BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NURSING
City of Malolos

Pharmacology Project Proposal

By Pampanga Group

Members:

Bondoc, Mary Ann

Calara, Bernadette

Gonzales, Jhey-O

Meneses, Ma. Paula Mikaela

Usman, Harvey
 Pharmacology Project Proposal

Setting: San Simon, Pampanga

Role: Health magazine journalists

Method:

To fully maximize the potentials of the project by using both creative and technical
writings, magazine approach will be used to feature the relationship of setting which is
Pampanga and alternative therapy specifically the use of herbal medicines.

Magazine Title:

The title of the magazine will be “Mangambul” an old Kapampangan word which means
“to plant” or “planter”

Magazine Parts:

o Front cover
o Editor’s letter
o Contributors – brief profile of the members
o Table of content
o Main feature article – alternative therapy in Pampanga
o Image-based articles – most commonly used herbal medicines in Pampanga
o Infographic section – benefits and preparation of herbal medicines
o Back cover

Herbal medicines:

o Balbas Pusa (Orthosiphon aristatus)

o Tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta)
o Mayana (Coleus scutellarioides)
o Trompang Elepante (Heliotropium indicum)
o Paragis (Eleusine indica)
o Buhok ng mais (corn hair)
Alternative Therapy in the Philippines

Health care is one of the most important facets in the lives of each individual yet, it has
been said that in the Philippines, especially among those living below the poverty line, illness is
seen as a catastrophe.

Based on the study of the University of the Philippines National Health Institute, six out
of 10 Filipinos who are ill just die for not ever seeing a doctor due to financial constraints.

The Department of Health, on the year 1992 through former Health Secretary and Senator
Juan M. Flavier, first came with Traditional Medicine Program by virtue of Administrative Order
No. 12. The program was set to promote and advocate traditional medicine in the Philippines.

Thus on 1997, the Senate and House Representatives of the Philippines enacted Republic
Act No. 8423 "Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997" or An Act Creating
the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) to accelerate the
development of traditional and alternative health care in the Philippines, providing for a
traditional and alternative health care development fund and for other purposes.

The law recognizes the importance of traditional or alternative medicine in providing

essential health care to the people. Despite the medical treatment provided by the Western
countries which at most could not be afforded by Filipinos living below the poverty line,
traditional medicine which has been passed from generation to generation has become significant
in our health care system.

Alternative Therapy in Pampanga

Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in different Ayta communities in other provinces

of Central Luzon such as Pampanga. A study conducted by Ragragio et al. documented that Ayta
communities in Porac, Pampanga still use plants as foods and medicines.

Since most of the Ayta communities are located near the forest, they have an abundance
of medicinal plants in their surroundings. Some of these medicinal plants are also cultivated.
Ragragio et al. also noted that medicinal plants used by Ayta communities in Porac, Pampanga
also came from kitchen garden and open fields. There are only few identified species that can
only be found in the mountains.
Herbal Medicines:

1. Balbas Pusa

Scientific Name: Orthosiphon aristatus

Kapampangan Name: Balbas pusa

Filipino Name: Kabling gubat

English Name: Cat’s whiskers, Indian kidney tea,

Java tea, Kidney tea plant

Distribution and availability: Can be found all over

Pampanga specially to grass fields, farms and even
home gardens
Properties: Anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, diuretic and hypoglycemic. Studies
have showed diuretic, antioxidant, anti-tumor, hypouricemic, nephroprotective, anti-diabetic,
antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antifungal, properties.
Parts utilized: Leaves
Preparation: Tea made from leaves and fresh or dried flowers and leaf poultice applied topically
Commonly used by Kapampangans for (health benefits):

 Treatment for gout by drinking tea derived from Balbas pusa

 Aid urination by drinking tea derived from Balbas pusa
 Aid inflammation in mouth and skin by chewing leaves and applying leaf poultice to the
site of inflammation on the skin
Related studies:
A study entitled “Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Orthosiphon aristatus
and Its Bioactive Compounds” conducted by Agric (2010) identified components of Balbas pusa
which are methanol, ethanol and water extracts can be used as antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory. Native Kapampangans are highly dependent on their crops and livestock. In fact,
Pampanga is well known for poultry and rice farms; thus, most of them use what are affordable
and available remedies for their illnesses and so the use of crushed leaves of Balbas pusa applied
on their skin when inflamed is a common practice.
Another study entitled “Orthosiphon aristatus (Bl.) Miq. (Balbas Pusa) Extract as
Anthelmintic” conducted Calubaquib (2013) discovered the efficacy of the leaf extract as
antihelminthic to control parasite population through various laboratory experiments. The results
revealed that treated swine manifested decreased number of worm eggs and reduced number of
adult worms. The study concludes that Orthosiphon aristatus crude extract effectively controls
swine parasites
 2. Tawa-tawa

Scientific Name: Euphorbia hirta

Kapampangan Name: Bolobotonis, Magatas, Malis-

malis

Filipino Name: Tawa-tawa, Gata-gatas, Butobutonisan

English Name: Asthma plant, Cat’s hair, Snake weed

Distribution and availability: Abundant in Pampanga

especially in open grasslands

Properties: Considered anti-asthmatic, antibacterial,

antifertility, antifungal, antimalarial, anti-spasmodic,
anthelmintic, antidysenteric, diuretic, expectorant,
pectoral, hemostatic, sedative, soporific. Studies have
suggested antibacterial, antidiabetic, hypolipidmic, anti-
inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, diuretic, anthelmintic,
antiallergic, antihypertensive, antidiarrheal,
galactogenic, anxiolytic, sedative, antitumor,
molluscicidal, antimalarial, antioxidant,
immunomodulatory, antidengue, antiviral, platelet
increasing, antiarthritic, cardioprotective, antipsoriasis,
wound healing properties.

Parts utilized: Entire plant, latex, leaves, roots.

Preparation: Tea, juice, tincture, and leaf poultice

Commonly used by Kapampangans for (health benefits):

 Fever treatment from tea derived from Tawa-tawa extract

 Asthma treatment from tea derived from Tawa-tawa extract

Related Literature:

An article in Philippine News Agency entitled “‘Tawa-tawa’ can raise platelets in dengue
patients: ex-city doc” written by Agoot (2019) discussed the clinical trial results of the former
assistant heath officer Dr. John Tinoyan on how Tawa-tawa can increase the platelet and red
blood cells of a dengue patient. His trials were conducted in Luzon and his grandchild who had
dengue that time was his first test subject. Later then he formulated a capsule from dried Tawa-
tawa and placed them in Emergency Medical Kit which was given free for dengue patients.
 Another study exploring the effects of Tawa-tawa on haemorrhagic dengue fever entitled
“Investigation of the anti-thrombocytopenic property of euphorbia hirta linn (Tawa-Tawa)
decoction in rat models” conducted by the Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Sto. Tomas used
chloramphenicol, ethanol and heparin to induce thrombocytopenia on rat models to mimic
haemorrhagic dengue fever in their laboratory experiment. Results showed that platelet count
increased by 47% depending on the drug used to induce thrombocytopenia. Bleeding time was
reduced up to 62% while blood clotting time decreased to 58% compared to the control groups.
Overall, it was discovered that Tawa-tawa promotes cell production and platelet destruction.

3. Mayana

Scientific Name: Coleus scutellarioides

Kapampangan Name: Mayana

Filipino Name: Mayana, Malaina

English Name: Butterfly Coleus, Common

Coleus

Distribution and availability: Grows throughout Pampanga especially in grasslands and home
gardens

Properties: Carminative, vulnerary and studies suggest antimicrobial, antioxidant, anthelmintic,

antimalarial, phytoremediative analgesic, anti-inflammatory properties

Parts utilized: Leaves, seeds, bark.

Preparation: Tincture and leaf poultice

Commonly used by Kapampangans for (health benefits):

 Treatment for wounds from Mayana leaf poultice

 Reduce inflammation from Mayana leaf poultice
 Treatment for headache from Mayana tincture
Related studies:

A study by Moron (2017) entitled “Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Ointment in Wound
Healing of Albino Rats (Rattus albus)” and by Sushen and Delera (2018) entitled “Wound
Healing Activity of Mayana Coleus blumei leaf extract topical solution on albino rabbits”
conducted laboratory experiments on how efficient Mayana to heal wound by measuring the
percentage of wound contraction and the number of days of complete wound healing and was
proven that Mayana have healing properties. Until this day, Kapampangans never forget to use
Mayana when they have skin lesions or inflammation because of its efficiency in treating
wounds; it was always been their practice that is why most of their home gardens have Mayana
included in it.

4. Trompang elepante

Scientific Name: Heliotropium indicum

Kapampanga Name: Ulad-ulara

Filipino Name: Higad-higaran, Hinlalayon

English Name: Indian turnsole, Scorpion weed

Distribution and availably: Found as common weed in

Pampanga that grows on grasslands, farms, and gradens

Properties: No taste, cooling effect, insecticide-

antidermatosis; leaves are emollient and diuretic; drug
causes contraction of muscular fibers, mucous
membranes and other tissues; studies have suggest
antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antitumor, anti-
inflammatory, antinociceptive, diuretic, wound
healing, repellent, gastroprotective, immunostimulant,
abortifacient and antiimplantation properties.

Parts utilized: Entire plant

Preparation: Juice, tincture and leaf poultice

Commonly used by Kapampangans for (health

benefits):

 Treatment for coughs from juice derived from Trompang elepante

 Wound treatment from Trompang elepante tincture of leaf poultice

Related studies:

A study entitled “Antitussive and antibacterial activity of Trompang Elepante

(Heliotropium indicum Linn)” conducted by Villa et al. (2016) explored the effectiveness of
Trompang elepante on lab rats for its ability to relieve coughs and disinfect wounds. The result
of the experiment showed that the components of Trompang elepante like alkaloids, saponins,
cardiac glycosides and terpenoids were effective compounds that exhibit antibacterial activity
against disease pathogens like K. pneumoniae and S. pyogens.
 5. Paragis

Scientific Name: Eleusine indica

Kapampangan Name: Hayapaw, Parangis-sabungan

Filipino Name: Bakis-bakisan, Paragis, Gagabutan

English Name: Crow foot, Crab grass

Distribution and availability: A common weed in

Pampanga found in backyards, grassland and farms

Properties: Plant considered diuretic, antihelmintic,

diaphoretic, febrifuge; studies have shown anti-
inflammatory, antiplasmodial, antidiabetic,
phytoremediative, pancreatic lipase inhibitory,
antioxidant, antileishmanial, antioxidant, cytotoxic,
anticonvulsant, antibacterial properties.

Parts utilized: Whole plant, leaves, roots, leaf juice.

Preparation: Roots and seeds are edible; roots eaten

raw, young seedling raw or cooked, leaf poultice

Commonly used by Kapampangans for (health benefits):

 Aid urination from juice derived from Paragis extract

 Aid digestion specilly diarrhea from juice derived from Paragis extract
 Sprain treatments from Paragis leaf poultice
 Insect repellent

Related studies:

A study entitled “A survey of plants used as repellents against hematophagous insects by

the Ayta people of Porac, Pampanga province, Philippines” conducted by Obico and Ragragio
(2014) discussed the traditional practice of Aytas of using Paragis as insect repellent especially
they live in the forest, mountain and secluded areas. They identified Paragis as one of the herbal
medicines used by the ethnic group in their daily lives; furthermore, they encouraged the Ayta
people to grow more Paragis in their community to prevent vector-borne diseases such as dengue
and malaria.
 6. Buhok ng mais

Scientific Name: Zea mays

Kapampangan Name: buwak mais

Filipino Name: Buhok ng mais

English Name: Corn’s hair

Distribution and availability: Found in corn farms in

Pampanga and can be bought from local markets

Properties: Considered anodyne, antilithic, antiseptic,

cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, hypoglycemic,
hypotensive, lithotriptic, tonic, vasodilator; studies suggest
hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticataract,
nephroprotective, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antiplasmodial, aphrodisiac, antidepressant
properties.

Parts utilized: Hair

Preparation: Tea, poultice

Commonly used by Kapampangans for (health benefits):

 Aid in urination especially dysuria and infection or pain in urinary organ/s from tea from
boiling corn silks
 Aid in digestion specially abdominal pain from tea from boiling corn silks
 Treatment for wounds and sores from corn silk’s poultice

Related studies:

A study entitled “Antioxidant activity, phenolic profile, chlorophyll and mineral matter
content of corn silk (Zea mays L): Comparison with medicinal herbs” conducted by Zilic et al.
(2016) showed the different components and health benefits of corn silk; some of these are: corn
silk is a good source of phenolic compounds which have antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-
inflammatory activities and a high level in potassium which is associated with its diuretic effect.
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