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Difference between revisions of "Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan)"
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==News About Shiny Bush (Pansit Pansitan) == | ==News About Shiny Bush (Pansit Pansitan) == | ||
'''How to Make Pancit Pancitan Tea (Ulasimang Bato)''' | |||
*Source:http://foodrecap.net/health/ulasimang-bato-tea/ | |||
:(marvin, foodrecap) | |||
Pancit pancitan or ulasimang bato is one of the 10 herbal medicine approved by the Department of Health. | |||
Here is the complete list. | |||
:1. Lagundi (Vitex negundo L.) | |||
:2. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) | |||
:3. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera L. DC) | |||
:4. Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa (Vahl) Masam.) | |||
:5. Niyog- Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.) | |||
:6. Akapulko (Cassia alata L.) | |||
:7. Ulasimang-bato (Peperonia pellucida) | |||
:8. Bawang (Alium sativum L.) | |||
:9. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia (L.) DC) | |||
:10. Guava (Psidium guajava L.) < – – this one is my favorite | |||
The two major uses of ulasimang bato are: | |||
:1. Rheumatism and gout. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes 1 1/2 cup herb with 2 cups or water. | |||
:2. Salad. In addition or replacement to your favorite lettuce. | |||
I gathered some of it from my mother’s garden and prepared the tea as instructed. | |||
I added few granules of muscovado sugar to make the taste better. | |||
One way to make pancit pancitan available the whole year round is to dry it. You may also want to sell it for business. | |||
:1. Wash it gently with running water. | |||
:2. Rinse and place in front of electric fan immediately to remove adhering water drops. | |||
:3. Arrange in trays and air dry at room temperature. Air drying is recommended because high temperature might destroy its herbal potential. Drying time may take weeks. | |||
:4. Pack in clean plastic bags and seal. | |||
If you are in a hurry, you can use vacuum dryer instead. | |||
---- | |||
'''Ulasimang Bato Salad, Pansit Pansitan''' | '''Ulasimang Bato Salad, Pansit Pansitan''' | ||
*Source:http://foodrecap.net/health/pansitad-salad/ | *Source:http://foodrecap.net/health/pansitad-salad/ | ||
Revision as of 20:47, 7 September 2016
Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Cures for Diseases, Ailments & Illnesses that afflict Humans and Animals
Aloe Vera •
Astragalus •
Bankoro •
Bilberry •
Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya) •
Bitter Orange •
Black Cohosh •
Cat's Claw •
Chamomile •
Chasteberry •
Coconut •
Cranberry •
Dandelion •
Echinacea •
Ephedra •
European Elder Tree •
Evening Primrose •
Fenugreek •
Feverfew •
Flaxseed •
Garlic •
Ginger •
Ginkgo •
Ginseng (Asian) •
Golden Seal •
Grape Seed •
Green Tea •
Hawthorn •
Hoodia •
Horse Chestnut •
Kava •
Lavender •
Licorice •
Malunggay Moringa Oleifera •
Milk Thistle •
Mistletoe •
Passion Flower •
Peppermint Oil •
Red Clover •
Ringworm Bush (Akapulko) – Cassia alata •
Saw Palmetto •
St. John's Wort •
Tawa Tawa •
Turmeric •
Valerian •
Yohimbe •
accept the bitter to get better
_3.jpg) Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) Peperomia pellucida in a Pot growing with other plants. | |||
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Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) - Peperomia pellucida
Pansit-pansitan is a small, fleshy herb (about 40 cm tall), which grows in yards, nooks and other damp areas. The plant have green, heart-shaped leaves, fleshy stems that produce tiny flowers on a spike. The small, oblong-shaped fruits turn to black when ripe. Parts uses are leaves and stems.
Information verbatim from wikipedia: Peperomia pellucida is an annual, shallow-rooted herb, usually growing to a height of about 15 to 45 cm. it is characterized by succulent stems, shiny, heart-shaped, fleshy leaves and tiny, dot-like seeds attached to several fruiting spikes. It has a mustard-like odor when crushed. The family Piperaceae comprises about a dozen genera and around 3000 species. The genus Peperomia represents nearly half of the Piperaceae with the genus Piper making the bulk of the rest.
Common names
- source: wikipedia:
Throughout the Americas, it is known as pepper elder, silverbush, rat-ear, man-to-man, clearweed (North America); konsaka wiwiri (Guianas); coraçãozinho or "little heart" (Brazil); lingua de sapo, herva-de-vidro, herva-de-jaboti or herva-de-jabuti (South America). In Oceania, it is called rtertiil (Belauan); podpod-lahe or potpopot (Chamorro). In the different dialects of the Philippines, it is called pansit-pansitan or ulasimang-bato (Tagalog), olasiman ihalas (Bisaya), sinaw-sinaw or tangon-tangon (Bikol), and lin-linnaaw (Ilocano). In other parts of Asia, it is known as càng cua (Vietnam); pak krasang (Thailand); suna kosho (Japan); rangu-rangu, ketumpangan or tumpang angin (Bahasa/Malay); rinrin (Nigeria).
Medical Uses of Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) - Peperomia pellucida
- Fresh juice made from stem and leaves controls eye inflammation or minor eye problems.
- Crushed whole plant as warm poultice, is effective for pimples, boils, and wound.
- Concoction of leaves used in treating fevers, headaches, sore throats, coughs, common colds, and diarrheas.
- Boiled leaves and stems is used for gout, arthritis, rheumatic pains, and conjunctivitis. The mixture is also effective in controlling high blood pressure.
- Juice made from leaves and stem, taken externally, is a good facial wash for skin problems.
Where Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) - Peperomia pellucida Grows
This is a tropical plant and grows like weed in any damp area.
News About Shiny Bush (Pansit Pansitan)
How to Make Pancit Pancitan Tea (Ulasimang Bato)
- (marvin, foodrecap)
Pancit pancitan or ulasimang bato is one of the 10 herbal medicine approved by the Department of Health.
Here is the complete list.
- 1. Lagundi (Vitex negundo L.)
- 2. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)
- 3. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera L. DC)
- 4. Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa (Vahl) Masam.)
- 5. Niyog- Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.)
- 6. Akapulko (Cassia alata L.)
- 7. Ulasimang-bato (Peperonia pellucida)
- 8. Bawang (Alium sativum L.)
- 9. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia (L.) DC)
- 10. Guava (Psidium guajava L.) < – – this one is my favorite
The two major uses of ulasimang bato are:
- 1. Rheumatism and gout. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes 1 1/2 cup herb with 2 cups or water.
- 2. Salad. In addition or replacement to your favorite lettuce.
I gathered some of it from my mother’s garden and prepared the tea as instructed.
I added few granules of muscovado sugar to make the taste better.
One way to make pancit pancitan available the whole year round is to dry it. You may also want to sell it for business.
- 1. Wash it gently with running water.
- 2. Rinse and place in front of electric fan immediately to remove adhering water drops.
- 3. Arrange in trays and air dry at room temperature. Air drying is recommended because high temperature might destroy its herbal potential. Drying time may take weeks.
- 4. Pack in clean plastic bags and seal.
If you are in a hurry, you can use vacuum dryer instead.
Ulasimang Bato Salad, Pansit Pansitan
- (marvin, foodrecap)
I have a previous post of How to make Pancit Pancitan Tea. This medicinal herb is getting popular because it is one of the ten medicinal herbs approved by the Department of Health.
This herb is a cure for rheumatism and gout.
I gathered another set of ulasimang bato not to cure illness or make some tea. Another use of this herb is for salad.
I wanted a plain salad so I can taste its flavor clearly. I washed it thoroughly with running water. Rinse. I spread some mayonnaise. I ate it outside our house so I can spit it immediately in case the taste was awful.
Luckily, the leaves taste good but the stalks have a slight astringent taste like raw pechay stalks. The astringency remained in my sense of taste for about 2 hours.
Just like any kind of fruits and vegetables, medicinal herb is better and more potent when taken fresh. So better eat this herb fresh.
Peperomia:Pansit-Pansitan for • Arthritis • Gout• Skin boils, abscesses, pimples• Headache• Abdominal pains• kidney problems
- (riezen, disease-of-life)
Pansit-pansitan (family: Piperaceae) is an herbal medicine also known as Ulasiman-bato, olasiman-ihalas & tangon-tangon in the Philippines. English name: peperomia. Pansit-pansitan is a small herb that grows from 1 to 1 1/2 feet. It can be found wild on lightly shaded and damp areas such as nooks, walls, yards and even roofs. Pansit-pansitan has heart shaped leaves, succulent stems with tiny flowers on a spike. When matured, the small fruits bear one seed which fall of the ground and propagate. The leaves and stalk of pansit-pansitan are edible. It can be harvested, washed and eaten as fresh salad. Taken as a salad, pansit-pansitan helps relive rheumatic pains and gout. An infusion or decoction (boil 1 cup of leaves/stem in 2 cups of water) can also be made and taken orally - 1 cup in the morning and another cup in the evening.
For the herbal treatment of skin disorders like abscesses, pimples and boils, pound the leaves and/or the stalks and make a poultice (boil in water for a minute or two then pounded) then applied directly to the afflicted area. Likewise a decoction can be used as a rinse to treat skin disorders. For headaches, heat a couple of leaves in hot water, bruise the surface and apply on the forehead. The decoction of leaves and stalks is also good for abdominal pains and kidney problems. Like any herbal medicine it is not advisable to take any other medication in combination with any herbs. Consult with a medical practitioner knowledgeable in herbal medicine before any treatment. Pansit-pansitan is used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of: • Arthritis • Gout• Skin boils, abscesses, pimples• Headache• Abdominal pains• kidney problems
Pansit-pansitan – Scientific name: Peperomia pellucida Linn.
- (Healing Wonders of Philippine Medicinal Plants)
An annual herb, shallow rooted, may reach 40 cm high, with succulent stems. Leaves are alternate, heart-shaped and turgid, as transparent and smooth as candle wax. Tiny dotlike flowers scattered along solitary and leaf-opposed stalk (spike); naked; maturing gradually from the base to the tip; turning brown when ripe. Propagation by seeds. Numerous tiny seeds drop off when mature and grow easily in clumps and groups in damp areas.
- Distribution
An annual herb, favoring shady, damp and loose soil. Often grows in groups in nooks in the garden and yard. Conspicious in rocky parts of canals.
- Parts utilized
Leaves and stems.
- Nutritional value:
Leaves and stems may be eaten as vegetable. In salads, the fresh plant has the crispness of carrot sticks and celery.
- Medicinal Uses:
Infusion and decoction of leaves and stems are used for gout and arthritis. Externally, as a facial rinse for complexion problems. Pounded whole plant used as warm poultice for boils, pustules and pimples.
- New uses
Belongs to the “preferred list” of Philippine medicinal plants, being studied for its use in the treatment of arthritis and gout. For arthritis: Leaves and stems of the fresh plant may be eaten as salad. Or, as an infusion, put a 20-cm plant in 2 glasses of boiling water; and 1/2 cup of this infusion is taken morning and evening.
Uses and Preparation of Ulasiman-bato; Pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida)
- Source:http://traditional-medicinenews.blogspot.com/2011/09/uses-and-preparation-of-ulasiman-bato.html
- (Traditional-Medicine News)
Scientific name: Peperomia pellucida (L.) HBK Common names: Pansit-pansitan (Tagalog); sinaw-sinaw (Bisaya); peperomia.
Indications and preparations: Infusion, decoction or salad for gout and rheumatic pains; pounded plant warm poultice for boils and abscesses.
Description: a plant that usually grows during rainy season. It is 40 centimeters in height. The shape of the leaves are rounded and pointed at the tip. The fruit is round and coffee-like in color.
How to Plant Pansit-pansitan: Plant the seeds. You do not need to water them everyday.
Harvesting: Harvest only the healthy leaves.
Preparation:
There are 2 ways to prepare pansit-pansitan.
- Prepare 1/2 cup of fresh leaves and chew 3 times a day.
- Put 1 1/2 cups of fresh leaves in an earthen jar. Pour in 2 glassfuls of water. Cover it. Bring mixture to a boil. Remove the cover and let it continue to boil until the 2 glassful of water originally poured has been reduced to 1 glassful. Let it cool, then strain the mixture.
How to Use: Divide the decoction into 3 parts and drink 1 part 3 times a day after meals.
Pansit-Pansitan (SHINY BUSH) as Herbal Medicine
- (medicinalherbs4)
A herb used to treat arthritis, gout, skin disorders, abdominal pains and kidney problems. It is applied to the skin as poultice or as a decoction when taken internally.
- Parts utilized
Leaves and stems.
- Properties
• Considered anti-inflammatory, refrigerant, analgesic, antifungal, anticancer.
Uses Infusion and decoction of leaves and stems are used for gout and arthritis. Decoction of leaves used for urinary tract infections. Externally, as a facial rinse for complexion problems. Pounded whole plant used as warm poultice for boils, pustules and pimples. In Jamaica and the Caribbean used for colds and as a diuretic for kidney problems. In Brazil, used for abscesses and conjunctivitis. In Bolivia, decoction of roots used for fever; aerial parts for wounds. In Bangladesh, leaves used in the treatment of excited mental disorders. In Africa, used for convulsions and tumors. Used for headaches, rheumatic pains, impotence. In Brazil, used to lower cholesterol; for treatment of abscesses, furuncles and conjunctivitis New uses Belongs to the "preferred list" of Philippine medicinal plants, being studied for its use in the treatment of arthritis and gout. For arthritis: Leaves and stems of the fresh plant may be eaten as salad. Or, as an infusion, put a 20-cm plant in 2 glasses of boiling water; and 1/2 cup of this infusion is taken morning and evening.
Ulasimang bato – Pansit pansitan - English
- (Halamang Gamot / Herbal Medicine)
Is a herbal medicine known also as ulasiman-bato, ulasiman-ilahas, singaw-singaw, sida-sida, tagulinaw and tangon-tangon in some part of the Philippines, It’s English name is Peperomia, shiny bush, silver bush, clear weed, rat-ear and clear weed.
It is a wild plants that grows on damp and lightly shaded area, it has a alternate heart shaped leaves with a very succulent round steams, a green spikes, dot-like flowers that bear seed which fall of the ground and propagate.
Leaves and steam are edible, often use by some on a salad and can be eaten raw.
Use as herbal remedy for: Arthritis, Gout, Skin boils, Wounds, Burns, Skin inflammation, abscesses, pimples, Headache, Abdominal pains, kidney problems, Eye inflammation, Sore throat, Diarrhea, Prostate problems, High blood pressure, Fever, Renal problems, Mental excitement disorder.
- How to prepare:
- • As vegetable:
- -The leaves and steams may be eaten raw, when freshly harvested and washed.
- • As drink :
- 1. Wash the leaves/steams
- 2. Measure 2 glasses of water and 1 glass of leaves/steam.
- 3. Boil
- 4. Set aside, cool and strain.
- Use 2 times a day, 1 cup in the morning and 1 cup in the evening
- •For skin problems
- -Wash and pound the leaves/steams and apply it directly to affected area.
- •For headache
- -Wash a couple of leaves, bruise the surface and apply on the forehead.
Apec menu showcases local herbs
- By Cathy Cañares-Yamsuan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
IMAGINE global leaders like US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping eating a typical Pinoy fare found on the dinner table of every Juan.
This, in a nutshell, is how restaurateur and gastronomer Margarita “Gaita” Fores summed up the menu that will be served to the heads of state attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ summit when Malacañang hosts a welcome dinner for them on Wednesday.
Fores declined to go into details, only saying that Filipino herbs like “pansit-pansitan” that gardeners of old used to ignore would be showcased this time.
Fores and Glenda Barretto, another respected trailblazer in Filipino gastronomy, have joined forces for a culinary showdown that would have Apec leaders as spectators and diners as well.
“I cannot divulge exactly what we will be serving,” Fores told Inquirer Lifestyle in an exclusive interview.
“But what we plan to do is make people appreciate our common cuisine that is Filipino but executed in an innovative way. I am super excited,” she added.
Batanes to Jolo
Fores pointed out that their effort had pushed them to source assorted agricultural produce “from Batanes to Jolo.”
She also noted that the mission to educate Obama, et al., senior ministers and other Apec delegates about Filipino cuisine had inspired many local chefs to participate.
“Many of our chefs have been commissioned to prepare dishes … up until the 20th,” she said.
Fores said the “common advocacy of local chefs to source unique ingredients to showcase diverse produce and highlight the uniqueness” of Filipino food was the driving force behind the initiative.
“We tend to take for granted what is served to us everyday that we do not realize our food is already getting international attention,” she added.
Fores said many of the dishes that would be served to the world leaders were inspired by recipes from the book “Culinaria,” published by Anvil Books through the support of Asia Society and Doris Magsaysay-Ho.
Featured in buffet
The other night, a heady mix of Filipino food and Western dishes was the highlight at the dinner for Apec senior ministers and other delegates at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Featured in the buffet laid out by The LJC Group were chicken galantina, bamboo rice with forest mushrooms, grilled boneless chicken with annatto and garlic, prawn in kamias cream sauce, lamb adobo, spaghetti, tagliolini, roast US black Angus rib eye and assorted rice cakes.
Ulasimang Bato Side Dish
- (PhilAsian Herb)
If you're into gardening, why not be among the first to cultivate Ulasimang Bato or commonly known as Pansit-Pansitan. It's easy to grow anyway; they easily thrive on damp places like damp rocks or stone walls or floors. They grow wild and spread fast so you don't have to care much for them. When harvest time comes, you can enjoy your Ulasiman Bato side dish with your fried fish or pork.
I like its other name--Ikmo-Ikmohan. I used to create stories about an old man "Ikmo" who fell in love with a young, pretty girl. Anyway, Ulasimang Bato or Shiny Bush, when mature, grows tiny seeds on long, slender stems which easily fall off to start new sprouts. The plant looks like young mongo sprouts, standing erect though small, with both rounded leaves and white noodle-like stems shiny. Thus, it's also called Pansit-Pansitan because of its noodle-like, white stems.
- How to Grow These Wild Mini Bush
It's a wild plant that likes thriving in damp areas. So, if it's wild, how do you "grow" it? Pile rocks somewhere in your garden or have a low concrete barrier constructed there where it will be naturally damp. Or, look for where Pansit-Pansitan already grows in abundance and transfer the rocks to your garden. Or, have a concrete canal constructed in your garden where clean water runs. Soon, you'd see the wild bush growing after some algae have formed. Then you'd soon enjoy your own Ulasimang Bato side dish.
- Why Grow It?
Why grow it? To make sure you enjoy clean and safe Ulasimang Bato, you'd have to grow them somewhere clean. Some folks here in Deep Asia get them from vacant lots or street canals, wash them, and eat them or boil them for the medicinal brew. The problem with this is, we don't know whether the wild bush, freely exposed from the elements, is contaminated or not.
Who knows if cats or dogs urinate on them (worse, if they have been exposed to rat urine) or if some other contaminants have marred their safeness? So, look for where the bush already grows, get those rocks on which they have clung to, transfer them to your garden, and wait for the next sprouting batch to turn up and start growing that.
- How Does Ulasimang Bato Taste?
Then you'd be able to harvest safe and healthy Pansit-Pansitan and enjoy your Ulasimang Bato side dish. Just wash the stems and enjoy their crunchy, succulent quality with your fried fish. They taste like steamed mongo sprouts, only sweeter. And you'd love how easily they crunch between your teeth and how the sweet juice splashes in your mouth.
Or brew it together with the leaves for a detox tea that many claim can heal kidney stone and UTI problems. You want to get rid of your gout or other similar joint inflammations? Try Ulasimang Bato tea.
- Nutrition
Pansit-Pansitan is said to be high in fiber and minerals like iron, manganese, zinc. sodium, and copper. As far as phytochemicals are concerned, it has cardenolides, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids--good antioxidants. What does this mean? They can be good help for healing inflammation, cancer, fungus and also serve as an analgesic. It has other medicinal uses, but to me it's best as Ulasimang Bato side dish that should be enjoyed more often and by more people. So grow them in your garden.
7 Unusual Plants PROVEN to Cure High Blood Pressure
- Source:http://blueheronhealthnews.com/site/2012/11/27/7-unusual-plants-proven-to-cure-high-blood-pressure/
- By Christian Goodman
A joint study recently published out of several departments at Ambrose Alli University in Nigeria, including the departments of Botany, Pharmacology and the Medical Laboratory, looked at more than a dozen indigenous herbs and plants that have been used for centuries to reduce high blood pressure, to see if there was any scientific merit to their touted effectiveness.
What makes the study really useful is that there are so many communities all across Nigeria and really all the countries from the Ivory Coast to Angola that have high numbers of people with hypertension, but also the perfect climate (near the coastlines) to grow these common plants.
Some of them are limited to Africa, but many of them can be found in practically any market, anywhere in the world.
Studies looking at the medicinal qualities of herbs and other plants tend to all point to the general consensus that two key chemical types are usually present when a plant or compound is found to be effective on hypertension: alkaloids and cardiac glycosides.
Alkaloids are chemicals that naturally occur in plants that have medicinal properties in some way. The most common example that textbooks cite is the alkaloid caffeine that exists in coffee beans and tea leaves.
The alkaloids in the plants named below, though, aren’t like caffeine (which stimulates). The bitter taste is characteristic of the alkalines reserpine, which has long been used as a treatment for hypertension, and vincamine, which has vaso-dilating properties.
Cardiac glycosides are present in many, many plant species but can be very harmful depending upon the plant and how it is consumed. For example, cardiac glycosides are present in all of the safe plants listed in this article…but they are also present in highly toxic plants such as mistletoe, swizzle stick, and Nigerian Senna.
So which plants have both of these highly effective compounds? They are listed below:
Lets start with some better known plants… – Garlic – We have heard for years about the healing powers of garlic. However, most people would not be able to tell you why it works to lower high blood pressure or ease arthritis pain. Garlic is one of those wonder-foods that contains innumerable chemicals that do very good things in the body to lower high blood pressure, reduce stress, and eliminate inflammation. While raw garlic is the best source of the most concentrated amounts of these powerful chemicals, cooked or roasted garlic is still a pretty effective ally in the quest for good health.
– Avocado – This little fruit doesn’t get the press it deserves. It’s a high-fiber wonder-food that gets a bad rap because of its high fat content. However, the fats are unique in that they contain highly effective chemicals that beat inflammation back with a stick. In addition to the healthy alkaloids and cardiac glycosides, avocados are also very high in vitamin K, folate, and vitamin C.
– Onion – This pungent little polyphenol powerhouse packs a health punch that makes the bitter taste seem a little easier to swallow. Its extremely high flavonoid content also makes it a healthful food. Combining these first three ingredients might make your breath smell a little bad but you’re on your way to an incredibly healthy garnish for potatoes, tacos, or salads.
– Guava leaf – This food is ground and steeped and taken more as a tonic than as a food While the guava fruit is itself a tasty, healthy treat, the tea made from the leaves is very high in flavonoids and has been long used as a remedy for irregular heartbeat in South America and West Africa.
– Ashanti Pepper – This pepper, a relative of black pepper, is only found along the coastal regions of West Africa. It’s not only used to treat high blood pressure, but also indigestion, fever, constipation, muscle pain, and even flatulence.
– Bitter Leaf – This plant is used a lot in traditional Nigerian cuisine, and for good reason. Even though its name implies bitterness (as you would expect, as it is high in alkaloid content), it is reportedly very mild. It has been proven in a number of studies to reduce cholesterol, specifically the bad LDL type, although outside of the cardiac glycoside and alkaloid properties the exact reason is unknown.
– Cow Foot, or Pansit Pansitan – This entire plant is reportedly edible, cooked or raw. It had been used for generations to treat everything from sore throat, eye inflammation, and pimples to gout, arthritis and high blood pressure.
While garlic, onion, avocado and guava are a little easier to come by, Ashanti Pepper, Bitter Leaf and Cow Foot might be a little trickier to get hold of if you’re not already living along the West African coast.
However, with the proliferation of health food sites popping up all over the web, it has become easier and easier to find those unique and strange plants only available on other continents.
The key to making use of the benefits these types of plants and their healing chemicals offer is to not go overboard and also to do a little research on which herbs and plants are actually consumable and non-toxic.
The study out of Nigeria included a number of plants like mistletoe and swizzle stick that are actually highly toxic. Inexperienced dabblers in herbal therapies are frequently the ones who wind up with a toxicity that is very dangerous, so make sure that you always consult a professional before you go grinding up your Christmas plants.
In the meantime, work on perfecting your guacamole recipe and load up on the fresh garlic, onion, and avocado. Serve it with a nice, healthful tea using some of the other plants listed and you’re off to a natural way to drop high blood pressure.
The Health Benefits of Pancit-Pancitan
- (jem22, Alternative Medicines In The Philippines)
The Philippines is a country with a diversified flora, home of many different plant species which have scientific medicinal value recently found in the current research made by the Philippine Department of Health (DoH). One of these plants is the "Pansit-pansitan".
These plants are shallow rooted and have shiny stems which are also succulent. The leaves are transparent, alternating in as turgid and heart-shaped. These plants grow easily in clumps within lightly shaded damp areas, loose soil and are conspicious in the rocky parts of canals or streams.
Pansit-pansitan is a native Philippine herb (scientific name: Peperomia pellucida) - also known as "Ulasiman bato" or English name "Peperomia" or "Shiny Bush". Pansit-pansitan is one of the crude plants known and approved by the Philippine DoH to provide relief and treatment of rheumatic pains and gout.
Pansit-pansitan plants are quite edible, from the flowers, stems and leaves. These plants grow to a length of one-and-a-half feet. Once harvested and washed, pansit-pansitan can be readily eated as salad. Likewise, these plants can also be made into a decoction by boiling one cup of washed and cleaned stems and leaves in two cups of water. Decoction should be taken twice a day - one in the morning and one in the evening. Decoction of pansit-pansitan leaves and stems are good for kidney problems as well as abdominal pains.
Pansit-pansitan can also be used to treat skin disorders such as pimples, boils, and abcesses. To create a poultice, the stems and leaves are heated and pounded to form a paste which can be applied directly to the affected area. Decoction can also be used as a wash to treat and rinse the skin disorders as well as facial problems.
Pepper elder medicinal herb may be used to treat renal problems
- (medicinalherbs4u)
Pepper elder (Peperomia pellucida) has been used medicinally for thousands of years to treat all kinds of ailments and although modern medicine has replaced the more widespread use of this herb, it still continues to hold its own in herbalism. It is truly a primary and traditional medicinal herb that has its own history of success in treating various ailments. pepper elder herb
It is of the Piperaceae family or the pepper family and although It is mostly grown for ornamental purposes, the whole plant is edible and can be utilized cooked or raw.
This medicinal herb is effective in treating abdominal pain, abscesses, acne, boils, colic, fatigue, gout, proteinuria, headache, renal disorders, and rheumatic joint pain. An herbal bath with this plant will relieve aches and pains and gives an individual a peaceful sleep. These are some of its benefits. Health benefits of pepper elder
Peperomia pellucida is used in regards to hemorrhages treatment, and the root can be used for fevers. This herb is also useful to lower cholesterol and it is a popular cough suppressant in places like Guyana and other regions in the Caribbean.
In the Philippines, a decoction of this plant is used to lower uric acid levels. Some of the common names of this herb are Silver-bush, Rat-ear, Man-to-man, and Clearweed.
It would do well for householders to have this herb in their possessions since it holds so much health benefits and is an alternative herbal remedy for so many ailments.
- Jamaicans refer to it as jointer
The medicinal properties of this medicinal herb are sedative, stimulant, relaxant, anti inflammatory, antiseptic, bactericide, along with culinary uses.
This herb is also found in Jamaica and it is used for its medicinal purposes as well as culinary. It has a very spicy aroma and thereby individuals used this herb to jerk pork, giving the pork a nice flavor. It is also known as 'jointer' in Jamaica. I am yet to find out why it is called by that name. However, we Jamaicans have a way to refer to things and persons around us by aliases.
It is discovered that chloroform extracts derived from the dried leaves of this plant may be used to combat Trichophyton mentagrophytes in vitro. This is due to its antifungal property that is found in it.
Some rural people use this herb on their donkeys as well as horses to prevent tiredness and weariness because it is effective in preventing fatigue. Pepper elder is therefore a very beneficial and useful medicinal plant for both humans and animals.
Nigerian researchers explore local cures for measles
- (ktpharm,EcBasis)
The weather has been very hot and humid, making people more susceptible to viral infections like measles. CHUKWUMA MUANYA examines herbal cures for measles.
AS the temperature and humidity levels rise, they leave certain diseases such as meningitis and measles in their wake. Measles is in town. From Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, the story is the same; children, teenagers and even adults going down with measles. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says the country is in the measles transmission season.
Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It can be prevented by the Mumps Measles and Rubella (MMR) immunisation. One can catch measles simply by sharing a drink with, or being coughed on by someone who has it. Measles is spread through the droplets breathed out of the nose and mouth, as well as saliva or mucus containing the virus. It takes about two weeks from the time one get measles until one start getting sick. This is called the incubation period. One can get measles at any age, but it is most common in kids aged between one and four.
The first signs of getting measles are feeling generally unwell, a runny nose, hacking cough, red eyes, high temperature, and aches and pains. Young people may find bright lights hurt their eyes too. Spots inside the mouth (known as Koplik’s spots), which are small, red, with blue or white centres, are a good way of telling if someone has measles. These appear just before the rash does.
The rash usually starts on the head and neck, and spreads to the rest of the body. It begins as small red spots, but these join to make patches. The patches can flow into one another and completely cover the skin. The rash lasts for about six days.
Treatment for measles generally consists of only supportive care, with particular attention to maintaining good hydration, especially in the developing world.
Recently, however, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also recommended that vitamin A supplementation be given with measles vaccination in the developing world. The impetus behind this recommendation stems from the fact that a precipitous decrease occurs in vitamin A levels, which may already be low in children who are malnourished. By giving a bolus of vitamin A with the vaccine, the WHO hopes to attenuate some of the complications (example blindness) associated with vitamin A deficiency. Antibiotics are indicated with diagnosed or suspected secondary bacterial infection but are not empirically indicated.
WHO also recommends that infected individuals or those suspected to have infection with the live measles virus should be quarantined until they are no longer contagious to prevent spread of the disease to other non-immunized individuals.
Vitamin A supplementation has been recommended in developing nations because of the higher rate of blindness following measles infection in malnourished individuals.
Also, local plants have been successfully used to treat measles in the country. The plants include: Bambusa vulgaris; Aframomum melegueta (grains of paradise, guinea grains or alligator pepper, ehin-edo in Edo, ose oji in Igbo, erhie in Urhobo, ata-ire in Yoruba); Elytraria marginata (ewe eso in Yoruba); Peperomia pellucida; Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf in English, oriwo in Edo, chusar doki in Hausa, atidot in Ibibio, onugbu in Igbo, ityuna in Tiv, and ewuro in Yoruba).
Others are: Momordica charantia (African cucumber/ Balsam pear, daddagu in Hausa, iliahia in Igala, kakayi in Igbo or ejirin weeri in Yoruba); Newbouldia laevis (fertility plant or tree of life, ogirishi in Igbo, akoko in Yoruba, ukhimi in Esan); and Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf, sweet basil, efinrin ajase in Yoruba, ebavbokho in Bini, aai doya ta gida in Hausa, and nchuanwu in Igbo.
Indeed, studies conducted in laboratories around the world have shown that traditional medicinal plants provide a rich source of antiviral activities.
Researchers at the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, have studied the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of measles in Nigeria.
M. A. Sonibare, J. O. Moody, and E. O. Adesanya have conducted an ethnobotanical survey of three Local Government areas of the Ijebu area of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria for plants used in the treatment of measles.
According to the study published last year in Journal of Ethnopharmacology, unstructured interviews were conducted among both urban and rural dwellers of three major groups of Ijebu people inhabiting the area (Ijebu North, Ijebu northeast and Ijebu Ode Local Governments).
A total of 20 respondents comprising by herbalists, herb sellers and the elderly, who have privileged information on the plants used in the treatment of measles among children were encountered during the survey. In all, 23 plant species belonging to 18 Angiosperm families were said to possess curative properties for the cure of measles among the local populace. Amongst the most frequently used plants are Elytraria marginata, Peperomia pellucida, Vernonia amygdalina, Momordica charantia, Newbouldia laevis, and Ocimum gratissimum.
The most frequently mentioned family is Cucurbitaceae. The mode of preparation and recommended dosages are enumerated in this paper. The results of the study call for an urgent need of the introduction of a strategy for the conservation of indigenous medicinal plants in the area.
Nigerian researchers have also assessed the effectiveness of Bambusa vulgaris (bamboo) and Aframomum melegueta (alligator pepper) against three human viruses namely: measles, yellow fever and polio.
The study was carried out by scientists from the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The study was documented in the July 2009 edition of the African Journal of Plant Science.
Using alcoholic extracts of these plants, the scientists found that B. vulgaris can help in the prevention of measles while A. melegueta would work both for measles and yellow fever viruses.
In carrying out the study, the scientists collected the leaves of these plants, dried and powdered them before going on to soak them in 80 per cent ethanol for five days. These were then filtered and the ethanol evaporated off to produce dried extracts of the plant. The extracts were then tried on micro-organisms that cause measles, yellow fever and polio.
According to the study, “the outcome of the antiviral screenings of A. melegueta and B. vulgaris was impressive as the extracts possess activity against two of the viruses which were tested; measles and yellow fever.”
They declared that it was interesting to attempt to correlate the traditional applications of the plant extracts with the micro-organisms that caused measles and yellow fever. It was declared that the potency of these plants in the treatment of yellow fever and measles most probably was due to the phytochemicals, group of chemical substances, in the plants. Such phytochemicals include tannin, phenolic compounds, saponins and flavonoids. These chemical substances are known to activate the white blood cells of the body to fight disease causing germs and at the same time prevent these germs developing resistance and multiplying in number. Based on their finding, they recommended that application of extracts from these plants could help in the treatment of measles and yellow fever infections.
Previous studies had shown that the rhizome, leaves, fruits and seeds of alligator pepper could be used to cure worms, small pox, chicken pox, catarrh, congested chest, fractures, hypertension and cholera.
The researchers indicate that the fruits and seeds are commonly used as an ingredient of many local herbal preparations. According to The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa by H. M. Burkill, “the fruits of alligator pepper are usually used as stimulants, carminatives and in vermifuge, especially among the Ijaws. The powdered rhizome with table salt is specially given as vermifuge for round worms. The decoction of the leaves together with the leaves of Momordica charantia and Sorghum arundinaceum cereal in local dry gin (alcohol) is recommended to be taken one dose daily against cholera.
“The decoction of the leaves is used for small pox and chicken pox. When the decoction of the leaves is mixed with leaves of lime, lemon grass and mango it is used as remedy for catarrh while the steam from the decoction is inhaled for congested chest.”
Burkill reported that Peperomia pellucida (cow-foot) is used as medicine in diarrhoea, dysentery; naso-pharyngeal affections; paralysis, epilepsy, convulsions, spasm; pulmonary troubles; skin, mucosae; tumours, cancers.
Momordica charantia of Cucurbitaceae family is used for malaria, fever, as laxative, for diarrhoea, high blood pressure, dysentery, and gonorrhoea.
The leaves of smooth Newbouldia laevis are squeezed and the extract use to treat eye problems. Roots, barks and leaves are used during childbirth, constipation and on septic wounds. Decoction of the leaves is used to treat sore eye, young fresh leaves are used to cure eye inflammation and redness and the leaves are used for the treatment of ear pain. The leaves are squeezed and the juice from it is dropped into the eye and the young fresh leaves are crushed in little amount of water and the extract is dropped into the eye to cure eye inflammation and redness and the leaves are heated and became weak and squeezed. The juice from it is dropped into the ear against ear pain; one drop, twice daily.
Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) leaves are used locally for soup. It is also used to treat cases of stomach upset and diarrhea. The scent leaf plant is considered digestive, tonic, and stimulant. The plant is considered carminative and aphrodisiac and used to treat diseases of the brain, heart, liver and spleen, to relief griping and piles. A decoction of the leaves is considered a useful remedy for gonorrhoea and for seminal weakness.
Peperomia pellucida leaves extracts are a natural alternative for commonly used anti-biotics like Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Roxithromycin and Penicillin derivatives. Peperomia pellucida leaves extracts are reportedly devoid of the usual side effects associated with conventional anti-biotics like gastric irritation and resistance. Peperomia pellucida leaves extracts are successfully used to treat measles.
“Boil 50 grams of Peperomia pellucida aerial shoots in 250 ml of water for 30 minutes. Strain and drink the Peperomia pellucida aerial shoot extracts twice daily for week. The symptoms of infectious condition associated with measles is reduced in a week and complete relief is afforded using Peperomia pellucida aerial shoot extracts.
No specific precaution needs to be followed while using this treatment.”
Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida Linn.) a.k.a. Ulasiman-Bato
- By Victor P. Dumlao (attechno-Medicine News)
Pansit-pansitan (family: Piperaceae) is an herbal medicine also known as Ulasiman-bato, olasiman-ihalas & tangon-tangon in the Philippines. English name: peperomia. It is a small herb that grows from 1 to 1 1/2 feet. Pansit-pansitan can be found wild on lightly shaded and damp areas such as nooks, walls, yards and even roofs.
Pansit-pansitan has heart shaped leaves, succulent stems with tiny flowers on a spike. When matured, the small fruits bear one seed which fall of the ground and propagate. The leaves and stalk of pansit-pansitan are edible. It can be harvested, washed and eaten as fresh salad. Taken as a salad,
pansit-pansitan helps relive rheumatic pains and gout. An infusion or decoction (boil 1 cup of leaves/stem in 2 cups of water) can also be made and taken orally - 1 cup in the morning and another cup in the evening.
For the herbal treatment of skin disorders like abscesses, pimples and boils, pound the leaves and/or the stalks and make a poultice (boil in water for a minute or two then pounded) then applied directly to the afflicted area. Likewise a decoction can be used as a rinse to treat skin disorders.
For headaches, heat a couple of leaves in hot water, bruise the surface and apply on the forehead. The decoction of leaves and stalks is also good for abdominal pains and kidney problems. Like any herbal medicine it is not advisable to take any other medication in combination with any herbs. Consult with a medical practitioner knowledgeable in herbal medicine before any treatment.
Pansit-pansitan is used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of:
- • Arthritis
- • Gout
- • Skin boils, abscesses, pimples
- • Headache
- • Abdominal pains
- • kidney problems
Peperomia pellucida, an Amazing Wild Medicinal Herb
- By Dr. M. P. Mishra
Peperomia pellucida the plant of immense medicinal value, is variously known in different Indian and other languages. Its names in Sanskrit are Toyakandha and Varshabhoo. In Malayalam it is known as Mashitandu chedi. In Philippines it is known as Ulasiman-bato, Olasiman-ihalas, and Tangontagon. it is known as càng cua (Vietnam); pak krasang (Thailand); suna kosho (Japan); rangu-rangu, ketumpangan ortumpang angin (Bahasa/Malay).
Distribution Peperomias are Herbs of tropical and subtropical regions. Most of them occur in Central and Northern South America. Fewer species are known from Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Different endemic species are known from the islands of the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. It has been reported that Peperomia is native to tropical America and Asia. It is well represented and naturalized in India too.
Although a lot of them grow as epiphytes in rainforest habitats, others are succulents found in the high Andes. It can be found in lightly shaded and damp areas such as nooks, walls, yards, and even on roofs. Peperomia is the largest genus of the family of the Piperaceae.
The Plant Now, two types of Peperomias are seen in my area – P. obtusifolia and P. pellucida. It belongs to the family Peperomiaceae. Some researchers have reported that there are following types of Peperomias – (i).Cupid Peperomias (P. scandens variegate) (ii).Creeping Peperomias (P. prostrata) (iii).Watermelon Peperomias (P. arqueir) (IV).Baby rubber plant (P. clusifolia) (v).Desert privet (P. magnoliafolia variegate) Peperomias can grow anywhere in filtered light conditions. The plant grown just anywhere may be contaminated by aerial and soil pollutant like human and animal excrement. It is reported that unfinished concrete block fences that often remain damp are favourite habitats of this herb. It can be used for brewing and healing purposes after being ensured that it is free from contaminants.
The plant has a threadlike but angular trailing stem. Those growing in rich habitats do have fleshy and stout stems. Its leaves are blunt, heart shaped and in good habitats it grows as a long shrubby looking creeping cover or as an epiphyte. The elongated stems look like a vine with leaves rising 6 to 9 cm above the surface. Both leaves and stems have shiny waxy surfaces.
The foliage of the plant looks ornamental. It has been reported to be a tropical perennial. It usually does not exceed 12” in height. Flowers are tiny and unnoticeable and grow in the form of a cord like spike. Inflorescence consists of compact, erect spikes of minute creamy white flowers. Some of Peperomias are epiphytes growing on rotten logs. These have thick angular stems and fleshy leaves. Most Peperomias have tiny flowers which are packed in a characteristic greenish or brown conical spike like an inverted catkin. A few species have more attractive flowers such as white scented clusters of spikes produced by P. fraseri from Ecuador.
Some species are popular house plants. A variety of cultivars of Peperomia caperata with attractively marked foliage are widely available through horticultural trade, and varieties of compact Peperomias can sometimes be found among selection of plants intended for bottle gardens.
Fruits remain tiny, dot like smooth, and oval. These develop partially embedded in the spike with their hooked beaks protruding outside.
Peperomias have long profile in succulent society of plants. However, several species are succulent and form tubers. P. campylotrapa is a deciduous tuber forming plant found in the cooler regions of Mexico. After flowering, the aerial growth dies away and the tuber can survive long periods of drought. P. macrorhiza which is found in Peru and P. monticola which is found in Mexico form a large group and can be of interest for plant collectors. About 1000 species of Peperomias have so far been described mainly from South America. About 17 of these are reported to be found in Africa, and similar or less number has been reported from Asia.
Rotting, ring spots manifested as distorted foliage with chlorotic or necrotic rings that are found on the leaves. This disease can be caused by cucumber mosaic virus and the only treatment is to destroy the infected parts. Many Peperomias can be propagated by leaves, or tip cutting, although the variegated and succulent species grow mainly by tip cuttings.
Traditional and Ethno- herbological Uses of the Plant Ayurveda recommends the whole Peperomia plant as medicinal. It is described in Ayurveda as – Rasa – Katu and Madhur; Guna- Lakhu, rooksha, Teekshna; and Virya- Ushna. The plant is described to passify vitiated cough, pitta, constipation, kidney diseases, urinary retention, disuria, urinary tract infections, emaciation, edema and general weakness.
Through a detailed study of various aspects of the plant, it has been found that it has a long and rich history of medicinal applications across American and Asian countries. Ethno-botanical studies of the plant reveal that the whole plant has been in medicinal use since long. It is crushed and mixed with water to form a mixture, heated and administered orally to cure hemorrhage. In Bolivia, a decoction of root has been used for the treatment of fevers. The extract of the aerial part of the plant has been reported to be applied to cure wounds. Mufioz et al. (2000) have studied natural bioactive compounds in the extract of Peperomia in Bolivia through multidisciplinary approach. They have evaluated and found that the plant extract if administered orally for a certain period can cure malaria. Khan and Omoloso have studied anti bacterial activities of P. pellucida and they have confirmed that the plant extract has anti-microbial properties.
P. pellucida has been used for curing various types of ailments in the past. Still it is used for the treatment of abdominal pain, acne, boils, colic, gout, head ache, renal disorders, rheumatic pain, breast cancer, impotence, mental disorders, and even small pox. It has also been eaten raw or cooked to eat for the treatment of rheumatic pain. Aziba et al. have studied the analgesic activity of the extract of upper or the aerial part of the plant. The plant has been in use to lower cholesterol level in blood in the Northeastern Brazil. On the other hand it has been in use to treat protein urea and other urinary disorders. In the region of Amazon, it is in use as cough suppressant, diuretic and for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia. Dos Santos et al. (2004) have studied the oil extracted from different species of Peperomia in Brazilian Atlantic forests. Fatima et al. have studied the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Peperomias. Thus, the ethno- botanical practices popular in different parts of the world have already been tested and confirmed by various researchers from time to time.
Infusion and decoction of leaves and stems of fresh plant are eaten as salad for the treatment of gout and arthritis. Various studies have confirmed the traditional knowledge that the extract of the plant is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, depressant of Central Nervous System, antipyretic, and anti-bacterial.
Chemical compounds isolated from Peperomia pellucida Seeds of Peperomia pellucida yield an essential oil. This oil has been reported to contain as many as 71 chemical compounds. Major chemical constituents of the essential oil are sesquiterpenes.A number of chemical compounds have been isolated by different workers from time to time. Some major categories of compounds isolated from the plant body of different species of Peperomia are Flavonoides like acacetin, apigenin, isovitexin, and Pellucidatin; Phytosterols like campesterol and stgmasterol; essential oils like hydrozylated sesquiterpene; carotol etc. The plant has also been reported to contain peperomines that are reported to have cytotoxic or anti-cancer properties. Besides these, the plant extract also contains Arylpropanoides like apiols having anti-fungal activities.
Medicinal Values of Peperomia pellucida Oral administration of the extract of Peperomia pellucida in rats has been confirmed (Arrigoni et al.2001, de Fatima et al.2004,) to interfere with the synthesis of Prostaglandin, thus acting as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Oral administration of the extract of P. pellucida in rats has been confirmed to cause analgesic activity (Aziba et al. 2001). Aziba et al. have worked on analgesic activity of Peperomia pellucida aerial parts in mice.
The extract of whole plant of Peperomia pellucida has been reported to check the growth of Chloroquine- resistant Plasmodium falciparum Indo- strain by 95%. It has also been reported that this type of extract causes total lyses of Leismania braziliensis, L.; L. donovani; and L. amazonensis (Munoz et al., Chan-Bacab et al. 2001).
Xu S et al. have studied the bioactive compounds from P. pellucida and have reported that the crude extract of the plant cause cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines HL-60, MCF-7 and HeLa.
Persons hyper sensitive to the plant may feel asthma like conditions due to strong mustard like odor of the plant.
Crude methanolic extracts of P. pellucida has been reported to show broad spectrum anti-microbial activity. Bojo et al. (1994) studied the anti-bacterial activity of the extract of P. pellucida using disc diffusion methods. Similar studies by Khan et al. (2002) also document similar results for the anti-microbial activity of P. pellucida extract against numerous species of bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus auren.
The chloroform extract from dried leaves of P. pellucida have been reported by Ragasa et al. (1998) to have antifungal activity against Trichophyton metagrophytes.
From the foregoing accounts it is evident that the plant Peperomia has immense medicinal values that demand further researches towards the development of safe and suitable medications for the treatment of pains, inflammations, stomach problems and even cancers. Suitable and safe medications can be prepared to treat bacterial and those caused by protozoa like malaria and other fevers. For this the plant should be grown on commercial basis and conserved in the wild.
In the current age of environmental pollution and habitat destruction herbs of immense medicinal values are being unknowingly destroyed by human activities. More extensive surveys of floras of different area, listing and investigations followed by repeated researches are essential to conserve the property hidden in the biodiversity of the world.
Pepper Elder (Peperomia pellucida) to Decrease Uric Acid Levels
- (Herbalzzz.com Admin)
A high uric acid level is usually because of the body either produces too much uric acid or the kidneys do not eliminate uric acid rapidly enough. It may, but not always, cause recurrent attacks of gout. A high uric acid level in the blood, or usually called hyperuricemic, may also cause some people to develop kidney stones or kidney failure and in some people may develop high blood pressure, heart disease or chronic kidney disease, though it is still unclear whether this is a direct cause or merely an early warning sign of these conditions.
High level of uric acid is usually treated with allopurinol. This medicine has been proven to be effective in inhibiting Xanthine Oxidase, a type of enzyme which helps in uric acid formation. Unfortunately, this medicine is likely to increases the risks of hepatitis and allergic reaction.
As an alternative, Pepper Elder (Peperomia pellucida) offers almost the same anti-hyperuricemic effect with little side effect. It has been proven through some in vitro studies in the Philippines, India and Indonesia. Besides, it has been ethno-medicinally used since long time ago.
To make a Pepper Elder decoction, prepare two fists of fresh Elder Pepper leaves and stems. Wash and bring to boil in 3 glasses of water. After boiling, simmer over low heat until the water is reduced to a half glasses. Allow it to cool and strain. Drink regularly every night before going to bed. See if there any progress after a week.
As a preventive measure, retard from purine-rich diet such as organ meat, game meat, anchovies, herring, gravy, dried beans, dried peas, mushrooms and other foods is among many factors causing high level of uric acid. It is also suggested to drink plenty of fluids to help flush uric acid from the body. Drink a minimum of 4 and ½ liters of water daily.
As mentioned above, Pepper Elder is relatively safe. However, those who have hypersensitivity reactions to the species is advised to be careful if using it, as it can cause asthma-like symptoms.
Local cures
- By Ana Marie Pamintuan (SKETCHES, The Philippine Star)
’Tis the season for binge eating, and also – as health experts warned – for getting sick. All those rich foods can lead to high blood pressure and stroke or heart attack, elevated blood sugar and numerous other afflictions from pigging out.
Holiday partying, drinking and lack of sleep, combined with the recent drop in temperatures, are also causing colds, whooping cough and fever. The approach of the New Year means worse air pollution, which can cause allergic rhinitis, skin rashes and conjunctivitis.
Treatments are readily available. But for millions of Filipinos, even over-the-counter generic drugs for common afflictions are a luxury they can’t afford.
Instead they turn to their villages’ medicinal lore: Philippine oregano for colds, unripe guava for amoebiasis and ordinary diarrhea.
With so many people swearing by the efficacy of folk medicine, there must be something to it. Some Spaniards, during the colonial period, documented indigenous plants with healing properties. During the American occupation, a research and development center studied Philippine plants for medicinal properties and other possible uses.
As Big Pharma will tell you, developing a single cure, from the start of R&D to the numerous tests until its approval for commercial release, can cost about $600 million. Only the multinationals, national governments and Bill and Melinda Gates have that kind of money to spend on R&D.
But surely R&D support, on a lower scale, is possible for our country to develop a local pharmaceutical industry that can compete with India.
We’re buying generics from India, and no wonder – that country has long regarded the pharmaceutical industry as an engine of economic growth, providing meaningful jobs and making health care accessible to its people.
While Big Pharma frowns on the start of the Indian pharmaceutical industry, which went around global patent regulations, the Indian industry has become the world’s third largest in terms of volume, earning billions of dollars annually for that country.
Because of government incentives, even small and medium enterprises are into pharmaceutical manufacturing in India. They’re ahead of us in this department by about four decades, but we can try catching up.
Being familiar with our own flora, we can have an edge over foreign pharmaceutical companies in R&D. And we may be able to develop cures for tropical illnesses faster.
If dengue afflicted people in the temperate zones, for example, a vaccine might have been developed decades ago. Sanofi-Pasteur has developed a dengue vaccine, but its targeted 2015 rollout is still fraught with complications.
These days the multinationals are rushing to produce a vaccine for Ebola as the killer disease threatens to become a global pandemic.
Our rich biodiversity offers immense possibilities for medicine. One example: a woman who visited her family last month in a typhoon-hit village in the Visayas returned to Manila with a burning itch in her upper arm. She suspected that she got a viral infection from bathing in water drawn from a communal well.
A friend whose mother moonlights as a village herbalist in another province advised the woman to gather a few malunggay leaves, pound them into a paste and apply it on the itchiest part, which was raw from too much scratching. The woman did, and felt instant relief.
She also followed the advice to wash the infected arm regularly with water in which malunggay leaves have been steeped. The itchiness disappeared in a few days.
Malunggay or moringa oleifera, indigenous to northwestern India, is now widely used here, in dried or powdered form, as an ingredient in food products including bread and biscuits. Water infused with malunggay has long been used in rural areas as a substitute for infant milk. Mothers eat the leaves or sip soup with malunggay to increase lactation. Recently, health officials said it could increase sperm production.
But its other uses are still little known. The woman’s friend learned that moringa is effective for itching and healing wounds after seeing another woman use malunggay paste on a pet dog that had also scratched an itchy part raw. The paste must’ve stung because the dog whimpered as it was applied, but the raw area healed rapidly and the fur grew back quickly.
With sufficient state support or endowments from the private sector, malunggay can be developed into an affordable external antiseptic. And we have, for sure, several other plant species that can be used for biopharmaceuticals.
Indians have been using various parts of the neem tree, now widely propagated here, as a mosquito repellent, antiseptic and ingredient in soap and beauty products. They use it against termites and cockroaches. Its leaves, used as tea, are believed to be good for afflictions including hypertension and high blood sugar.
These are still little known here. But Pinoy diabetics swear by the efficacy of ampalaya or bitter gourd – both the fruit and leaves – in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.
People familiar with folk medicine in their villages have long known about the properties of madre de cacao or kakawate. Local manufacturers at least have tapped this plant – not particularly attractive and regarded as a weed in urban areas – for producing dog soap for use specifically against fleas and skin infections.
Filipino men also know that guava leaves, pounded into a pulp, speed up the healing of the newly circumcised.
The world is just starting to discover the healthful properties of virgin coconut oil.
Local tea and wine makers are now selling products made from banaba (for kidney ailments), duhat (for diabetes), sambong or Blumea camphor (for kidney stones) and lagundi – long used for easing fever, coughs and colds.
During rainy days there is an abundance of pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida), which people with gout gather and steep with pandan leaves to make tea.
These days mangosteen and guyabano are being sold in pureed form or as tea. With sufficient R&D support, their purported anti-cancer properties can be backed by something more than anecdotal evidence.
The Department of Health has endorsed 10 medicinal herbs under its Traditional Health Program. These are ampalaya, guava, lagundi, sambong, pansit-pansitan, akapulko for ringworm and eczema, garlic for its anti-cancer and anti-hypertensive properties, niyog-niyogan or Chinese honeysuckle for eliminating intestinal parasites, tsaang gubat or wild tea for skin afflictions, and yerba buena or peppermint as an analgesic and for insect bites.
There must be over a thousand other Philippine plants out there, just waiting to be developed for public health.
Pictures of Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) - Peperomia pellucida
- Pictures taken by Frank Maletsky
Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) - Peperomia pellucida
Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) - Peperomia pellucida
Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) - Peperomia pellucida
Shiny Bush (Pansit-pansitan) - Peperomia pellucida
Has analgesic properties
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