The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines (1901) T.H. Pardo De Tavera translated by Jerome B. Thomas, Jr. A.B., M.D.

Non-Aboriginal material.

From the beginning of human civilization, people have depended on plants to cure disease, promote healing of injuries, and alleviate pain. In many places that has changed very little. In the West, however, herbal and botanical cures have long been ignored in favor of "scientific medicine." But the benefits of medicinal plants are being rediscovered in many developed countries, where consumers are turning to such therapies in place of, and in addition to, Western medical treatments. And, all over the world, the drive to lower the cost of health care has made herbals and botanicals an attractive alternative to more expensive synthetic remedies. In 1978, the World Health Organization responded to increased interest in medicinal plants by convening a series of international consultations, seminars, and symposia to explore and promote the use of medicinal plants. Medicinal Plants presents the proceedings of the last of these symposia, held in 1993. It brings together an vast range of information and presents an overview of the use of medicinal plants that includes a discussion of a variety of issues—scientific, economic, regulatory, agricultural, cultural—focused on the importance of medicinal plants to primary health care and global health care reform.

* This publication presents the most relevant and useful information about the herbs and plants grown in the most common surroundings in the city, and in the province of the PhilippinesThe Philippines is considered one of the megadiversity centers of the world. It is also a country blessed with a rich natural plant life. Constituting a significant part of bountiful biological resources are the country's endemic, indigenous, and exotic species of plants. A number of these plants grow spontaneously in various habitats and thrive on their own. A huge number of natural and introduced flora in the Philippines are normally used for regular home cooking or used for medicinal purposes. Plants play an important role in the lives of Filipinos as they provide the basic human needs of food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. Many other herbs are known for traditional medicine; these are discussed in the third chapter, which cites the various medicinal formulations for certain illnesses such as common cough and colds, heart disease, and diabetes to name a few. The fourth chapter looks at herbs for concoctions that promote wellness through teas, juices, rubs, and special washes. The fifth and last chapter discusses growing herbs in all types of spaces. It is the intention of this book to present the most relevant and useful information about the herbs and plants grown in the most common surroundings in the city, and in the province. Contents: Introduction; Philippine herbal plants and their uses; Cooking with Herbs; Medicinal benefits of Herbs; Concoctions; Herb gardens and markets; Biographical notes; Index; Acknowledgments.