Category Archives: Home Remedies and Medicinal Uses of Plants

Home Remedies for a Toothache

A toothache is any pain in or about a tooth. There are many toothache relief in the market but if you wanted to try the indigenous way, you can apply the methods below using herbal treatments, a natural help for a toothache.

Water Treatments

  1. Brush teeth every after meals. Massage gums with clean fingers after brushing.
  2. Apply ice pack or ice compress for swollen gums and cheeks for 30 minutes, 3 times a day.
  3. These treatments are for temporary relief only. See the dentist for proper treatment of cavities.

Remedies for Toothache | Herbal Medications

  1. Abukado seed ( English: Avocado )
    • Slice a small piece that will fit into the tooth cavity. Place as filling inside the cavity. Renew fillings 2 times a day.
  2. Bawang fillings( English: Garlic)
    • Slice a small piece, enough to fit the tooth cavity. Place inside the cavity as filling. Renew the fillings, 2 times a day.
  3. Kataka-takaleaves(Scientific name: Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.; English: Life plant)
    • Crush young kataka-taka leaves. Apply directly on swollen face.
  4. Herba Buena leaves (Scientific name: Mentha cordifolia Opiz; English: Marsh mint)
    • Pound fresh leaves and extract the juice. Moisten a small piece of clean cotton with the juice. Place moist cotton inside the cavity as filling.
    • Note: These medications are only temporary relief of toothache due to cavities. See the dentist for proper treatment.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

Home Remedy for Sunburn | Prickly Heat Treatment

Sunburn or erythema is a redness of the skin occurring in patches of variable sizes and shapes due to excessive exposure to sunlight.

How to Heal a Sunburn | Water Treatments

  1. Starch bath daily for 3-5 days.
  2. Bathe with rain water. Powder with starch or gawgaw after the bath.

How to Heal a Sunburn | Herbal Treatments

  1. Alusiman leaves (Scientific name: Portulaca olearacea L.; English: Purslane)
    • Extract juice from the leaves. Apply on the prickly heat after the starch bath.
  2. Bayabas leaves (Scientific name: Psidium guajava L.; English: Guava)
    • If there is infection, boil 1 cup of chopped leaves in one gallon of water. Add 2 gallons of cold water. Bathe with this decoction.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

Home Remedy for Head Lice

Lice (“kuto”) is a small, wingless, flattened insect which produces irritating dermatitis on the scalp. There are ways how to prevent head lice like avoiding contact with people with lice or borrowing combs with an infected individual. But if you already have one, below are steps on getting rid of head lice.

Getting Rid of Head Lice

  1. Shampoo hair with gugo ( Scientific name: Entada Phaseikaudes K Meer) bark or any commercial shampoo.
  2. Immediately after the shampoo, comb hair with fine comb (“suyod”) to remove the live lice.
  3. If possible, shampoo every day for one week and comb hair with fine comb twice a day.
  4. To get rid of the nits (lice eggs), wet hair with hot vinegar for half an hour before the shampoo. Then, comb hair with fine comb thoroughly.
  5. At bedtime, pound 1/2 cup of atis seeds. Mix it with 1/4 cup of oil. Apply thoroughly the oil-and-atis-seed mixture over the scalp and hair. Wrap the hair and head with a piece of clean cloth and leave it on overnight. Shampoo the next morning and comb hair with fine comb.
  6. Do this treatment daily for 3-5 days or until all lice and nits are gone. Destroy or kill the lice and nits as soon as they are removed from the hair and head.
  7. Always keep hair clean and well combed. Don’t use the comb of other persons. Don’t sleep with an individual infested with lice.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

Home Remedies for Human Worm Infestation

Ascaris and other parasitic worms infest the intestines and cause malnutrition in children.

Preventive Measures

  1. Give daily bath to children and babies.
  2. Wash hands with soap and water before eating.
  3. Wash with soap and water or disinfect fruits and vegetables eaten raw like duhat, sineguelas, guava and vegetable salads.
  4. Cut fingernails short.
  5. Instruct children not to put fingers in the mouth.
  6. Encourage children and everyone to wear slippers and shoes at all times, specially when walking on the ground.
  7. Maintain a clean environment. Keep the house clean. Teach children to use the toilet.

How Do I Get Rid of Ascaris Parasites Using Herbal Treatments

For Ascaris Worm or Trichina Worm:

  1. Ipil-ipil seeds (Scientific name: Leucaena glauca L.)
    For Children: Eat the seeds of 5 fresh pads raw. Repeat after one week, if there are no results.
    For Children and adults: Cook 1 cup dried seeds in frying pan without oil. Do not burn seeds. Pulverize.Mix with milk or water.
    Dosage:
    Adults: 1 teaspoon; 2 hours after supper.
    Children: (7-9 yrs) 1/4 teaspoon, 2 hours after supper.
    (10-12 yrs) 1/2 teaspoon, 2 hours after supper.
    Note: Dosage may be repeated after one week if needed.
  2. Papaya seeds (Scientific name: Carica Papaya; English: Pawpaw, papaya)
    • Dry a cup od seeds and pulverize. Mix with 1 cup milk or water.
      Dosage:
      Adults: 1 teaspoon; 2 hours after supper.
      Children: (7-9 yrs) 1/4 teaspoon, 2 hours after supper.
      (10-12 yrs) 1/2 teaspoon, 2 hours after supper.
      Note: Dosage may be repeated after one week if needed.
  3. Akapulko seeds (Scientific name: Cassia alata L.; English: Ringworm bush or shrub)
    • Cook a cup of dried seeds in frying pan without oil. Pulverize. mix with 1 cup milk or water.
      Dosage:
      Adults: 1 teaspoon; 2 hours after supper.
      Children: (7-9 yrs) 1/4 teaspoon, 2 hours after supper.
      (10-12 yrs) 1/2 teaspoon, 2 hours after supper.
      Note: Dosage may be repeated after one week if needed.

Pin Worm Treatment:

  1. Niyog-niyogan seeds (Scientific name: Quisqualis indica L.; English: Burma cruper)
    • Eat raw 2 hours after supper. repeatr after one week if needed.
      Dosage:
      Adults: 10 seeds
      Children: (4-7 yrs) 4 seeds.
      (8-9 yrs) 6seeds.
      (10-12 yrs) 7seeds.
  2. Pineapple fruit, ripe
    • Eat 2-3 slices with every meal for one week.
      Note: When pinworms come out at night, wet cotton with oil and remove pinworm with cotton soaked in oil. Change the bed sheet, underwear and pajamas every night for one week.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

Home Remedies for Body Odor

Underarm or body odor is the unpleasant smell coming out of the underarms or armpits.

Water Treatments

  1. Daily bath with a clean change of clothing, including all underwear.
  2. Change clothes every time they get wet with perspiration. Better yet, take a bath with every change of clothing, if possible.
  3. Drink at least 6 glasses of water during waking hours.
  4. Avoid spicy foods. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Herbal Medications

  1. Tawas ( Alum ) with kalamansi juice mixture
    • Take a piece of solid tawas and pulverize it. Mix a tablespoon with the juice of 1 or 2 kalamansi.
  2. Buyo-kalamansi deodorant (Scientific name: Piper beetle L.; English: Betel Leaf Pepper)
    • Extract juice from buyo leaves ans mix with kalamansi juice. Apply as deodorant every after bath and at bedtime.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

StomatitisTreatment | Healing Sore Gums

Swollen gums or stomatitis is an inflammation of the soft tissues of the mouth.

Water Treatments

  1. Hot salt gargle, 3 times a day before meals.
  2. Massage gum with clean fingers every after hot salt gargle.
  3. Brush teeth with soft tooth brush. Brush teeth every after meals.
  4. Drink at least 4 glasses of fruit juice during the day.
  5. See the dentist for gum swelling and the physician for mouth infections.

Sore Gums Cure | Herbal Treatments

  1. Bayabas leaves decoction mouthwash. (Scientific name: Psidium guajava L.; English: Guava)
    • Boil one cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes. Strain and cool. Use the decoction for hot salt gargle or mouthwash every after meals.
  2. Bunga fruit mouthwash (Scientific name: Areca catechu L.; English: Betel-nut Palm)
    • Peel and chop 3 fruits and boil in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes. Use as mouthwash or hot bunga gargle.
  3. Kaymito leaves gargle (Scientific name: Chrysophyllum cainito L.; English: Star apple)
    • Boil 1 cup of,chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes. Use the decoction for mouthwash or gargle.
  4. Duhat leaves mouthwash (Scientific name: Syszygium jambolanum; English: Black plum, java plum)
    • Boil 1 0 chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes.Use the decoction for mouthwash or gargle.
  5. Talong leaves mouthwash. (Scientific name: Solanum melongena L. ; English: Eggplant)
    • Boil 3 chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes. Use the decoction for mouthwash or gargle.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

Treatment for Ankle Sprain | Wrist Sprain

A sprain is the wrenching of a joint, producing a stretching or laceration of the ligaments.

Water Treatments

  1. Ice pack on the ankle or wrist, 3 times a day immediately after the sprain.
  2. Cold compress on the ankle or wrist for 30 minutes, 3 times a day.
  3. Wrap ankle or wrist with elastic bandage after the ice pack.
  4. Rest the foot or arm for 3 days for severe swelling and pain.
  5. Consult the physician immediately for severe pain and swelling.

Herbal Medications

  1. Sabila leaves poultice (Scientific name: ALoe barbadensis Mill; English: Aloe vera)
    • Pound 2 to 3 fresh leaves. Apply directly as poultice on the ankle or wrist for 30 minutes, 3 times a day. Use bandage to hold poultice in place.
  2. Kamantigui stems and leaves poultice (Scientific name: Impatens balsamina L.; English: Touch me not balsam)
    • Pound 2 stems with leaves. Apply directly as poultice for 30 minutes, 3 times a day. Use bandage to hold the poultice in place.
  3. Kakawate leaves poultice (Scientific name: Gliridia sepium (Jacg.) Steud.)
    • Crush 1 0 leaves.Apply directly as poultice for 30 minutes, 3 times a day. Use bandage to hold the poultice in place.
  4. Mayana leaves poultice (Scientific name: Coeus blumei Benth)
    • Crush 10 leaves.Apply directly as poultice for 10 minutes, 3 times a day.
  5. Kataka-taka leaves poultice (Scientific name: Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.; English: Life plant)
    • Crush 10 leaves.Apply directly as poultice for 30 minutes, 3 times a day.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

Sore Throat Herbal Treatment

A sore throat is a congestion or inflammation in the throat due to tonsillitis, pharyngitis or laryngitis.

Water Treatments

  1. Hot salt gargle, 3 times a day. Before breakfast, before lunch, and at bedtime.
  2. Heating throat compress at bedtime. Leave it on until morning. Repeat procedure if the patient stays home in the morning.
  3. Steam inhalation, 2 times a day. In the morning before breakfast, and before bedtime after the hot salt gargle.
  4. If possible, rest the voice until the swelling or inflammation subsides.

Herbal Medications

  1. Luya or ginger lozenges (Scientific name: Zingiber officinale Roscoe; English: Ginger)
    • Wash and peel a small piece of ginger. F-I Chew slowly for a few minutes. Swallow the juice. Or, keep a small piece in the mouth, chewing it little by little.
  2. Sabila leaves (Scientific name: ALoe barbadensis Mill; English: Aloe vera)
    • Wash the leaf and cut in 1/2 inch sizes. Keep in the mouth all day, swallowing the juice. Take another piece when there is no more juice.
  3. Bawang lozenges (Scientific name: Allium sativum Linn.; English: Garlic)
    • Wash one piece and peel. Keep in the mouth for some time, chewing it slow. Swallow juice.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

First Aid for Snake Bites

Snake bites may be poisonous and can be fatal if nothing is done immediately.

First Aid

  1. Keep the patient still to slow down circulation.
  2. Incise the bitten area and let it bleed to remove the poison.
  3. Wrap a teaspoonful of salt in a handkerchief or a piece of cloth and moisten the salt with water. Apply it directly over the wound after the bleeding. Apply for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Bring the patient to the nearest hospital or clinic immediately.

Herbal Medications

  1. Adelfa leaves and branch poultice (Scientific name: Nerium Indicum Mil; English: Oleander)
    • Pound 10 leaves and a piece of branch. Apply directly on the wound after it has been bled.
  2. Kamantigui flowers poultice (Scientific name: Impatens balsamina L.; English: Touch me not balsam)
    • Crush about 10 flowers.Apply directly on the wound as poultice after it has been bled.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use

Home Remedies Dry Itchy Skin

An allergy is a condition of acquired specific alteration which may be caused by sensitization and reexposure to an allergen. Skin itchiness may be due to contact with allergen.

Water Treatments

  1. Starch bath. You may use cassava flour for this.
  2. Gawgaw or starch powder. Use as powder after the bath or at bedtime.

Herbal Medications

  1. Kakawate leaves (Scientific name: Gliridia sepium (Jacg.) Steud.)
    • Crush or chop young leaves and extract the juice.
  2. Kalatsutsi sap from leaves and trunk ( Scientific name: Plumeria acuminata Ait; English: Frangipani, Temple power, Graveyard flower)
    • Extract the sap or juice from the leaves and trunk. Mix with coconut oil.
  3. Kanya Pistula ( Golden Showers ) leaves (Scientific name: Cassia fistula L. ; English: Golden shower)
    • Crush young leaves. Rub the crushed leaves on the affected area until relieved from itchiness.

<= See More Herb Medicinal Use