(Published in Enrich magazine, 2010)
FILIPINOS ARE AVID PATRONS of herbal medicine: they spend
anywhere from P75-90 billion on herbal medicines annually, according to the government.
That’s about half the total amount spent by Filipinos on medicine (both
synthetic and natural) every year.
It’s a massive amount that indicates a huge pent up demand
for herbal medicines, which have been a basic remedy in many Filipino homes
since the time of their “lolos” and “lolas” mostly because they’re cheaper than
synthetics. Today, some 60 legitimate manufacturers (mostly small and medium-scale
Filipino companies), small independent producers, multinational companies and a
growing list of importers (legitimate and otherwise) cater to this rise in
demand for traditional medicine.
Herbal medicines are defined as those that use natural herbs
and plants for the treatment or prevention of diseases and disorders, and for promoting
good health. The penchant for herbals is not peculiar to Filipinos, however. The
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of the world's population
presently uses herbal medicine as part of their primary health care. WHO also
revealed that 25% of modern drugs used in the United States are derived from
plants. Over 7,000 medical compounds in the modern pharmacopoeia also come from
plants, while some 35,000 plant species are estimated to have medicinal value.
The Department of Health (DOH) classifies herbal medicines
as either food or herbal supplements, emphasizing these are not meant as
alternatives to synthetic pharmaceuticals. Hence, the disclaimer, “No Approved
Therapeutic Claims,” all herbal medicines carry on their packaging. This
government concern also explains its warnings to the public to always check
whether the herbal products they buy are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and carry the FDA seal of approval.
Our government’s emphasis on product safety and efficacy is
matched by the natural health products industry whose
members have banded together as the Chamber of Herbal Industries of the
Philippines, Inc. (CHIPI). A self-regulating
industry group, CHIPI consists of 60 of the leading FDA-registered companies
engaged in the research and development, production, domestic and export
marketing of various natural health products including herbal medicine, food
supplements, cosmetics and home care products.
Beginning in the 1990s, a renewed interest in traditional medicine
has taken hold in the Philippines .
The government recognizes the importance of traditional medicine in providing
essential health care. It notes the practice of traditional medicine (passed on
from generation to generation) has gained a deep significance in health
delivery since most Filipinos still cannot afford expensive western medical
treatment.
A legitimate industry
Lito Abelarde, CHIPI chairman, said herbal products
registered with the FDA as herbal medicine or food supplements, like products
of CHIPI members, are not advertised as "miraculous" or "cure-alls.”
CHIPI has taken the
position that advertising any herbal product as "miraculous" and with
"cure-all" claims is improper, deceptive and against FDA regulations.
“All advertising copy of CHIPI member companies are closely
scrutinized and pre-approved by the Advertising Standards Council (ASC) which
strictly follows the guidelines of the FDA on allowable product claims. Members
of CHIPI strictly follow CHIPI's Code of Ethics that includes truth in
advertising,” he explained.
Abelarde said a few "bad eggs" that operate
outside of proper industry practices have managed to escape FDA supervision,
creating a bad image for the legitimate herbal companies and products that
adhere to FDA regulations.
He noted the natural
health products industry is a legitimate industry whose growth is due to, and
is regulated by a law, the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of
1997. TAMA declares it a policy of the Philippines to improve the quality
and delivery of health care services to Filipinos through the development of
traditional and alternative health care, and its integration into the national
health care delivery system. It also provides the legal framework that supports
the natural health products industry.
TAMA or Republic Act
No. 8423 created the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health
Care (PITAHC) to accelerate the development of traditional and alternative
health care in the Philippines .
PITAHC’s ex-officio chairman is Secretary of Health Dr. Esperanza Cabral.
Abelarde said CHIPI is encouraged that serious efforts are
now being undertaken to align FDA regulations for natural health products with
the new national health policy as established by TAMA. PITAHC recently
commissioned a group of PhDs in Pharmacy belonging to the National Institute of
Health of UP-Manila to act as its Technical Working Group in reviewing FDA
regulations on natural and herbal health products. The group will also propose
for PITAHC's approval a revised set of regulations in harmony with TAMA's
objectives.
“Hopefully once approved by PITAHC, the FDA will then adopt
these revisions,” Abelarde said. He expects the proposed revisions will set in
place new product categories and processes by which companies producing natural
and herbal health products can validate their products' therapeutic values and
be allowed to make appropriate therapeutic claims.
This then will lead to the phasing out of the disclaimer,"
No Approved Therapeutic Claims," the FDA requires as mandatory in labels of
all food supplement products. Abelarde noted this practice prevents companies
from saying what their products are for and deprives the public of the adequate
information needed to make informed decisions.
Approved herbal
plants
It will help consumers to know that DOH advocates the use of
10 herbal plants that have passed its "Traditional Health Program.” DOH
said these 10 herbs were rigorously tested and are clinically proven to have
medicinal value in the relief and treatment of various aliments. You can use
the acronym “TANAY BULBS” so you can easily remember the following 10 herbs:
Tsaang Gubat. Effective
against diarrhea and stomach ache. Boil the leaves in water and let the patient
drink it like a tea. Remember to cool and strain the decoction before drinking.
Scientific name: Carmona retusa.
Akapulko. Anti-fungal
treatment for ringworm, athlete’s foot, tinea flava and scabies. Scientific
name: Cassia alata L. English name: ringworm bush. Other name: Bayas bayabasan.
Niyug-niyogan. Anti-helmintic
(anti-parasite) whose seeds are effective in eliminating intestinal worms.
Dosage depends on the age: 5-7 seeds for children and 8-10 seeds for adults.
Not to be given to children under the age of 4, however. Scientific name:
Quisqualis indica L. English name: Chinese honeysuckle.
Ampalaya. Treatment
for diabetes (mild non-insulin dependent). Ampalaya leaves may be boiled or
blanched, or steamed and eaten. Ampalaya in pill and tablet forms are also
available. Scientific name: Mamordica charantia. English name: Bitter gourd,
balsam pear or balsam apple.
Yerba Buena. Used
to treat nausea and fainting (apply crushed leaves to nostrils), insect bites
(apply juice to affected body part) and as an analgesic for aches and pains
(use as a decoction).
Bawang. Known to
lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood. Crush a small piece
and apply to an aching tooth. Scientific name: Allium sativum. English name:
Garlic.
Ulasimang Bato.
Used to lower uric acid, and useful for patients with rheumatism and gout.
Prepared as a decoction. May also be eaten as a salad. Scientific name:
Peperonica pellucida. Other name: Pansit pansitan.
Lagundi. Commonly
used to treat asthma, cough and fever. May also be used as an aromatic bath for
sick persons. Scientific name: Vitex negundo. English name: Five-leaved chaste
tree.
Bayabas. Pounded
leaves can be used to ease a toothache. A decoction made from boiling its
leaves can be used as a mouthwash. Can also treat diarrhea and as an antiseptic
disinfectant for cleaning wounds. Scientific name: Psidium guajava L. English
name: Guava.
Sambong.
Primarily for anti-edema and a diuretic (it increases the excretion of urine). Also
known to prevent kidney stones. Scientific name: Blumea Balsifera; English
name: Haliban/Camphor.
A word of caution: consult with a doctor knowledgeable in
herbal medicine or Philippine medicinal plants before taking or mixing any herb
with prescription and non-prescription drugs. Some herbal medicines can have
adverse reaction when mixed with other drugs.
In the United
States , most herbal remedies are regulated
as dietary supplements. Manufacturers of products in this category are not
required to prove the safety or efficacy of their product. The U.S. FDA,
however, may withdraw a product from sale should it prove harmful. In the
European Union, herbal medicines are regulated under the European Directive on
Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products.
