flu

Local Names:
                       Lagundi (most dialects)
                        Five fingers (Eng.)
                        5-leaves chaste tree (Eng.)

Scientific Name:
                      Vitex negundo L.

Description:

           A shrucb growing wild in thickets and waste places. Its compound leaf has 3 to 5 leaflets. The flowers are blue and bell shaped. The small fruits black when ripe.

Medicinal Values:

          Boil a handful of leaves in water to produce a glassful of decoction. Adults and children may drink a glassful of decoction three times a day.

Local names:
                         Atsuete (most s\dialect)
                         Asuete (Ilok.)
                         Annato (Eng.)

Scientific Name:
                      Bixa Orellana L.

Description:

          A small tree bearing capsular fruits covered with soft spines. The bearing many contain many small, red seeds that produce the red annato dye. The leaves are ovate with a broad base and pointed tips. Flowers are small white or pinkish clusters.

Medicinal Values:

         Bruise the young leaves. Apply on forehead and temples. Leave for a few hours and change when the leaves dry up.

Local names:
                         Sambong (Tag.)
                         Sobsob (Ilok.)
                         Lakad-bulan (Bik.)
                         Alibhon (Bis.)

Scientific Name:
                         Blumea balsamefera L.

Description:

           A coarse, erect, hairy, aromatic shrub. The leaves are broadly elongated and alternately arranged. Its yellow flowers are borne on much branched and leafy clusters.

Medicinal Values:

          Get the very youngshoot. Peel off the bark. Munch it and let the juice pass gently through the throat.

Local names:
                         Solasi (Tag.)
                         Albahaka (Bis.)
                         Bidai (Ilok.)
                         Kamungkau (Bik.)
                         Sacred basil (Eng.)

Scientific Name:
                         Ocimum sanctum

Description:

           A branching herbaceous, hairy and aromatic plantt. The toothed leaves are somewhat oblong sometimes ovate. Pink and Purple flower form a long stalk at the end of the branches.

Medicinal Values:

         Prepare a decoction of the dried plant. Drink as tea to relieve the symptoms of flu.