This document provides information on several Philippine medicinal plants - Yerba buena, Tanglad, Pansit-pansitan, Balbas pusa, Saluyot. For each plant, it describes key details like uses, parts used, preparation methods. Yerba buena is used to treat body pain, cough, menstrual pain and is prepared as tea by drying and boiling leaves. Tanglad is used for gastrointestinal issues and prepared as tea by boiling leaves in water. Pansit-pansitan treats fever and arthritis and its whole plant can be eaten or its juice used topically. Balbas pusa is used for kidney/urinary issues and prepared as tea by boiling leaves in water. Sal

1. Yerba buena
(Clinopodium douglasii)
Yerba buena is a rambling aromatic herb of the
mint family that is known and used as herbal
medicine worldwide.
Yerba buena is also known for its medicinal
properties. Yerba buena is used as herbal
medicine for the treatment of many ailments
which has been traditionally used since ancient times.
Studies have shown that Yerba buena contains
pulegone, menthol, menthene, menthenone and limonene.
Uses
• Yerba Buena tea used as body pain reliever. Good for headache, stomach
ache and tooth ache.
• Yerba Buena poultice used for Rheumatism, arthritis and headache.
• Yerba Buena tea for cough and colds.
• Yerba Buena as mouthwash for swollen gums and tooth aches.
• Yerba Buena tea for menstrual and gas pain. Drink infusion. It induces
menstrual flow and sweating.
• Yerba Buena minty scent for nausea and fainting
• Yerba Buena leaves for Insect bites
How to use:
1. Crush the fresh leaves squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with
eucalyptus. (for rheumatism)
2. Steep 6 grams of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use
solution as gargle. (for swollen gums)
3. Crush leaves and apply at nostrils of patients. (for fainting)
4. Crush leaves and apply juice on affected part or pound leaves until pastelike. Then rub this on affected part. (for insect bites)
5. Yerba buena herbal tea Preparation
-
Dry Yerba buena leaves for about two weeks
Crush Yerba buena leaves into pieces
Boil the dried Yerba buena leaves in water.
2 tablespoon of dried Yerba buena leaves to one cup water.
Let it seep for 30 minutes. Strain the leaves.
Take the Yerba buena herbal tea for 4 to 6 times daily.

2. Tanglad
(Cymbopogon citratus)
Tanglad is a native herb from
temperate and warm regions and a
member of a species of grass that grows to as high as 1 meter with leaves of 1
to 1.5 centimeters in width that grows from a stalk of about 30 to 80 cm long
with bulbous lower end.
Uses
• Tanglad as herbal medicine for gastrointestinal problems stomachaches,
diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, the flu, and headaches.
• Tanglad oil mixed with other essential oils such as coconut oil is used as a
liniment for back pains, rheumatism, neuralgia, sprains and other body pains.
• Tanglad oil mixed with other essential oils such as lavender or jasmine oil
used in baths or vapor scents can revitalize the body and relieve the symptoms
of jet lag, headaches, anxiety and stress related exhaustion.
• To treat circulatory disorders, some authorities recommend rubbing a few
drops of Tanglad oil on the skin of affected areas; it is believed to work by
improving blood flow.
• Tanglad has natural anti-microbial properties, is an antiseptic, suitable for
use on various types of skin infections, usually as a wash or compress, and is
especially effective on ringworm, infected sores. Acne and athlete's foot
• Tanglad is effective in killing cancer cells.
• It is useful with respiratory infections such as sore throats, laryngitis and
fever and helps prevent spreading of infectious diseases.
• Tanglad is also used as an insect repellant. It helps to keep pets clean of
fleas, ticks and lice.
How to use:
Tanglad Tea Preparation
Pound or cut about 10 leaves of Tanglad then add in 2 cups of boiling water
for 10 to 15 minutes, strain, add sugar and a slice of ginger to taste. Let it cool
and drink a cup three to four times a day. Make new Tanglad herbal tea as
needed. When symptoms persist or irritation occurs stop the use and consult
your doctor. Tanglad oil (food grade) can also be used to make tea by diluting
2 teaspoon of Tanglad oil to a cup of boiling water.
Tanglad Liniment Preparation
Boil equal amounts of chopped leaves and roots with freshly made coconut oil
You can also mix 2 drops of Tanglad oil to an ounce of your usual oil used
such as coconut oil, olive oil, etc.
Tanglad Baths and Compress
Chop about a cup of Tanglad leaves to a liter of water. Let it boil and strain.
You can add it to your bath or you can use it as herbal compress for skin
infections.
Tanglad oil can also be added to a bath or warm water for hot compress. a
tablespoon of oil for every 500ml for compress is suggested.

3. Pansit-pansitan
(Peperomia pellucida Linn)
Pansit-pansitan is a common fleshy
shallow rooted herb that grows to about
15 to 45 cm in height in damp and lightly
shaded areas. Pansit-pansitan has been
used as food item as well as a medicinal
herb for its analgesic, anti-arthritic, diuretic activity.
Pansit-pansitan has been traditionally used to treat fever, cough, common
cold, headache and arthritis. In a study of aerial parts of peperomia extract in
mice indicated that that it exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic
activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was attributed to interference with
prostaglandin synthesis.
Uses
Eye inflammation
Sore throat
Diarrhea
Prostate problems
High blood pressure
Arthritis
Gout
Skin boils
Wounds
Burns
Skin inflammation
Abscesses
Pimples
Headache
Fever
Abdominal pains
Renal problems
Mental excitement disorder
How to use:
1. Pepperomia Pellucida or pansit-pansitan grows wild in nooks and corners
in damp lightly shaded areas. The whole plant can be harvested fresh,
eaten raw as in salad ingredient or cooked with other vegetables and meat.
The entire plant is edible either cooked or raw.
2. Pansit-pansitan juice can be prepared by collecting stems and leaves mixed
with boiled water or formed into poultice to be applied topically over skin
wounds and inflammation.

4. Balbas pusa
or Cat Whisker
(Orthosiphon aristatus)
Balbas pusa also popularly known as Java tea is
widely used as folkloric herbal medicine for
centuries . Orthosiphon aristatus (balbas pusa) is
an erect, slender shrub that can grow 1-2 meters in
height. The leaves are semi-deciduous, light to dark
green in color and are borne in distant pairs that is
about 5-10 cm long.. The stalk is reddish-brown,
that is slightly puberulent. The flowers forms a
pagoda like shaped with 5-6 cm long stamens that
resembles a cat’s whiskers, hence the name
'balbas pusa' in tagalog and 'cat's whisker' in english.
The color of the flowers varies from white to purplish.
Uses
Balbas pusa is used as a treatment for the following ailments:
• Renal inflammation, kidney stones and dysuria.
• Liver and bladder problems including bladder stones,
• Urinary tract infection
• Diabetes
• Rheumatism and gout.
• Reduction of cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Anti allergic, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory
• Diuretic or stimulates urine production
How to use:
1. Balbas pusa or java tea is prepared as follows:
-
wash fresh or dried balbas pusa or cat's whisker leaves
chop then add in 4 cups of water for every 1 cup
let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes
Let it steep then strain.
Drink half cup of balbas pusa tea also known as java tea three times a day.
2. Balbas pusa tea concoction can be stored in suitable glass container for
later consumption.

5. Saluyot
(Corchorus olitorius)
Saluyot is an edible leafy vegetable that
is a member of the genus Corchorus,
classified
under
the
subfamily
Grewioideae of the family Malvaceae.
Saluyot leaves are very nutritious, it is
rich in calcium, iron, protein, vitamin A,
C and E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and dietary fibers.
Uses
• Saluyot being rich in vitamins and minerals generally promotes good health
and well-being.
• Saluyot being rich in vitamin A can provide health benefits for good eyesight.
Saluyot contains vitamin E and other antioxidants. It is said to prevent
wrinkles and promote youthful looking skin.
• Saluyot is used to treat inflammation and pain such as arthritis , headache,
stomach ache and others.
• Saluyot being rich in fiber helps to control blood pressure, cholesterol buildup, diabetes and prevents heart disease.
• Saluyot leaves are rich in fiber and its slimy consistency when cooked is
used to treat various digestive problems such as diarrhea, stomach ache,
dysentery, constipation and ulcers.
• It is also claimed that together with other herbs that can cure cancer.
How to use:
1. Saluyot being an annual plant can be grown in your backyard or can be
bought in your local wet market by the bunch.
2. Saluyot leaves may be dried and stored for later use.
3. Saluyot leaves are dried and boiled to make a medicinal tea.
4. Saluyot leaves being a vegetable can be thrown in as an ingredient in
making stews or soups and other viands. The Ilocanos are known to
prepare delicious dishes with saluyot, the most popular are dinengdeng
and bulang-bulang. Some Ilocanos even attributes their youthful looks and
longevity in saluyot rich diet.
5. Saluyot is usually cooked as stew, forming thick slimy syrup similar in
consistency to okra usually taken with rice or other starchy staple.

6. Medicinal
Plants