Balimbing (Averrhoa Carambola Li) Medical Properties and Constituents

Medical properties and constituents Vermifuuge, laxative, refrigerant, antiscorbutic, febrifuge, sialogogue, antiphlogistic, stimulant, emmenagogue, anodyne, emetic. Studies indicate the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins.

Distribution Planted in cultivated and semi-cultivated areas

Parts used: leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits.

Uses nutritional: edible fruits is a source of iron ( low in calcium) and vitamins B and C, oxalate potassium.

FOLKLORIC Tea of boiled leaves used for aphtous stomitis. Crushed shoots or leaves used externally foor headaches and ringworm. Boiled flowers used to expel worms 50grams to a piint of boiling water; drunk in normal doses. Fruits is laxative. Decoction of fruits 50grams to a pint of boiling water, 4-5 glasses a day for bleeding piles. Juice of fresh fruits for affection of the eyes. Seeds is used for asthma and colic: Powdered seeds, 10grms to a cup of warm water, drunk 4 times daily. In India, the ripe fruits is used to stop hemorrhages and relieve hemorrhoidal bleeding. The dried fruits or juice used for fevers.

Kakaw (Theobroma cacao)

Distribution Widely cultivated for its seeds; nowehere spontaneous

Insert Leaves and young fruitsbud.

Constituents Seeds contain fixed oil, 40-56%; theobromine; glucose, saccharose; vitamins A, 825-1400 IU per 100gm; cellulose, 2.8-5.4% water, 5-7% ash, 3-5% starch and a glucoside, cacarine. The mesocarp and seed contain theobromine and caffeine. The wall and pupl of the fruits contain arabinose and galactose. The flesh contain enzymes: protease, invertase, raffinase, cesease, and oxydase. Cacao is high in magnesium. High in antioxidant, approximately 40 times higher than blueberries. Possibly contains MAO nhibitors with effects on serotonin and neurotransmitters. Contains PEA ( phynylethylamine) and anandamine.

Uses Folkloric Eczema, dry skin: Roast 10-12 seeds and pound ; and apply to affected areas as poultice after a warm compress. Root decoction used as emmenagogue (promote or stimulates menstrual flow) and ecbolic (promote labor by stimulating uterine contractions. Others Cocoa butter (oil of theobroma) is an excellent emollient for use to prevent chapped lips and hands. Food: Cultivated for use in the manufacture of cacaa, chocolate, cacao butter, chocolate food, drink of fruit. Cacao butter used in the manufacture of confections, toilet article and cosmetics; in pharmacy, used for pill coating and suppository preparation. Santol

(Sandoricum koetjape Merr.)

Chemical constituents and properties Roots is aromatic, carminative, antispasmodic, astringent, stomachic. High in carbohydrates, fair in iron, but low in calcium. Fair source of vitamin B. Bark contains traces of bitter principle, a toxic alkaloid. Seed contains abitter substance, sandoricum acid, a similarto acids found in Chisocheton, dysoxylum, henea and carapa.

Distribbtion Found in secondary forest, palnted or semicultivated.

Parts used Roots , bark, and leaves.

Distribbtion Found in secondary forest, palnted or semicultivated.

Parts used Roots , bark, and leaves.

Rosal

(Gardenia jasminoides)

Distribution A common garden plant, Only the double-flowered from occurs in the Philippines.

Parts utilized Parts utilized: roots, leaves, fruits Collect fruits during August to October. Fruits: sun-dry after stemming.

Uses Folkoric Decoction of leave and flowers used for dyspepsia, flatulences, nervous disorders and abdominal pains. Decoction of bark (50-55 g) used for fevers, dysentery and abdominal pains. Decoction of flowers used as wash for inflamed eyes. Poultice of leaves for swollen breasts; may be mixed with violeta and other herbs. Jaundice, fever Fruits is antiseptic; used for tootache, foul sores. Cough, fever. Bacillary dysentery. Nephritic edema. Epistaxis, painful outgrowth at the tongue. Mastitis, furuncle. Lymph node tuberculosis. Dosage: use 30-60 gms dried roots, 60-120 gms dried fruits in decoction. Fruits may be pulverized and applied to region with furuncle, spains, lymp node tuberculosis with water or alchol. In China, extract used traditionally to treat diabetes. In Oriental medicine, fruits has been used for inflammation, jaundice, headache, fever, liver disorders and hypertension.

Kampanilya (Allamanda catherica Linn.)

Distribution Cultivated as ornamental garden palnt. Also found in thickets near settlements.

Parts utilized: Leaves and bark.

Chemical constituents and properties Purgative, cathartic with hydrogogue effect, healing, diuretic. Phytochemical studies revealed the main constituents to be alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and carbohydrates. The whole palant is reported to be poisonous. Contains allamandin, a toxic iridoid lactone. As the name implies, the leaves, roots and flowers may be used in preparing a powerful cathartic. Milky sap is considered antibacterial, possibly anticancer.

Uses Folkloric Infusion of leaves for colic; also purgative and emetic. Decoction of leave in small doses as antiodate for poisoning. Decoction of bark in decoction, in small doses, has a cathartic and hydrogogue effect. In large doses, the bark and latex are poisonous. Extract of leave used for colic and as laxative; in large doses causes diarrhea and vomiting. In Trinidaa, used for treating malaria ang jaundice.

Katuntay Lantana (Lantana camara)

Distribution A gregarious weed in the Philippines. Certain varieties are cultivated as a trimmed hedge either alone or with other shubs.

Parts utilized and preparation Leaves, bark, roots, flowering tops. May be collected thoughout the year. Sun-dry

Uses Folkloric Influenza, cough, mumps, incessant high fever, malaria, cervical lymph node tuberculosis: use 30 to 60 gms dried roots or 60 to 120 gms fresh roots in decoction. Fever: Take decoction of bark or infusion of leaves and flowering tops as tea. Hemoptysis, pulmonary tuberculosis: use 6 to 9 gms dried flowers in decoction. Dermatitis, eczema, pruritus: use fresh stem and leaves. Rheumatic-Spread oil on leaves, warm over low flame and apply on effected parts. Sprain, wounds, contusion: Use pounded fresh leaves applied as poultice. Leaf oil used for pruritic skin conditions and antiseptic for wounds. Decoction of plant used for tetanus, rheumatism, malaria. Decoction of fresh leaves used as gargle for tootaches. Pounded leave used for cut, ulcers and swelling. Decoction of leaves and fruits used for wounds.

CHARACTIRISTIC, PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND CONSTETUENTS

Flowers: sweet tasting, mildly cooling, hemostatic. Alkaloid fraction believed to lower blood pressure, increase respiratory rate, and inhibit uterine motilily in rats. Plant considered antiseptic, antispasmodic, vulnerary, diaphoretic and carminative. Phytochemical analysis detected common secondary metabolites-alkaloids, phenolics, other minor compounds such as phytosterols, saponins, tannis, phycobatannin and steroids (no streroids in the yaer the yellow and laveder leaf extract).

Campanero (Thevetia peruviana Merr)

Properties and Constituents Seeds contain a toxic glucoside, thevetin. Seeds yield a fixed oil containing triloein 63%, tripalmitin and stearin, 37%. Thevetin has been classified heart irregularities. It also causes increased intestinal peristalsis, increased salivation, and pupil contraction. Bark is emetic, febrifuge, and antiperiodic. Leaves are cathartic. Milky juice is poisonous and vesicant.

Uses Folkloric In some countries, seeds are chewed for a drastic emetic effect. Seeds also used as abortifacient.

Caution Toxicity Concerns All part of the plant are poisonous, especially the kernels of the fruit. As an ornamental plant, accidental ingestion is common. Toxic effects of glycosides due to digitalis like action on the heart and GI irritation (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmias and varying degrees of heart block).Other clinical features are drowsiness, dilated pupils. Jaundice and renal failure have been observed. The usual cause of death is ventricular fibrillation. In Srilanka, the kernels of the seeds has been used in suiside attempts. Although the cardiac glycosides peruvoside has been used for cardiac insufficiently, the margin between therapeutic agent.

Availability Ornamental cultivation. Wildcrafted.

Dahong-Pula (Iresine herbstii Hook.)

Distribution Native to tropical America. Cultivated thoughout the Philippines.

Uses Folkloric No folkloric medicinal uses in hte Philippines. In southern Brazil, used for wound healing. In hte northern Peruvian Andes, used for magic-therapeutical purpose where traditional healer use it to expel evil spirits from the body. Used in association with other plants, such as trichocereus pachanos, for divination, for diagnosing disease, to take possession of another identity or for other ritualistic healing uses.

Studies CNS Effect / Ritual Use: (1) Studied to evaluate if the central effect of Iresine herbstii with Brugmansia arborea could be associated with interaction with SNC receptors. The result of the experiments indicate thet Iresine herbstii menthanolic extract showed affinity for D2 receptors, thus conforming their ritual use. CNS Effect: (1) Animsl experiments indicate the plants were to able to significantly reduce the central nervous system activity. The reduction of motor coordination and stereotyped behaviour together withinduce locomotor activity support the oissibility that all the studied plants act as psychotropic agents, thus confirming their ritual use. (2) CNS pharmacological effect of aqueous extract from Iresine herbstii: An aqueous extract showed significant reduction of locomotor activity, motor coordination and stereotyped behaviour of mice. Result suggest that I herbstii induce significant effect on selected aspect of the CNS.

Kalios (streblus as per Lour.)

Distribution Found in thinkets in low and medium altitudes, especially in regions with long dry seasons.

Constituents Sulfur, peroxidise, hydrocellulose, glycosides, calcium oxalate, streblid, resin. A rich source of cardiac gylcosides, 20 have been isolated from the root bark. Bitter bark substance suggest the poison of Antiaris.

Properties and constituenrs Considered astringent, antiseptic, antifilarial, cardiotonic, soothing, antiaging. Root is considered antipyretic, antidysenteric, analfesic and sedative. Studies yielded carbohydrates , glycosides, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponin, gums and mucilage.

Parts utilized Roots and bark

Uses Folkloric Chapped hands. Inflammatory swelling, boils and abscesses, wounds. Used for vitiligo. Decoction of bark used for disinfecting wounds; also used for internally for skin disease ³culebra.´ The bark is xhewed as an antidote for snake poisoning. Bark decoction also used for fever, dysentery and diarrhea. In Ayurveda, used for filariasis, leprosy, toothache, dysentery, diarrhea, cancer. In India traditional medicine, leaves, stems and root used to teat syphilis. In Thailand, used for infla,,atory illnesses. In Bangladesh, used foor syphilis, cholera. Piles, wounds, cancer, heart disease, tumors, indigestion, leucoderma, liver disease, as analgesic and as stimulant. Others The rough sides of the leaves find use the cleaning of cooking utensils. Substitute for sandpaper.

Studies Cardiotic: Extract studies of root bark on frog heart showed positive ionotropic effect. Filaricidal: Extract of stem bark revelead macrofilarical activity. Antimicrobial / Oral Hygiene: Ethanol extract of leaves and sticks shown to inhibit growth of strep mutans. Strep mutans is strongly associated with dental caries. Study suggests a potential for S asper extract as anatural product for controlling dental caries. Anti-allergic: Showed anti-PCA (passive cutaneous anaphylaxis) and mast cell atabilizing activity. Insectical: (1) Polyphenolic fractions found to have insecticidal activity. (2) Study of extract from hte stem bark showed insecticidal activity against thre fifth instar of Dysdercus cingulatus. Result suggest a potensial foe the development of biopesticides. Anticancer: The major constituents of the volatile oil of fresh leaves of Strebius asper were phytol, a farnesene, trans-farnesl acetate, caryophyllene and trans-farnesene. The volatile oil showed significant anticancer activity from cytotoxicity primary screening test with mouse lymphocytic cells. Macrofilaricidal: The curde extract of the stem bark revealed significant macrofilaricidal activity against Litomosoides carinii and Brugia malayi in rodents. Study yielded two cardiac glycosids responsible for antifilarial activity. Anti-Inflammatory: Study result on experimental carragenan-induced paw edema in rats showed significant dose-dependent inhibition of edema. Result suggest a potential for S asper as an anti-inflammatory agent. Chemoprevent / Anti-Cancer: (1) Study using osteosarcoma cells in an in virto model, showed Streblus asper root extract exerted cell death to osteosarcoma cells. Study also showed antioxidant compound such as caffeic acid in hte root extracts which may act as a carcinogenic inhibitor. (2) Study of volatile oil of S asper from fresh leaves yielded phytol, a farnesene, trans-farnesyl acetate. Caryophyllene and trans-transt-a-farnesene. The volatile oil showed significant anticancer activity from cytotoxity screening tests with mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells. Antibacteriia: Study to determine the antibacterial effect of a leaf extract of Streblus asper against six anaerobic bacrerial showed inhibitory effect towards all bacterial strains except A actinomycomitans.