Miracle plants and other modern-day complementary medicine
It will be wise to take a look back at our traditions in medicine—backed by hundreds of years of lore and experience, and consider its advantages over modern pharmacology.
Niyog-niyugan plant and a cup of Ampalaya tea
Published in the print and online version of the Philippine Panorama.
https://newsbits.mb.com.ph/2016/11/27/miracle-plants-and-other-modern-day-complementary-medicine/
ALONG WITH huge technological advancements in mainstream medicine and healthcare comes a revisit to alternative medicine. So if modern medicine is the only way in understanding our bodies, why do we sometimes revert to traditional ways like faith healing, alternative “Quiapo” medicine, East Asian medications, and complementary medicine? Is it because we want to deviate from the norm, and try other methods? Or is it because we never stop hoping?
The Philippines is a potpourri of various cultures, and peoples, each with a unique belief system that has been molded by environmental stimuli. Now imagine all these and their traditions and beliefs in medicine, permeating into present society—you have an entire culture of medicine grounded on pre-colonial, Chinese, Christian, Islamic, Spanish, and even American influences (see snake oil). There are modern emergences of alternative medicine as well, like non-clinical electrotherapy, yoga, modern chiropractic, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, and therapeutic massage.
Before we delve further into complementary medicine, we first glance at how hospital care is in the Philippines, and how it could be in the future.
With the slow but gradual increase in use of 3D printing technology, we see a future where there are more specialized and custom medical equipment for the recovery of patients—think of custommade wheelchairs, custom prosthetics, or beds, that instead of waiting long for months for a special prosthesis, it can immediately be “printed” and assembled in the hospital.
Not to mention telemedicine—the use of telecommunications technology to monitor and diagnose patients within and outside the hospital—is getting more sophisticated and more in use everywhere. In fact, with the ubiquity of smartphones and apps, medical personnel like doctors, nurses, and medical technologists can now coordinate and communicate more efficiently than ever before. Other medical breakthroughs in conventional medicine include new treatments for cancer like immunotherapy, new medications for serious illnesses once thought to be incurable like Hepatitis-C, and HIV-AIDS.
Alternative medicine doesn’t necessarily mean it is false. Alternative medicine is also known as complementary medicine—procedures and medications aimed at assisting conventional medicine, especially in post-treatment and recovery, while not completely scientifically proven to be therapeutic, does relieve patients from other pains and stresses. Complementary medicine is especially encouraged in palliative care, as ways to minimize pain and improve well-being for terminally or seriously ill patients.
It also gives patients the freedom to opt for another functional albeit less effective remedy, which is why complementary healing methods widely known to at least give relief to patients are neither encouraged nor discouraged by healthcare professionals. And although not verified on a proper scientific process of research and observation before, oral tradition, hundreds of years of trial and error, and lore can attest to its authentic effectivity, especially for Filipino herbal medicine.
Top 10 medicinal herbs in the country
Luckily, herbal medicine, along with other complementary forms of healthcare in the Philippines, is taken seriously as a measure to assist conventional medicine in the “prevention, diagnosis and elimination of physical or mental disorders.” In fact, the Traditional and Alternative Health Care Act of 1997 (TAMA) was enacted creating the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC), which is also a Department of Health (DOH) attached agency, to “encourage scientific research on the development of traditional and healthcare systems that have direct impacts on public health care.”
This objective of PITAHC is primarily done through the creation, verification, packaging, quality control, and dissemination of pharmaceutical products considered outside conventional medicine. Other activities include the promotion of therapeutic physical activities and practices within complementary medicine like yoga, massage, and cupping therapy.
What does this mean? It means that alternative medicine is embedded into contemporary Filipino culture, considering its bureaucratization, and is not disregarded by conventional medicine. Even before TAMA, the late senator and physician, Juan Flavier, launched the Traditional Medicine Program in 1992 of the DOH, which aimed to promote the use of traditional medicine, its regulation, and quality control. It will also tell us that we, as Filipinos, have always been inclined toward the use of traditional medicine, and our history will tell us of the prevalence of arbularyos, babaylan, and mumbakis. Aside from the government, some leading private hospitals, too, in the Philippines even include optional complementary medicine as part of the patient’s recovery process.
While there are more than 1,500 species of herbs considered as medicine in the Philippines, there are 10 considered by the DOH as having the most medicinal value in terms of relief and treatment, according to clinical tests and studies.
Ringworm Bush
Known as akapulko or bayabas-bayabasan, named so for its similarity to the leaves of the bayabas tree, only smaller, the Ringworm Bush is very common throughout the Philippines, and even in the grassy undeveloped lots of the cities. It is also known by several names like katanda, andadasi in Luzon. It has two uses: for the treatment of various skin diseases like eczema, ringworms, insect bites, and itchiness. When drunk as tea or concentrate, it is also especially effective in treating cough, fever, reduction of asthma, as a laxative, and as a purgative as well.
Ampalaya
Ampalaya, or bitter gourd, is a miracle vegetable and herb, not only is it a very healthy vegetable for consumption, because of its richness in vitamins, iron, folic acid, and calcium, but it is also an effective herbal medicine because of the high presence of momorcidin. Drunk as tea, ampalaya may alleviate coughs, act as a purgative, ease, and cure diarrhea, and alleviate the symptoms and effects of diabetes. An inclusion of ampalaya into one’s diet may prevent some types of cancer. Taken as concentrate, ampalaya may also help lower blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and reduce some other diseases’ symptoms like rheumatism, gout, and liver cirrhosis. Powdered ampalaya also acts as an antiseptic for open wounds, certain skin diseases, and burns.
Garlic
Known as bawang in the Philippines, garlic juice can be used to treat inflammation, as a disinfectant and antiseptic to open wounds because it is an effective inhibitor of yeast growth. It also relieves rheumatism pain, can be used to remedy coughs and colds, lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, as well as prevent other heart ailments. Other remedies of garlic are for toothaches, sore throat, other bodily pains, and nasal decongestion.
Guava
Also known as bayabas in the Philippines, guava is an effective astringent and antiseptic. Its acidity is potent enough to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. Guava is a ubiquitous plant, which can be easily grown throughout the country.The bark of the guava tree and its leaves, when drunk as tea, can alleviate stomach problems, haemorrhages, dysentery, muscular, and renal inflammations. Guava is also used for the alleviation of hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, and can also be used to induce menstruation.When chewed, guava can also ease toothaches.
Lagundi
Before manufactured cough medicine, lagundi was the primary remedy of not a few Filipinos for coughs, colds, fever, and other pulmonary ailments like pharyngitis, and asthma. Beyond lung-related ailments, lagundi is also used to alleviate the effects of an allergic reaction, diarrhea, and as a purgative. When used topically, it is proven to ease the symptoms and pains of chickenpox, boils, and ringworms. Lagundi is also popular today as a manufactured medication, in the form of pills or capsules.
Niyog-Niyogan
The niyog-niyogan or Rangoon Creeper is a vine that can easily be grown within homes. While its seeds have been proven effective by the DOH as an anti-parasitic remedy, the niyog-niyogan’s leaves, drunk as tea, are particularly effective as a purgative as well. The niyog-niyogan is also used to alleviate indigestion, flatulence, and stomach pains.
Sambong
In Visayas, sambong is known as bukadkad, and in Ilocos, it is known as subsob. While its leaves, when boiled and drunk, are particularly effective as a diuretic—helps increase urine, and the elimination of kidney stones, thereby aiding the kidneys against renal disorders, sambong is also used for diarrhea, dysentery, sore throat, colds, fevers, as a purgative, and for headaches, and digestive problems.
Tsaang Gubat shrub
Tsaang Gubat
Literally forest tea, tsaang gubat is also known as putputai in Bicol, alibunog in the Visayas, and maragued in Ilocos, and has been proven to cure stomach pains, intestinal motility, gastroenteritis, heart burn, and dysentery. Fortunately, tsaang gubat is manufactured in capsules, tablets, and tea bags, making it available throughout the country. Tsaang gubat can also promote good health as a dietary supplement.
Pansit-pansitan leaves
Pansit-Pansitan
Also known as ulasiman-bato or tangon-tangon, the pansit-pasitan is effective in the treatment of arthritis, gouts, and abdominal pains. The plant can also be used topically to remove pimples, rashes and itchiness.
Peppermint
Known as yerba buena in the Philippines, aside from being a breath freshener and mouthwash, peppermint is also used for stomachaches from overeating, indigestion, arthritis, and as an antiseptic as well, when used topically.
Alternative healing practices
Some serious illnesses like cancer can take a toll on patients and families physically, emotionally, and psychologically—this is where palliative medicine steps in. Palliative medicine and healthcare is another specialized profession and is also a growing field in the Philippines—it focuses on providing relief for people with serious, and often, terminal illnesses. Palliative medicine can be achieved only through a multi-disciplinary approach which combines scientific medical practice with psychology, social work, and often, complementary medicine. It is similar to holistic medicine.
Pallative care also focuses on the social aspect of providing emotional relief to family members and friends of a terminally or seriously ill patient. The end goal is to minimize pain and maximize well-being for patients. When conventional medicine has reached its limits, alternative, or complementary medicine steps in.
But beyond palliative care, one may also opt for various complementary procedures, which may add to patient’s overall comfort as well. Some practices in complementary medicine have already been systematized, with a set of philosophies governing each practice.
Yoga and meditation
This Hindu religious tradition has been translated into the Western lifestyle of maintaining a mentally and physically sound body through meditation and exercise. Currently, yoga is popular all over the world, including the Philippines, where some schools and companies even have yoga clubs. In palliative care, yoga, along with other similar mental-physical activities like tai-chi and falun gong, is encouraged. In fact, the Mayo Clinic in the US recommends yoga for terminally ill patients for pain, stress, and anxiety. Yoga is also a proper practice for the maintenance of health and well-being.
Chiropractic healing
Chiropractic is an especially effective treatment for bodily pains and stress, sometimes, in lieu of taking medication like painkillers. While the original chiropractic, with its methods and diagnosis techniques, is now considered pseudo-science, modern chiropractors are licensed medical professionals who have gone through chiropractic schools, or through specialized chiropractic education from being licensed physical therapists (PTs) or occupational therapists (OTs). Chiropractic is strictly regulated, and only licensed medical professionals are allowed to perform the practice. Modern chiropractic is a musculoskeletal and nervous method that aligns and relieves the patient of bodily pains primarily located in the spinal area in the back. Modern chiropractic, however, retains some philosophy from the original practice, which is to restore the original alignment of the spine to provide overall bodily relief. There are many chiropractic centers in the Philippines currently, and are often headed by American or Australian practitioners.
Colon Irrigation and Hydrotherapy
Colon irrigation is the detoxification of the colon by the use of water, sometimes filled with medications. Decades before, some practices of colon irrigation have led to metabolic and gastrointestinal injuries, leading it to be banned in some places in the US. While not prevalent in the Philippines, currently, the practice is limited to a lifestyle of increased consumption of water to improve gastrointestinal health, renal health, and detoxification. Hydrotherapy, on the other hand, uses hot or warm water for pain relief, especially for recovering patients, to stimulate the nervous and circulatory system. This is especially true because physical and occupational therapists use this method, alongside conventional medical practices and calisthenics, for patients suffering from paralysis to stimulate touch and movement, and eventually, even restore it. Hydrotherapy may also provide bodily and mental relief for terminally ill patients.
Electrotherapy
Ever since man has discovered the ways to control and produce power, electricity has been used in various fields, including medicine. Electrotherapy is the use of controlled electrical currents in the treatment of various illnesses, especially in musculoskeletal and nerve problems. The idea behind this method is that electrical currents stimulate the nervous system and blood to increase mobility of the cells, thus improving blood flow and metabolism. In other words, blood and nerve cells are literally jolted into being faster. The American Physical Therapy Association acknowledges the effectiveness of electrical stimulation for pain management, improvement of motor control and movements, digestion, renal health, and even tissue repair. There are also commercial electrotherapeutic devices for the parts of the body like for feet, the neck and back, widely available in the Philippines.
Therapeutic massage
Similar to chiropractic healing, therapeutic massage is a lighter method of relieving pain and stress, and, eventually, attaining mental recovery through muscular stimulation in the form of massage, medicinal tea drinking, and aromatherapy. Therapeutic massage is the most common form of complementary medicine and is also encouraged by conventional medicine that some hospitals in the Philippines even have massage centers, or departments dedicated to complementary medicine. Therapeutic massage is also effective in the Philippines, considering the wide variety of medicinal herbs and teas available, which can be included in the therapy.
From the state of things, herbal and complementary medicine in the Philippines is not seen to fade, as it has been an exponent of our culture as a once-animistic and skeptical people, considering that now, some of these herbal medicines and practices have been proven scientifically today. It will be wise to take a look back sometimes at our traditions in medicine—backed by hundreds of years of lore and experience, and consider its pros against modern pharmacology—which is often seen as expensive, comes mostly with unpleasant side effects, and sometimes, ineffective. Medicine evolves in two ways: the unconventional and the conventional, but both ways sometimes work together to fulfill their original goal—to alleviate human suffering.
