CRAMPS

Medical science is amazing. We have eliminated killer diseases like small pox from the face of the earth, we can transplant organs into dying patients, and we have extended our lives almost two fold from just a short 100 years ago, but for all our medical knowledge one common affliction remains a mystery, cramps.

Most people who enjoy the outdoors have experienced cramps at one time or another, and they can figuratively and literally bring you to your knees. Medical science is not 100% sure what causes cramps, but do know what you can do to help prevent them and deal with them when you get one.

A cramp is when a muscle or group of muscles suddenly starts to spasm. The muscles in our body move our joints around by flexing and contracting, it is when a muscle spasms into the contracted state that we get a cramp. You may have been awoken in the middle of the night with a searing pain in your Achilles (the muscle behind your leg that runs from your ankle to the back of your knee) as this is a common cramp.

Medical science does know that there are three major factors that contribute to cramps, hydration, fatigue, and conditioning. Our body runs on a very complex system of chemical reactions. In the simplest form potassium and sodium molecules swap sides on the surface of a cell carrying poisons out and nutrients in. When we get dehydrated this process can slow and the poisons, including nitrogen get trapped in the cells.

Hydration is very simple to solve. Drink a lot of fluid. Under normal conditions you should drink about one quart of water for each hour of hiking or physical activity you are involved in, more under hot, cold, or extremely dry conditions and when at high altitude. You should also eat from 250 to 400 calories during that hour. Your water bottle in your pack does not help you reach this goal. Carry a water bottle with you where it is easily accessible or even better invest in a hydration pack that allows you to sip water at will. Non-carbonated sports drinks like Gatorade seem to help, although there is debate in medical society on how much benefit there is. Waiting to drink until you are thirsty is a bad approach, once you are thirsty, you are already getting dehydrated, and you are one step closer to getting cramps.

Fatigue seems to also contribute to cramps. Dr. Martin P. Schwellnus MSc from the University of Cape Town in South Africa established the theory that fatigue, not dehydration causes cramps, and his theory is gaining many supports in sports medicine circles. Sports medicine doctors have observed that athletes in the beginning of the season tend to have a lot more cramps then towards the end of the season. The conclusion is that they are less conditioned at the beginning of the season and more prone to fatigue. Most hikers who live in cold climates and get holed up in the winter seem to experience this same phenomenon.

Staying in shape and not over extending yourself is also sage advice when on the trail. A general recommendation is to walk one hour and rest fifteen minutes (a good time to eat those 250 to 400 calories too). If you are ascending up a steep grade for a long duration (like the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon or the Forty-Five on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire) you should ascend about 1,000 feet per hour, and rest fifteen minutes. Pay attention to your body, feeling tired, weak, nauseous, or thirsty are all signs you are getting fatigued.
Both circles of thought agree that stretching helps prevent cramps. Before any physical activity you should go through a series of stretches to warm up the muscles. Hikers in particular need to stretch the muscles in their legs, with special attention to the Achilles as this is a very common point to get cramps, and an Achilles injury, which has had a significant rise in the last couple of years, can be excruciatingly painful and debilitating. Spending about fifteen minutes stretching before hitting the trail can be highly beneficial.

Medical doctors also agree on how to deal with cramps when you get one. If your track and field teacher ever told you to, walk it off, he or she was giving you pretty sage advice. Unless you have damaged a muscle or joint from overextending, passive stretching, massage, and flexing should work the cramp out. Gently flex the affected area stretching the muscle, and forcing blood back into the tissue. If the cramp continues for an extended period of time, you should seek our medical attention, you may have damaged or torn a muscle, tendon, or joint. Generally speaking however, cramps do not need the attention of a medical doctor.

In summary, to prevent cramps on the trail you need to follow some simple advice:

Stretch out before hitting the trail, the mountainside, or the river, a good fifteen minutes of stretching, working all muscle groups

Keep a steady pace. About 2 to 2.5 miles per hour if you�re an adult of average height, walk for an hour and rest for fifteen minutes.

Stay hydrated. Drink one quart of fluid each hour, and more if you are in hot, cold, dry, or high altitude conditions.

Stay nourished. Eat about 250 to 400 calories per hour if you are exerting yourself on trail, high calorie, high carbohydrate foods with protein work best.

If you get a cramp do passive stretching to work it out, walk it off, is actually good advice, be firm in your efforts but don't force a constricted muscle.

Take Nothing But Pictures - Leave Nothing But Footprints - Kill Nothing But Time...

DISPOSE OF YOUR WASTE PROPERLY

If you packed it in, pack it out. This is one of the hardest rules to follow. It�s our nature not to want to carry trash. Cans, glass, foil, plastic, paper, hygiene products and food waste should never be burned or buried. All trash should be wrapped in double sealed Ziploc bags and carried out. Look at it this way, it was bulkier and heavier carrying it in, it�s going to be easier carrying it out. Cans can be crushed, foil, plastic, and paper waste can be balled up to save even more room in your pack. Inspect your site before leaving for trash (including trash others left behind) and spilled food. You should leave your site in better shape then when you arrived.

There are now two different camps on how to deal with human waste. Some low impact rules teach leaving fecal matter on the surface, to allow bacteria present to die off. Others recommend burying the matter. OutdoorPlaces.Com recommends burying all fecal matter six to eight inches underground in a cat hole. The best way to do this is with a shovel remove a divot of ground in one piece about eight inches deep. When you are done using the hole simply replace the divot back over the hole. Again all paper and hygiene products should be carried out. If you are camping in an arid or semi arid climate, urine can be disposed of in fast moving clear water downstream from your campsite (and others). Urine left on the surface in a desert environment can take months to wash away and can leave a powerful smell that will affect wildlife.

When you wash your dishes, do it at least 200 feet away from any natural water source. Some camps teach that if you are traveling less than five days, using hot water to wash your dishes is all you will need. If you do use soap use it sparingly and use biodegradable low-phosphate products. Disperse your gray water out over a wide area and don�t leave any meaningful pieces of food waste in the gray water.


LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

If you are visiting historical or cultural areas feel free to examine and look, but do not touch, move or alter these. The desert petroglyphs across the southwest are in grave danger from such activity. The oils in your hand are very destructive to fragile artifacts.

Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects where you find them. Moving a rock to use as a stool can affect the wildlife and leaves a visible scar. The collection of plants rocks or geological features is illegal in most parks, and in some settings can be a very serious felony.

Make efforts to prevent introducing non-native species to an area. If you have traveled a long distance to a new habitat, make sure your gear; especially your boots and tent are free of all dust and dirt. This can harbor seeds, which can damage an ecosystem by its introduction. If you are using horses or other pack animals source your feed locally and check with local authorities. Equestrian introduction of non-native species is a serious problem today.

Do not build structures, make furniture, dig trenches, or make a pit toilet area. Again, a good campsite is found, not created. Only build a structure in a survival situation where you life absolutely depends on it.

MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS

Campfires can cause long lasting scars in the backcountry. When possible use a cooking stove and gas lantern for cooking and lighting.

When fires are permitted in a backcountry area, use provided fire rings, grates, pans or other provided areas.

Don't make large fires. Only use dead wood found on the ground that can be broken by hand. Large fires can be hard to manage.

Burn all wood and coals down to ash (or as far as possible). Put out the campfire completely with water and stir the ashes until no embers or hot spots are left. Scatter the cooled ashes (done properly it is actually good for the environment). Any coals that may be left should be brittle enough to be broken down by stepping on them.


source: http://www.outdoorplaces.com

Rare flower reappears in Banahaw

Three years after Mt. Banahaw was closed to trekkers and devotees, wildlife species began to flourish again, including “rafflesia,” considered the world’s biggest flower.

Rafflesia

One of the rarest and most astonishing flowers in the world, including the very largest, is found only in Borneo and Sumatra! The Rafflesia flower starts as a small bud and can take over a year to flower. Rafflesia plants are parasitic, lacking both leaves and roots. The flower is not designed for beauty. In fact, the five fleshy, petal like lobes, marbled red and white, resemble dead meat and through chemical reaction the flower generates a strong odor of rotting flesh. This attracts carrion feeders drawn by the fleshy color pattern and the stench! After a few days, the Rafflesia flower turns brown and rots. Thus the world's rarest plant lives for a few days making it extremely difficult to see in the wild.

Jay Lim, program officer of Tanggol Kalikasan (TK), an environmental law center in Lucena, said they spotted the rafflesia late last year during an assessment hike of the mountain near Cristalino Falls where pilgrims used to put up their tents every Holy Week.

“Having been familiar with wildlife species, seeing rafflesia again after it disappeared for so long was an awesome sight,” Lim said.

One of their companions took photos of the flower that he described as not yet in full bloom.
Citing records of known Mt. Banahaw species, rafflesia has long been a part of the mystical mountain’s rich forest wildlife.

“But it slowly disappeared and became almost extinct after throngs of religious pilgrims and picnickers climbed the mountain in droves, especially during Holy Week, leaving behind widespread destruction,” Lim recalled.

Aside from Mt. Banahaw, rafflesia, which could reach up to almost a meter in diameter and weigh up to 11 kilograms when in full bloom, can also be found in Mt. Makiling in Batangas-Laguna, Mt. Isarog in Bicol and Mt. Apo in Mindanao.

It can also be found in southeastern Asia, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Kalimantan and West Malaysia.

Rafflesia is considered a parasitic flowering plant with a distinctive rotten smell.
Discovered in an Indonesian forest by a native guide working for an expedition in 1888, it was named after Thomas Stamford Raffles, the leader of the group.

Lim said there were also reported sightings of mountain deer, exotic wild berries, wild birds and beautiful rare butterflies in different spots of Mt. Banahaw.

“There are no more recognizable mountain trails due to the return of thick vegetation. It is again safe to drink the fresh water from the flowing river,” he noted.

Quezon Rep. Proceso Alcala, a noted environmentalist, has been introducing alternative livelihood projects for the hundreds of farmers who depend on slash-and-burn (kaingin) farming practice in the mountain.

In 2004, the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) sealed off with barbed wire several trails leading to the bosom of Banahaw to start a five-year rehabilitation program that aimed to resurrect the mountain’s natural resources.

The mountain suffered so much degradation not only from “kaingin” farming but also from the irresponsible practices of mountain climbers, modern pilgrims and urban nature trippers.
They left behind styrofoam boxes, empty water bottles and cans almost everywhere.
“Mt. Banahaw has long been being subjected to tremendous environmental pressure from religious pilgrims. Nothing is more divine than to let the environment return its pristine natural condition without human intrusion,” said environment lawyer Sheila de Leon, TK-Southern Tagalog executive director.

The mountain forms part of the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal National Park, declared as a protected area in June 2003.

The park covers Sariaya, Candelaria, Tayabas, Lucban and Dolores towns all in Quezon, and Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay and San Pablo City in Laguna.

By Delfin Mallari Jr.InquirerLast updated 09:31pm (Mla time) 03/07/2007

Banahaw finds rest for 2 years

DOLORES, QUEZON-Mt. Banahaw was at peace for two years.

A move to ban urbanites from trekking the mountain for nature trips disguised as a pilgrimage during the Lenten season apparently worked.

Two years after the ban was imposed, the people of Barangay Kinabuhayan, at the bosom of the mountain, are at peace with their mountain again, saying that the mystery of Banahaw is no longer disturbed.

"The sacred aura of Mt. Banahaw is now beginning to show again. It's now peaceful and quiet just like the old days when this place was not yet known to non-devotees," said Supremo Jose Illustrisimo, leader of religious sect "Tatlong Persona Solo Dios" based in the village.

He recalled how it was in 1936 when his late father, Agapito Illustrisimo, founded the religious sect as well as a settlement near the river, which they now revere as holy. Almost all residents in Kinabuhayan belong to "Tatlong Persona Solo Dios."

"I was then 7 years old. The place was surrounded by huge forest trees," the religious leader recalled.

Illustrisimo recalled that when the Kinabuhayan river near the sect compound was still crystal clear, devotees washed their feet there before starting the trek to different sacred spots atop the mountain.

He remembered the times when former President Manuel Quezon visited the place to meditate.
"He usually arrived here in the company of the provincial governor. He visited the different puestos to pray and meditate," the religious leader said.

The religious Supremo said that during the Holy Week, sect leaders from across the country return to Kinabuhayan to renew their ties with their spiritual roots.

Gloria Diala, 69, also a member of the religious sect and long time inhabitant of Kinabuhayan, reminisced about the first time she set foot in the serene village in 1958.

"This place was so beautiful. The climate was cool, birds were chirping and there was fresh flowing water. It was like paradise," she said.She recalled that when the sect members had to urinate, they wouldn’t do it just anywhere."The visitors have their own canisters for their urine. That's how we respect this place," she said.

"One has to wear extra clothes to keep the body warm especially at night. The grass is always dewy. I always feel good and contented here during those times. We were all religious pilgrims here who flocked here for silent prayers and meditation. There was no mountaineer yet," she recalled.

Nowadays, Diala said she wants to spend the remaining years of her life amid very serene and quiet surroundings."It's alright with me if Mt. Banahaw will stay closed forever," the old woman said in a whisper.

Aside from the "Tatlong Persona Solo Dios," another influential religious sect whose members also climb Mt. Banahaw every Lenten season has also expressed approval of the mountain's closure.

According to the leaders of "Ciudad Mistika de Dios" based in Barangay Santa Lucia, majority of the 80 sects that hold their rites in the mountain would respect the decision to insulate San Cristobal-Banahaw from outside intrusion for much-needed rehabilitation.

Of the 80 groups, 20 are based-or have places of worship-within the area covered by the Protected Area Management Board directive.

The mountain forms part of the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal National Park, declared as a protected area in June 2003. The park covers the municipalities of Sariaya, Candelaria, Tayabas, Lucban and Dolores, all in Quezon, and Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay and San Pablo City, all in Laguna.

To many, Mt. Banahaw is inhabited by spirits, elements and other-worldly beings. Many believers trek its slopes in hopes of experiencing something divine, particularly during the Lenten season.

In the summer of 2004, several days before the Holy Week, the PAMB sealed off with barbed wires several trails leading to areas in the bosom of Banahaw to start the five-year rehabilitation program that would resurrect the mountain's natural resources.

It was not only slash and burn (kaingin) farming that left a scar on the mountain's surface.
The irresponsible practice of mountain climbers, composed of modern pilgrims and urban nature trippers, have also added to the mounting pressure on the mountain's ecosystem. They leave behind styrofor boxes, empty water bottles and cans at almost every spot of the mountain after the Lenten period.

Even enterprising children from Kinabuhayan village were aware of the reason behind the absence of their former mountain-climbing clients.

"The mountaineers dump their trash just about anywhere. Even if we reminded them (not to leave trash), they just laugh at us," recalls Baroy Zena, 10; Christian Ele, 9; and Richard Rebamba, 13.

The three friends find employment as guides to first time mountain visitors.
"Each of us used to earn at least P200 a day. We were also given lots of foods and candies," said Rebamba, the veteran tour guide among the three.

The guides also fetch water for a fee for the mountaineers on top of Banahaw. During Holy Week, the mountain is like a big set of stairs to most of the children. "We climbed the mountain several times a day. In the evening, we were dead tired in our sleep. But we're happy, we had plenty of money," Rebamba said.

"But now, we no longer have money. We were told that the mountain will again open in 2007. Hopefully, it will be true," he said as the group feasted on loaves of breads and big bottles of soft drinks.

In an inspection of Mt. Banahaw conducted last week by the DENR, local government officials and Tanggol Kalikasan staff workers, the group found improvements in the closed areas.
Water has returned to the falls, the trails are no longer recognizable due to the regrowth of vegetation, and wildlife has returned to the area.

The sound of flowing river provides an exhilarating acoustic backdrop to the urbanites' ear.
"But despite all these positive changes in Mt Banahaw, it still needs massive reforestation and rehabilitation. We should not let nature just heal itself. There's also a need for human intervention. We owe it to Mother Nature," said Manny Calayag, Dolores environment and natural resource officer.

To preserve the delicate balance of nature and the spirituality of the place, the local government turned down a proposal several years ago from a private resort firm to construct a swimming pool near the Kinabuhayan River.

Undeniably, there's a great potential for tourism to thrive in the place. But any eco-tourism undertaking in the area should seriously consider the revered spiritual history of the place. "So we rejected the proposal," Calayag said.

What worries the local government now is the danger from landslides and flash floods due to the altered topography of the place.

"We now have to conduct regular monitoring on the condition of the soil in the upper part of the mountain whenever there is a strong and continuous rain," Calayag said.

He recalled that Kinabuhayan and the nearby village of Sta. Lucia have already experienced big floods in the past.

Sally Pangan, protected area supervisor assigned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to Banahaw, said in her inspection report that the soil erosion between Barangays Sampaloc 1 and Bugon in Sariaya was due to rampant illegal farming in some parts of the mountain.

Pangan discovered that the land in the area had no topsoil. The team also found traces of landslides during previous heavy rains that resulted in the contamination of the town's water supply and also of neighboring villages.

The extent of soil erosion, near the water source downstream, reveals a mismanaged watershed due to uncontrolled farming inside the mountain area.

"The slope of Banahaw de Dolores is the same in St. Bernard, except that our place is much steeper. God forbid, but we're not totally discounting the possibility that what happened in St. Bernard could also happen here. The occurrence of landslides and flash floods in these mountainous parts of Dolores is not a remote possibility," Calayag said.

Calayag also pointed to the volcanic and limestone wall at the back of the village.
"There's always a fire in that wall every four years, which softened the soil structure," he said.

First posted 11:32pm (Mla time) April 13, 2006 By Delfin Mallari Jr.Inquirer

Mt Banahaw Climb 2007 - Photo Gallery

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Mount Banahaw Tropical Herbs

Mount Banahaw is not only mystical, it produces herbs that makes a livelihood for the local folks. The following are list of herbs that www.philippineherbs.com use in their products. They are listed alphabetically by their Philippine name, with the English (if it exists) and scientific names.

Akapulko - (Ringworm Bush) - Cassia Alata Linn. - Parts used: leavesAkapulko is a shrub that grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The leaves contain chrysophanic acid. The leaves are reported to be sudorific, diuretic and purgative, being used in the same manner as senna. The leaves are commonly used for ringworm and other skin diseases. The leaves in decoction are also used to treat bronchitis and asthma.

Alagau - (no English) - Prema Odorata Blanco - Parts used: leavesAlagau is a tree that is only found in the Philippines. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw and in many other places in the Philippines. For many years now, Alagau has been considered a drug in the Philippines, being used to loosen phlegm and relieve coughs. It is also claimed to benefit tuberculosis and headaches. Its other properties are carminative, parasiticide, sudorific, and pectoral. Alagau is one of the great medicinal herbs of the Philippines.

Ampalaya - (Bitter Gourd) - Momordica Charantia Linn. Parts used: fruit and leavesAmpalaya is a vegetable grown throughout the Philippines. It is mostly cultivated, although wild forms can be found. It grows wild in the remote areas of Mt. Banahaw. As the English name suggests, the melon has a bitter taste due to the presence of momordicin. There has been much research done on the effectiveness of using Momordica Charantia in the treatment of diabetes. It has been shown to increase production of beta cells by the pancreas, thereby improving the body’s ability to produce insulin. It has been recommended by the Department of Health of the Philippines, as one of the best herbal medicines for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV. It is a common herb used in Chinese herbology. In the Philippines, the leaves are often used for children's coughs. It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases, sterility in women, as a parasiticide, as an antipyretic, and as a purgative. For more information on Ampalaya, click here.

Avocado - (English same) - Persea Americana Mill. Parts used: leaves and barkThe Avocado is a fruit and was introduced into the Philippines from tropical America around the 16th century. It is very common on Mt. Banahaw. It is a seasonal fruit, which contains over 20 percent fat, and more protein content than any other fresh fruit. The parts we use in our herbal formulas are the leaves and bark. The leaves and bark are used in domestic medicines because of the pectoral, stomachic, emmengague, resolutive, and antiperiodic properties ascribed to them.

Banaba - (no English) - Lagerstroemia Speciosa Linn. Parts used: leaves and barkBanaba is a tree which is found throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. There has been much resource done on Banaba leaves and their ability to reduce blood sugar, and its "insulin-like principle." In the Philippines, Banaba is a popular medicine plant and is used in treatment of diabetes mellitus. It is high in colosolic acid which is used in many drugs for diabetes. It is also used in weight-loss products. The leaves are also known to be diuretic and purgative. The bark is used to stop diarrhea.

Bauang - (Garlic) - Allium Sativum Linn. Parts used: bulbBauang is cultivated throughout the Philippines. The Filipino variety of Bauang is very small, and four times more expensive than the imported varieties of Bauang found in the markets. The reason for this is the superior quality and pungency of the small Tagolog (Filipino) variety. We use ONLY the Tagolog variety in our herbs. Bauang is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal herb. Bauang is a diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, anthelmintic, and stimulant. As an antiseptic, its use has long been recognized. In World War I it was widely employed in the control of suppuration in wounds. The raw juice was expressed, diluted with water, and put on swabs of sterilized Sphagnum moss, which were applied to the wound. Where this treatment was given, it was proved that there were no septic results, and the lives of thousands of men were saved by its use. Bauang is an invaluable medicine for asthma, hoarseness, coughs, difficulty of breathing, and most other disorders of the lungs, being of particular virtue in chronic bronchitis, on account of its powers of promoting expectoration. The successful treatment of tubercular consumption by Bauang has been recorded. The successful treatment of tubercular consumption by Bauang has been recorded. In the Philippines, the bulbs are prescribed for high blood pressure. Dr. James Balch, in his book "The Super Anti-Oxidants," states that garlic acts as a super antioxidant, lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, balances blood sugar, prevents heart disease, assists in fat metabolism, and aids in cancer prevention. For more information on Bauang, click here and here.

Bayabas - (Guava) - Psidium Guajava Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, and barkBayabas is a fruit found throughout the Philippines. While the larger varieties are cultivated, most of it grows wild. It is very abundant on Mt. Banahaw in its wild form. The leaves and bark are known to be astringent, vulnerary, and antidiarrhetic. The bark is used in the chronic diarrhea of children. The fruit is known to be anthelmintic, and is used for high blood pressure, poor circulation, diabetes and asthma. The fruit also has probably the highest concentration of vitamin C of any of the tropical fruits in the Philippines.

Bignay – (no English) – Antidesma Bunius Linn. Parts used: fruit, leavesBignay is a fruit tree with small red berries. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The fruit is commonly used to make jam and wine. The fruit is known for its cooling properties. The leaves are sudorific and employed in treating snakebite, in Asia. The fruit is harvested once a year, and we add fresh bignay juice to our Kombucha Health drinks during that time.

Cacao - (Cocoa) - Theobroma Cacao Linn. Parts used: pulpy flesh from fruitCacao is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is very abundant on Mt. Banahaw. It is most known for the seeds of its fruit, which is used to manufacture cacao, chocolate, cacao butter, etc. We use the pulpy flesh of the fruit in our Digestive Enzyme tincture, because it contains the enzymes protease, invertase, raffinase, cesease and oxydase.

Carrot - (English same) - Daucus Carota Linn. Parts used: rootCarrots are only grown in the Philippines at high elevation, and grow well on Mt. Banahaw. Among the many health benefits of carrots would include: useful for toxemia, constipation, asthma, poor complexion, poor teeth, insomnia, high blood pressure, inflamed kidneys and bladder, colitis, and catarrh. They can improve the appearance of hair and nails, help improve eyesight, correct dropsy, end painful urination, increase menstrual flow, and help to keep the skin healthy. The juice of carrots is said to be a great colon cleanser, and cancer preventer.

Darangita - (Mandarin Orange, or Tangerine Orange) - Citrus Reticulata Blanco Parts used: fruitDarangita is a fruit tree common throughout the Philippines and abundant on Mt. Banahaw. Darangita is valued for its pleasant flavor and high concentration of vitamin C.

Damong Maria - (Mugwort) - Artemisia Vulgaris Linn. Parts used: leavesDamong Maria is a small plant found in many places in the Philippines, often cultivated. On Mt. Banahaw it grows wild. It is known to be stomachic, antispasmodic, alterative, anthelmintic, haemoptysis, antiseptic, and carminative. Filipinos use it for all sorts of stomach ailments.

Duhat - (Black Plum/Java Plum) - Syzygium Cumini Skeels Parts used: fruit, leaves, bark, seedsDuhat is a fruit tree found mostly wild throughout the Philippines. Duhat seeds are known for the treatment of diabetes, as are the leaves and the juice from the fruit. The bark is astringent and in decoction is used as a mouthwash and as a gargle for ulcerations of the mouth.

Dumero - (Rosemary) - Rosmarinus Officinalis Linn. Parts used: leavesDumero is cultivated in some places in the Philippines, and is grown on Mt. Banahaw. Dumero is reported to fight bacteria, relax the stomach, stimulate circulation and digestion, act as an astringent and decongestant, and improve circulation to the brain. It is reported to help prevent liver toxicity, and have anticancer and antitumor properties.

Gabi - (Taro) - Colocasia Esculenta Linn. Parts used: rootGabi is a large leaf plant with a tuberous rootstock. It grows wild throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The roots are a staple food in some localities. The tubers are digestive, laxative, diuretic, lactagogue, and styptic.

Gogo (no English) - Entada Phaseoloides Linn. Parts used: barkThis plant is very large tree found throughout the Philippines. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Gogo is used extensively in the Philippines for washing hair and for hair tonics. When the bark is soaked in water and rubbed, it produces a lather which cleanses the scalp very effectively. The active principle of the bark is saponin.

Gumamela - (Hibiscus) - Hibiscus Rosasinensis Linn. Parts used: flowerGumamela is cultivated as an ornamental flower throughout the Philippines. It is common on Mt. Banahaw. Gumamela flowers are used as an expectorant in bronchitis, for general coughs, and as a refrigerant drink in fevers.

Guyabano - (no English) - Anona Muricata Linn. Parts used: fruitGuyabano is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines. It is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The fruit The Guyabano fruit is an excellent source of vitamin B and C, and is known to have pectoral and febrifuge properties.

Hierba Buena - (Mint) - Mentha Arvensis Linn. Parts used: leavesHierba Buena is cultivated throughout the Philippines, although it does well at higher altitudes. It is grown on Mt. Banahaw. This mint is known as a remedy for weakness of the stomach and for diarrhea. It is valuable as an antiseptic, and has been used in alcohol solutions for asthma.

Kalabasa - (Squash) - Cucurbita Maxima Duchesne Parts used: seedsKalabasa is a vegetable cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. Kalabasa seeds are used as an anthelmintic, which is attributed to the presence of saponin in the seeds. They are used to combat tapeworms. The seeds are also used as a diuretic for urinary diseases.

Kalamansi - (no English) - Citrus Microcarpa Bunge Parts used: fruitKalamansi is a small citrus fruit that appears as cross between a lemon and lime. It is widely cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. It is a native of the Philippines, and does not occur naturally outside of the Philippines. The juice of Kalamansi is known as a refrigerant, a remedy for coughs and for itches, a deodorant, and an antiphlogistic.

Kamatis - (Tomato) - Lycopersicum Esculentum Mill. Parts used: fruitKamatis is cultivated throughout the Philippines. The original form of this species has small fruit. Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing, author of the classic book "Medicinal Plants of the Philippines," states, "Briefly, the medical and food value of tomatoes may be stated thus: -- (a) Tomatoes are the richest in vitamins of all foods; (b) they are the most wonderful and effective blood cleansers of all foods known to man; (c) they are the richest of all vegetables in the natural health acids which keep our stomachs and intestines in condition; (d) they are a most extraordinary corrective for kidneys, being a gentle, natural stimulant which helps to wash away the poisons which cause disease and contaminate our systems."

Kamote - (Sweet Potato) - Impomoea Batatas Linn. Parts used: leavesKamote is tuber grown throughout the Philippines, and grows especially well at higher altitudes. It is one of the main commercial crops grown on Mt. Banahaw. Depending on the variety, the leaves are either green or purple. Research has been done on the use of Kamote leaves, especially the purple ones, in the treatment of diabetes. They are also a rich source of iron and calcium.

Kauayan - (Bamboo) - Bambusa Spinosa Roxb. Parts used: leavesKauayan is a tree grown throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The bamboo is used primarily in building purposes, including furniture and household items. The silicious concretion of the culms is said to be stimulant, astringent, tonic, cooling, and antispasmodic. The leaves are used as an emmenagogue and an anthelmintic.

Labanos - (White Radish) - Raphanus Sativus Linn. Parts used: root and leavesLabanos is a vegetable cultivated throughout the Philippines and is one of the main crops of Mt. Banahaw. The leaves of labanos are laxative and diuretic. The roots are considered stimulant, carminative, stomachic, anthelmintic, and nervine tonic. They are also useful in diseases of the heart, ammenorrhoea, leprosy, and cholera.

Lagundi - (Five Leafed Chaste Tree) - Vitex Negundo Linn. Parts used: flowers, seeds, rootLagundi is a common medicine shrub in the Philippines, and is found on Mt. Banahaw. The use of Lagundi for medicinal purposes has a long history in the Philippines. Today, pharmaceutical companies sell it in capsule form at drug stores. The root is reported to be tonic, febrifuge, and expectorant. The root is also used in a great variety of diseases: dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worms, boils, and leprosy. The flowers are used in diarrhea, cholera, fever, and diseases of the liver, and are also recommended as a cardiac tonic. The seeds make a cooling medicine for skin diseases and leprosy, and for inflammation of the mouth. The leaves are reported to be used for coughs and asthma.

Langka - (Jack Fruit) - Artocarpus Heterophyllus Lam. Parts used: fruit and leavesLangka is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines. It is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The ripe fruit is said to be demulcent, nutritive, and laxative. For more information on langka, click here.
Lukban - (Pomelo/Grapefruit) - Citrus Grandis Osbeck Parts used: fruit, leaves, seedsLukban is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and is abundant and wild on Mt. Banahaw. Lukban is a pomelo, which is similar to grapefruit. It is pure-strain citrus fruit, whereas grapefruit is a hybrid between pomelo and orange.

Lukban leaves are used in the Philippines, in the form of a decoction or infusion, as a sedative in nervous affections. The leaves are also said to be useful in epilepsy, chorea, and convulsive coughs. The seeds are known to have antiseptic qualities.

Luya - (Ginger) - Zingiber Officinale Rosc. Parts used: rhizome (root stock)Luya is a root stock grown in many places in the Philippines, and is very common on Mt. Banahaw. Luya is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal herb. It is commonly used in treating colds and flu in children, because of it effectiveness and safety in large doses. Japanese researchers have found that Luya causes the heart to beat more strongly and slowly and that blood pressure lowers by 10 to 15 points after Luya is ingested. Indian researchers have found that Luya is also effective in removing cholesterol from both the blood and liver. Luya is also reported to sooth the stomach, helping digestion. It is reported to relive gas, flatulence, and cramping, and facilitate the breakdown of food in the stomach and the absorption of food in the small intestine. A number of researchers have found that Luya is highly effective in alleviating motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting, being more effective than Dramamine. Luya's various isolated components also possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral, diuretic, antifungal, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties. It has been found effective in the treatment of heart disease, migraines, stroke, coughs, dizziness, fever, kidney stones, and viral infections.

Makahia - (no English) - Biophytum Sensitivum Linn. Parts used: leavesMakahia is found throughout the Philippines and is found wild everywhere on Mt. Banahaw. It is not cultivated, and is considered a weed. The Tagalog name, and suggested by the scientific name, means "sensitive." The reason it is given this name is that upon human touch the leaves contract and appear to wilt, but then open up again a short time later. Makahia is known as a diuretic, and is considered alterant and antiasthmatic. It is used for urinary complaints, and is useful in diseases arising from corrupt blood and bile.

Makabuhay - (no English) - Menispermum crispum Linn. Parts used: leavesMakabuhay is a vine found throughout the Philippines. It contains a bitter principle, colombine, traces of an alkaloid, and a glucoside, berberine. The Filipinos and Malay in general consider this vine as a universal medicine. The name in Tagalog means "to give life." It is commonly used for stomach trouble, indigestion, diarrhea, and ulcers. It is known as a febrifuge, and is said to have anti-malaria properties. Recent studies in the Philippines have found it useful as an insecticide for rice crops. Not for pregnant women, as can cause abortions.

Malungai - (Horse Radish Tree) - Moringa Oleifera Lam. Parts used: leavesMalungai is a tree found throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. It is a common vegetable found in the market. They are a rich source of calcium and iron. The leaves are purgative, and diuretic.
Manga - (Mango) - Mangifera Indica Linn. Parts used: leaves, fruitManga is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The leaves are used in treatment of diabetes, for chronic diseases of the lungs, for asthma and colds. The flowers are used for diarrhea. The ripe fruit is said to be diuretic, laxative, and useful for constipation. The seed (pit/stone) of Manga is used for diarrhea and is considered anthelmintic. The seeds are also used for treating round worm.

Mansanitas - (Jujube) - Zizyphus Mauritiana -Lam. Parts used: fruit, leaves, seeds, barkMany varieties of Mansanitas are scattered throughout the Philippines. There is a variety that grows wild on Mt. Banahaw in a few places. Where it grows, it is a huge fruit tree that can produce several hundred kilos of fruit per year. Fortunately, we have one tree on our farm that is wild. The bark and leaves are employed as an effective astringent in dysentery and diarrhea. The fruit is said to be nourishing, mucilaginious, pectoral, and styptic, and is said to purify the blood and assist in digestion. The fruit is also a mild laxative and expectorant, being used to relieve coughs.

Niyog - (Coconut) - Cocos Nucifera Linn. Parts used: fruit, rootNiyog is a palm tree cultivated throughout the Philippines. Mt. Banahaw, being in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines, is rich in Niyog trees. The roots of Niyog are astringent, and are used for coughs. Niyog fruit is often processed into oil or milk because of its refrigerant, aperient, diuretic, anthelmintic, and purgative properties. It is often used in cosmetics as a lotion for the skin.

Noni/Bankoro - (Noni/Indian Mulberry) -Morinda Citrifolia Linn. Parts used: fruitBankoro is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, chiefly along or near the seashore. This tropical fruit, which is native to the Philippines, has become very popular recently due to some heavy marketing by certain companies, and is now known by its common name "Noni." It is hard to find reliable scientific information on this herb among all the hype, but there is no doubt that Noni is a very effective herb. It is said to be antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and used to retard cancer and tumorous growth.

Papaya - (English same) - Carica Papaya - Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, flowers, seedsPapaya is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, mostly cultivated. The native species grows mostly wild on Mt. Banahaw. Papaya is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal plant. The leaves, fruits, stem and roots all contain the proteolytic enzyme papain. Exhaustive studies have been done on papain, and it is reported to be a true, soluble, digestive ferment or a mixture of ferments of vegetable origin, its proteolytic action marked in acid, alkaline, and neutral solutions and also in the presence of many chemicals, antiseptics, and therapeutic agents. It has a peculiar softening and disintegrating actions in proteids, and its general proteolytic action is that of a genuine digestive ferment, similar to that of the ferments of animal origin. It acts in the way rennet does upon milk, and has a pronounced digestive power at a wide range of temperatures. Papain is used effectively as an anthelmintic. The leaves are often employed as a remedy for asthma, and said to also be a heart tonic. The flowers have pectoral properties. The fruit is used in cosmetics for a healthy skin complexion. The green fruit is laxative and diuretic. Studies at the University of Nigeria have revealed that extracts of ripe and unripe papaya fruits and of the seeds are active against gram-positive bacteria. Strong doses are effective against gram-negative bacteria. The substance has protein-like properties.

Pepino - (Cucumber) - Cucumis Sativus Linn. Parts used: fruit and seedsPepino is a vine cultivated throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. Pepino is sometimes given to children with dysentery, and also considered cooling, diuretic, and purgative. A salve is recommended for skin diseases, and for scalds and burns. The seeds are said to have anti-tapeworm properties. Pepino is also useful in eliminating water from the body, which makes is important for those with heart and kidney problems.

Piña - (Pineapple) - Anana Cosmosus Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves/stalksPiña is a fruit widely cultivated in the Philippines. There are two varieties, the native one, which has smaller fruits and is grown on Mt. Banahaw, and the Smooth Cayenne variety, which was introduced from Hawaii. Piña is well-known for its digestive enzyme bromelin, which has anthelmintic properties.
Sambong - (Blumea Camphor) - Blumea Balsamifera Linn. Parts used: leavesSambong is found throughout the Philippines, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Doctors in the Philippines prescribe Sambong for the dissolution of kidney stones. The leaves of Sambong are used as a tea in the Philippines, and as a cure for colds. It is also said to have antidiarrhetic and antigastralgic properties. It is also used as an expectorant. It is given for worms and dysentery. It is one of the most common used medicinal herbs in the Philippines.

Sampalok - (Tamarind) - Tamarindus Indica Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, barkSampalok is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. Sampalok fruit is used as a laxative, for bilious vomiting, and against cholera. It is also a refrigerant, and used to reduce fevers. The bark is astringent and tonic, and used for asthma and amenorrhoea. The leaves are used to destroy worms in children, and are useful for jaundice.

Santol - (no English) - Sandoricum Koetjape Merr. Parts used: barkSantol is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The bark of Santol contains a bitter substance, sandoricum acid, and is used to treat ringworm. For more information on Santol, click here.

Suganda - (no English) - Coleus Amboinicus Lour. Parts used: leavesSuganda, called "oregano" here on Mt. Banahaw, is an herb cultivated mostly in peoples gardens. It is well-known on Mt. Banahaw, and thrives in the soil and climate there. When you ask people locally here why they grow it, they will universally claim that it is effective in relieving coughs, especially in children. The leaves are also used externally to relieve pain.

Sili - (Chili Pepper/Cayenne) - Capsicum Frutescens Linn. Parts used: fruitSili is found throughout the Philippines, being introduced from Mexico, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Sili, also know as Cayenne, is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal plant. This variety of cayenne, capsicum frutescens, is known as the hottest of all peppers, having a heat level of 9. It is commonly used in Tabasco sauce. Cayenne is known to be very affective in the treatment of heart disorders, such as high blood pressure, and in digestive disorders. It is an excellent cleanser of the whole digestive system. Noted herbalist Dr. Schulze lists cayenne as his number one medical emergency herb, and always carries a tincture of it around with him. He claims to have treated many patients with it for over 20 years, and to have even revived a man who had gone into cardiac arrest with doses of cayenne tincture. Cayenne is said to be a powerful and pure stimulant, having no narcotic effect, increasing the power of the pulse and carrying the blood to all parts of the Body. It also equalizes and restores the balance of circulation throughout the body. Cayenne is a hemostat, arresting the flow of blood from a cut or wound in seconds and a cardiac tonic, helping to rebuild the heart. It is an antiseptic, killing pathogens and a counter-irritant, helping to relieve pain. Cayenne is also a stomachic, helping to digest foods and a carminative, helping to expel gas. For a good article on cayenne, click here. We believe that we have one of the best cayenne tinctures available on the market, and encourage you to buy it in its pure form to add to other herbs and teas as you see fit.

Talong - (Eggplant) - Solanum Melongena Linn. Parts used: rootTalong is cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. In the Philippines, the Talong roots are taken as a decoction internally as an antiasthmatic and general stimulant. The roots are also used in treatment of skin diseases

Tañglad - (Lemon Grass; Ginger Grass) - Andropogon Citratus DC. Parts used: leavesTañglad is a grass and is clutivated throughout the Philippines. It is grown on Mt. Banahaw near rice fields, and is a popular ingredient in herbal teas and herbal soaps. It is used to aid digestion, for stomach problems and to reduce fevers.

For more information log on to : http://www.philippineherbs.com/philippineherbindex.htm