

  • Has antioxidants
  • Contains calcium, iron, Omega-3, fatty acids
  • Great for soothing wounds, swelling, bruises, gout, and erysipelas
  • Can be used for the face or body due to it being non-allergenic
  • Can improve skin affected by atopic dermatitis
  • Helps moisturize and hydrate the skin
  • Keeps hair healthy

 Even if there’s only 11 out of 1,500 herbs and medicinal plants listed here to be scientifically safe and effective, it goes to show that there is indeed room for both traditional and alternative medicine to coexist, and work for the common goal of providing a longer, healthier, and happier life for all.

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