LEC 1 LEC 2

Introduction to non-timber forest products Significance and some Statistics on NTFPs

NTFPs – include products derived from trees
other than timber, such as bark, roots, leaves,
fruits, extracts or sap, and products from
non-timber yielding plants such as bamboos,
rattan, forest vines and palms.
- Can include small products made of
ligneous materials such as wooden stools,
masks, drum, or other handcrafted items that
are not industrial timber of pulp.
NTFPs are important because of their
contribution to:
-household and national economies
-food security
-environmental objectives (w/c could include
the ability to store and sequester carbon)
-the conservation of biological diversity

NTFPs according to De Beer and McDermott NTFPs with production data:

(1989) – NTFPs encompasses all biological
materials other than timber that are extracted
from forests for human use

Non-Wood Forest Products (NWPs) – These are

good of biological origin other than wood,
derived from forest, other wooded land, and
trees outside forests (FAO, 1999)

Special forest products (US Forest Service) – are

products or natural resources that are not
traditional timber and fiber products. Also
known as non-convertible products, because
they are products that are not converted into
board foot or cubic foot

Heritage Value – the worth or importance NTFPs with Export Data (in thousand kg)
attached by people to qualities of places,
categorized as aesthetic, evidential, communal,
or historical value

Evidential Value – value deriving from the

potential of a place to yield evidence about past
human activity

NTFPs according to CIFOR – Non-timber forest

products (NTFPs) are any product or service
other than timber that is produced in forest.
They include fruits and nuts, vegetables, fish
and game, medicinal plants, resins, essences
and a range of barks and fibers such as bamboo,
rattans, and a host of other palms and grasses
Trends and Related Statistics on NTFPs
-Approximately, 300 million people in the
ASEAN region live and depend on the forest for
sustenance in areas that are managed by the
local people, where indigenous peoples
significantly make up such communities (FAO,
2010)
Who are the NTFP Stakeholders?
-Mostly poor and vulnerable
-Remote or distant from centers of trade
-Hardly participate in crafting policies and
decisions that affect them
-Collect NTFPs for substance or to barter them
with co-dwellers
-For cash income, they generally depend on
traders for market access
- They fail to provide consistency needed for
aggregating and comparing NTFPs for trade
analysis, provision of market information, export
potential, or long-term planning for product
development
- There is undervaluation or resources extracted
and used from forests other than timber, which
diminishes estimates of the overall contribution
to gross domestic product (GDP) and to national
welfare of forests and associated products
Examples of Classification of NTFPs
1. Categories of minor forest products (Brown
and Fischer, 1920)

-Using the value chain approach, stakeholders

also include the traders, processors, vendors,
consumers, and value chain supporters and
enablers

Why the Growing Interest in NTFPs?

-Increased realization of reliance of indigenous

and rural people on these resources

-Using NTFPs is fashionable, thus, it is “green” or

“environment-friendly.”

-It contributes to achieving Sustainable Forest

Management (SFM)

LEC 3

Score and Classification of NTFPs 2. FAO Classification, 1991

- NTFPs are not agricultural products

- Generally, without the benefit of intensive

cultivation (cash and high value crops,
vegetable, coconut, and biofuels vs rattans)

- NTFPs are gathered or harvested from

Forestlands or related ecosystems

Classification of NTFPs
Category Description
Food Wild, domesticated, well as cut and
semi-domesticated dried-flower trades
plants, usable weeds,
fungi, etc. and their
edible roots, tubers, 3. Iqbal (1993) Classification based on
bulbs, stems, leaves, Commercial significance
shoots, flowers,
fruits, seeds, etc. to
provide cereals,
vegetables, met
tenderizers,
beverages, and thirst
quenchers
Forage Food for livestock
and wildlife
Pharmaceuticals Drugs, anesthetics,
ointments, lotions,
purgatives, for both
human and
veterinary use
Toxins For hunting, ordeal
poisons,
hallucinogens,
pesticides, and
fungicides
Aromatics Essential oils for
cosmetic and
perfume industries,
unguents, and
incense
Industrial Chemicals Non-edible fats and
and Biochemicals oils, naval stores,
waxes, gums and
latex, dyes, tannins,
biochemicals for
plastics and coatings,
paints, and varnish 4. Proposed Classification for the Philippines
industries by Razal and Palijon, 2009

Fiber Cloth, matting,

cordage, basketry,
brooms, stuffing for
pillows, and cork
Ornamentals Aesthetically pleasing
plants for
horticultural and
amenity planting, as
A. Plant Sources of Structural Materials and C. Plants Producing Chemical or Extractive
Fiber Products Products
-Structural material include forest products
other than timber that can be used as wood
substitutes for building house, making
furniture, and in fabricating farming and
fishing tools, carpentry works, as well as
toys and musical instruments
-Fiber products are those used in the
cordage and cottage industries, as well as
the manufacture of fabric, baskets, bags,
mats, hats, and other personal accessories
D. Sources of essential oils
B. Plants Producing Medicinal and Cosmetic
Products E. Sources of seed oils

-Medicinal plants contain properties or F. Plants Providing Edible Fruits and Nuts
compounds that can be used for therapeutic
-They are also known as: Forest food,
purposes or those that are to synthesize
forest-based foods, wild foods
metabolites to produce useful drugs
G. Animal and Animal-Derived Products
-Medicinal plants constitute an important
component of forest flora -These pertain to the animals themselves
such as butterflies, insects, fish, or products
-Cosmetics are defined as intended to be
that are obtained from or produced by the
applied to the human body for cleansing,
various fauna that thrive in the forest
beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or
altering the appearance without affecting
the body’s structure or functions (U.S Food
LEC 4
and Drug Administration)
Introduction to Rattans and their
-Cosmetics are substances or products used
Importance
to enhance the appearance or scent of the
body -As an NTFP, rattans belong to the group
referred to as “sources of structural
-Generally, mixture of chemical compounds
materials and fiber products”, which include
that can be derived either from natural
the following:
sources or synthetic products
1. rattans
2. other important pals: buri, nipa, anahaw,
ambolong
3. bamboos
4. forest vines: nito, kilob, hingiw
5. sources of leaf fibers: tikog, tiger grass,
pandan
6. plants producing stem or bast fibers;
bamban, salago, malaboho
7. climbing aroids, sources of root fibers

RATTAN – anglicized version of Malayan

term ‘rotan’ – the collective name for
climbing members of a big group of palms
with scaly fruits
Rotan – derived from the word ‘raut’ which
connotes the clearing and splitting of rattan
stems.
Climbing organs: Rattans are special NTFPS because:

Cirrus – extension of leaf midrib 1. They have high economic importance

Flagellum – arises from an inflorescence or 2. Most of the regions in the country

leaf sheath’s axil that enables the rattan
plant to climb trees for support
contribute to rattan production
3. Rattan canes, in solid or split form, are
used as raw materials for the furniture and
handicraft industry
4. They generate employment, income,
foreign exchange, and forest charges

Rattan cane as a material:

-they are preferred for making wickerwork
-Wickerwork – products consisting of LEC 5
plaited or woven twigs such as osier;
Properties of Rattan Poles
articles such as basket or chair made of
wicker (slender pliant twig) Anatomical Properties:
-rattan-made products are widely accepted
in the international market
-there is global recognition for rattan
furniture products made by Filipino
designers

-Cebu (Philippines) rattan furniture

companies produce innovative high-end
furniture designs, use mixed materials, and
continuously train the workforce to become
more skilled in furniture making and design
-Rattan production, collection and
harvesting are covered by a Department
Administrative Order (DAO No.4 series of
1989) Revised Regulations Governing Rattan
Resources. Supersedes Bureau of Forest
Development Administrative Order No. 2-85
Rattan Special Deposit (RSD)
-Collection of specific amounts from holders
of cutting licenses
-would form a trust fund deposit to be used
for the replanting of areas with rattan
pursuant to the conditions of the
rattan-cutting license
-However, the collection has not been
accessed because they are pooled in the
National Treasury
-Thus, there has been no replanting of Variation in Anatomical Properties within
rattan charged against the Rattan Special the Stem:
Deposit. From the periphery to the center and from
the base to the top:
-increase in the size of vascular bundles,
decrease in the number of vascular bundles
per unit area
-decrease in fiber percentage and fiber cell
wall thickness
Physical Properties
Moisture content – the MC of rattan poles
varies within a culm and is influenced by the
age, season, and the species of the cane
-the MC increases with the height: 60%-75%
at the base and 145%-154% at the top
portion
Shrinkage – across the diameter of rattan,
shrinkage decreases with height along the
longitudinal direction, shrinkage increases
with height
Density/Specific gravity – decreases from
the periphery to the core
-highest at the base and lowest at the top
Mechanical Properties
-the cane possesses both elastic and plastic
properties
-canes with higher densities have higher
strength values (MOR in compression, MOR
and MOE in bending) compared to less
dense samples
-bending, compression and shear tests (on 5
Malaysian canes) showed that the strength
of the cane varied significantly among
species. Reason is that the variation in
vascular frequency among species.
-as the amount of vascular bundle
increases, density of the cane also increases
leading to an increase in strength
-the most important factors influencing the
strength of the cane are species, age, stem,
position, fiber proportion, fiber wall
thickness, specific gravity, and moisture
content.
LEC 6
Harvesting and Utilization of Rattan
Harvesting of Rattan Poles
-15 years of growth for natural stands while
10-15 years for plantations
-estimated that 30% of the total supply of
rattan poles are wasted during harvesting
-mature poles, leaf sheaths fall to the
ground, their thorns become blackened.
Poles change color from green to yellow
with corresponding increases in strength
and firmness
-the best time to harvest mature poles is
during the dry season
Processes Involved in the Manufacture of
Rattan Products:
LEC 7
Other Important Palms
-Buri
-Nipa

-Anahaw

-Ambolong

Lecture 8 (Introduction to Bamboo)
-There are 62 species of bamboo present in
the Philippines (Rojo, 1996)
-Globally, 91 genera >1200 species
Commercial Bamboo Species in the
Philippines:
1. Kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumeana)
-dense, profuse spines at the base
-culms used in construction, furniture
manufacture, farm equipment, kitchen
utensils
2. Kawayan killing (Bambusa vulgaris)
-internodes bluish green, slightly grooved at
the branch side
-culms classified as soft bamboo, used in
light construction and handicrafts
3. Bayog (Bambusa merrilliana)
-used in construction, furniture, arched
yoke for carabao’s neck, green culms split
and made into ropes
-lower nodes beset with aerial roots
4. Giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper)
-culm with swollen node and velvety brown
hairs soft to the touch
-used in house construction and furniture
-young shoots are edible
5. Bolo (Gigantochloa levis)
-nodes covered with flatly pressed brown
hairs with very dense hairs all over the culm
sheath and blades
-the only Philippine species that displays
“witches’ broom”, which is composed of
several thin, long, and crowded branchlets
often mistaken as immature flowering parts
-culms used in construction, basketry and
furniture; produces excellent edible shoots
6. Buho (Schyzostachyum lumampao)
-clumps 2-3m in diameter, with more or less
200 culms
-with long, hollow internodes, 1cm thick at
first internode, becoming 0.17 cm thin at
the top
-for making sawali, baskets, fences, spear,
flutes, and other articles
7. Anos (Schyzostachyum lima) -bamboo is strong for its weight
-almost similar to Buho, only with shorter
and narrower culms
Lecture 9 (Properties and Harvesting of
-culm wall, 0.17-0.5mm thick Bamboo)
-with ‘sandpapery’ hairs on the internode, Not all Bamboos are the same
which enables its use for polishing metals
-they differ in growth characteristics and
-used for making sawali; young shoots are requirements
edible
-they differ in geometric (morphological)
properties
8. Kayali (Gigantochloa atter) -they differ in basic properties: anatomical,
chemical, physical, and mechanical
-young culms powdery waxy
properties
-cuml sheaths deciduous
-consequently, they differ in uses, as well as
-internodes bluish green in other properties and performance in
service
-used in construction, household utensils,
and handicrafts
9. Laak (Sphaerobambos philippinensis)
-grows in Mindanao
-used as props for banana

Characteristic Features/Advantages of
Bamboo:
-it is a highly versatile material
-it can be easily and profitably grown on all
types of soil
Physical and Mechanical Properties
-it has a short initial harvest cycle
-from the base to the top of the culm, the
-demand for bamboo products in the
specific gravity and strength is increasing
international market is increasing
-MC at the uppermost sections is generally
-bamboo is excellent for soil conservation
lower than that at the bottom
-bamboo can easily be worked with using
simple tools
-Higher %shrinkage values in samples taken
from the butt portion than the middle and
Ovality (out of roundness or non-circularity)
top portions of the culm
Geometric Properties
-refer to the directly measurable
dimensions of a pole, such as diameter, wall
thickness, internodal length, and culm
length; Include properties that represent a
deviation from a straight, hollow cylinder
and that require some calculation such as
bow, taper, and ovality

-Internode diameter = measured at the

center if the internode Specific gravity and density

-culm wall thickness = measured at the

center of the internode
Geometric properties: Bow

Volume of Bamboo

Taper (external taper)

-the external taper can significantly reduce
the bending and compression capacity of a
culm. The external taper should be reported
and considered in the grading process] Importance of proper harvesting of bamboo
Best season to harvest bamboo

Lecture 11
Other Plant Sources of Fibers
Fiber producing plants
● Stem fibers (runo, bamban, salago,
malaboho)
● Vines (nito, kilob, hinggiw)
● Leaf fibers (Pandan, Tikog, Tiger
grass – more of the inflorescence)
Highly recommended time to harvest ● Climbing aroids (root fibers –
Bamboo lukmoy, amlong, dugtong, balong
kahinai)

Runo or Tanlak (Miscanthus sinensis

Anders.)
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Family: Poaceae

Uses of Runo (tanlak)

Techniques in harvesting bamboo poles For making native blinds or frame
Other uses : trays, baskets, hanging 6. In India, young leaves mixed with
ornaments cow milk used for seven days to
remove sterility in women.
Forest Vines
1. Lygodium circinatum (Nito)
2. Lygodium flexuosum (Nitong Puti) Hinggiw (Streptocaulon baumii)
3. Lygodium japonicum (Nitong Pula)
Uses:
4. Lygodium microphyllum (Agsam,
Nito-nitoan) - Baskets
- Fruit trays
Uses of Nito
- Crafts
1. Basket - Tying materials
2. Nito Plates - Ropes
- Fences
Forest Vines
Kilob (Dicranopteris linearis)
Other vines:
- Also known as dilim, which is the
origin of Diliman, the main campus Hagnaya or Diliman (Stenochlaena palustris
of UP (Burm.) Bedd.)
Uses of kilob Kingdom: Plantae
1. Edible Division: Pteridophyta
- The leaves are a good source of
Family: Blechnaceae
micronutrients.
2. Folkloric
- Young leaves are used as poultice,
Uses:
decoction or infusion for fever.
- Plant used as anti-asthmatic. - Stems used as tying materials for
- Roots of pulasan (Nephelium fish traps; split stems made into bags
mutabile) are boiled with D. linearis and baskets, attaché case, decors
and used for bathing feverish - Edible young shoots
patients. Used for bloody diarrhea.
3. In Indo-China, used as anthelmintic.
4. In Malaysia, crushed leaves used as Baling-uai (Flagellaria indica L.)
poultice to control fever; juice of
Kingdom: Plantae
leaves used in baths for fever.
5. In New Guinea, used to treat boils, (unranked): Angiosperms
ulcers and wounds.
(unranked): Monocots
Family: Flagellariaceae
Uses:
- For tying shingles, fences, basket
weaving
Plant Sources of Leaf fibers and their Uses
• Pandan
• Tikog
• Tiger grass
Pandan
- Screw pine (spiral arrangement of
leaves; fruits resemble pineapple)
- A monocot, belonging to order
Pandanales
- Occurs in clay loam soil within
humid areas and along the seashore,
lagoons, and mangrove fringes,
lowland swamps, along rivers,
mountain forest and in shady forest
and even under coconut plantations
- Composed of at least 51 species and
8 undescribed taxa
- have characteristic prop roots, and
spines are scattered all over the
trunk
Some common species of pandan
● Karagomoi (Pandanus simplex) –
common in Bicol, Quezon and
Laguna province (Luisiana and
Majayjay)
● Sabotan (P. sabotan) erect like
Karagomoi but shorter, leaves
narrower
● Pandan dagat (P. tectorius)
● Pandan banguhan (P. amaryllifolius)
Uses of Pandan Leaves
- leaves are stripped and made into
fine mats, lady's handbags, hats,
baskets and other handcrafted and
novelty items such as wall decors,
picture frames, portfolios, and fancy
slippers
- for making cocooning frames - as
“bean bags”
Harvesting and Processing of Pandan
- Leaves reach a length of about 3 to 5
m as the plantation becomes older
- middle-aged leaves having uniformly
light green color along the entire
length are carefully selected and
harvested, usually at intervals of six
to eight weeks.
- The average yield per plant is about
three to five leaves per harvesting
- For easier handling and hauling and
to prevent injury, the spines at the
margin and midrib of the leaves are
immediately removed with a
specially designed knife
Transporting and Drying
- harvested leaves are bundled and
transported manually or on a horse,
cart or any available vehicle
 - the leaves are stripped into desired
sizes using an improvised metal
stripper called “agpang” and then
sun- dried
- length of the drying period depends
on the weather - during hot sunny
days, drying is complete within three
to four hours
- strips to be used for hat-making
require two hours of drying
- during the rainy season, the split
leaves are air-dried by hanging them
in a shaded area for two to three
days or even a week.
- Over-dried strips are brittle and
unsuitable for weaving.
​Pre-pressing and weaving
- Pre-pressing improves the quality of
the leaves; done by flattening the
leaves using a heavy roller made of
round timber with one end resting
on a concrete or large timber
- Large, heavy rocks add to the weight
by tying them tightly around the log
- The roller, called “ilohan,” has a
handle on both sides which rolls the
log back and forth while the split
leaves are pressed
- Women and children do the
weaving; For hats, a “hulmahan” or
mold is used
- Depending on the weaver’s skill,
either 15 bags, or 7 hats, or 1 mat
can be produced per day.
Tikog – Fimbristylis spp.
- a perennial sedge plant belonging to the
Cyperaceae family
- Two species of tikog in the Philippines
used in the weaving of mats
- Fimbristylis globulosa (Retz.) Kunth
- FimbristylisutilisElm.
Tikog
- used in the production of mats for
sleeping, praying and for decorative
purposes.
- indigenous to the Philippines, with
long history of use by the local
weaving industry (weaving mats in
existence in the Visayan region long
before the Spaniards came).
- Almost every woman has learned
the art of weaving at an early age.
- The weavers are locally known as
“paraglara”
Product of Tikog
- Tikog pouch
- Banig
Harvesting and Processing of Tikog
● Harvesting and transport
● drying,
● sorting/grading,
● bundling and storing
● dyeing,
● flattening,
● weaving, and
● embroidery
Tiger Grass (Thysanolaena maxima)
 - A member of family Poaceae
- known by a variety of names such as
bugubi, buibui, cagache, gatbo, lasa
or tambu, tagadeu, tagisa, lubanum,
or talankaran
- plant can be recognized easily
because of its fully open panicle and
its very numerous minute spikelets
- phloem, or inner bark, responsible
for the translocation of food
materials from the leaves
Natural Bast Fibers are strong, cellulosic
fibers obtained from the phloem or outer
bark of jute, kenaf, flax and hemp plants

- attains a maximum height of about 2 Bamban (Donax cannaeformis (Forst.) K.

m; inflorescence, including its stalk, Schum.)
can reach a length of up to 1 m
- Used to make bags, mats, baskets
- leaves have striking resemblance
and trays
with those of bamboo
- ​Used Largely In Making Brooms
- BroomsmadefromCatanduanesandS
orsogonarebroughtto
- Baguio and labeled/sold as
Baguio-made products
Salago (Wikstroemia species)
Some steps in making brooms
Family: Thymelaeaceae
1. Assembly
Genus: Wikstroemia Endl.
2. tightening,
3. and finishing - Bark fibers are used to make paper

Herbs, Shrubs, or Trees that Produce Stem Malaboho (Sterculia oblongata R. Br.)
or Bast Fibers
- Fibers extracted from the bark are
1. Bamban (Donax cannaeformis used to make rope, paper, hats,
(Forst.) K. Schum.) handbags, etc.
2. Salago (Wikstroemia species)
3. Malaboho (Sterculia oblongata R.
Br.) Climbing Aroids, Plant Sources of Root
Fibers
Climbing Aroids
Bast Fibers
- monocotyledonous vines belonging to
- bundles of fibers that are formed at
family Araceae that cling on many tropical
the fibro- vascular region of the
trees and are characterized by their
trunk
prominent, stout aerial roots that more
often extend from the top of tall trees down
to the ground

Lukmoy (Scindapsus curanii Engl. & Krausse)

- basket
- wind chimes
Amlong (Epipremnum pinnatum (L) Engl.)
- often harvested from the wild for
local medicinal use
Lecture 12 (Plants Producing Medicinal and
Cosmetic Products)
Primary reason for the rise of lifestyle
health diseases in the PH:
1. increasing consumption of refined foods,
sugar, fats and oils, and preserved foods
2. increasing salt consumption
3. Decreasing per capita fish consumption in
favor of chicken and pork
4. Physical activity
5. Low consumption of vegetables. Fruit
roots. Tubers. Beans, nuts, and seeds in the
region
10 Herbal Medicines in the PH developed
and promoted by NIRPORMP:
1. Akapulko (Cassia alata syn. Senna alata)
External use:
-treatment of skin diseases; tinea infections,
insect bites, ringworms, eczema, scabies,
and itchiness
-mouthwash in stomatitis
Internal use:
-alleviation of asthma symptoms
-used as diuretic and purgative
-for cough and fever
-as a laxative to expel intestinal parasites
and other stomach problems
2. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia var.
Makiling)
-the plant contains at least three active
substances with anti-diabetic properties,
including charantin, which has been
confirmed to have a blood glucose lowering
effect, vicine and an insulin like compound
known as polypeptide-p
-contains a lectin that reduces blood
glucose concentration
3. Bawang (Allium sativum)
-relief of asthma and pharyngitis
-recommended relief of rheumatism,
dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea
-treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu,
and other bronchopulmonary disorders
-alleviate symptoms of chicken pox
-removal of worms of boils
6. Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica)

-attributed to its sulfur-containing

compounds, such as allicin, diallyl disulfide,
diallyl trisulfide, and others
4. Bayabas (Psidium guajava)
-it has two novel ellagitannins, quisqualin A
(1) and quisqualin B (2) in the fruits; 21
other tannins were isolated from either the
fruits or leaves of Q. indica including eleven
ellagitannins

-contains an essential oil rich cineol,

tannins, triterpenes, flavonoids, resin,
eugenol, malic acid, fat, cellulose,
chlorophyll, mineral salts
5. Lagundi (Vitex negundo)

7. Pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida)

8. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)

Other forest-based medicinal plants

Noni or Bangkoro (Morinda citrifolia)

Gogo (Entada rheedii)

9. Tsaang gubat (Carmona retusa)

-stomach pains
Balanoy (Ocimum basilicum)
-gastroenteritis
-intestinal motility
-dysentery
-diarrhea or loose bowel movement
-mouth gargle
-body cleanser/wash
10. Yerba Buena (Mentha cordifolia)
 3. strain the liquid extract and add 1
part honey to 4 parts extracts
4. boil in an earthen pot or
enamel-lined saucepan for 15
minutes until the desired viscosity is
attained; allow to cool
5. pour the syrup in clear
amber-colored bottles for storage

Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) Preparation and use of sambong leaves:

● boil in water sambong leaves like tea
and drink a glass 3 or 4 times a day
● the leaves can also be crushed or
pounded and mixed with coconut oil
● for headaches, apply crushed and
pounded leaves on forehead and
temples
● decoction of leaves is used as
sponge bath
● decoction of the roots, on the other
hand, is to be taken in as cure for
fever
Applications of Akapulko
● for external use, pound the leaves of
the Akapulko plant, squeeze the
juice and apply on affected areas
● as expectorant for bronchitis and
dyspnoea, drink decoction prepared
by soaking and boiling Akapulko
leaves for 10 to 15 minutes
● the same preparation may be used
Lecture 13 (Medicinal Plants Part 2)
as a mouthwash, stringent, and
How to make lagundi syrup: wash for eczema
● As laxative, cut the plant parts
1. clean fresh lagundi leaves and chop
(roots, flowers, and the leaves) into
2. in 4 glasses of water, boil 4
a manageable size then prepare a
tablespoons of minced lagundi
decoction. Use it at once. DIspose
leaves for 50 minutes
leftovers after one day
 ● pounded leaves of Akapulko has with a moisture absorbent material
purgative functions, specifically like charcoal. Leaves and other plant
against ringworms parts that are prepared properly,
well-dried and stored can be used
Preparation and use of Tsaang Gubat:
for up to six months.
● thoroughly wash the leaves of
Tips on Preparation for Intake of Herbal
tsaang gubat in running water
Medicines:
● chop to a desirable size then boil 1
cup of chopped leaves in 2 cups of ● Do not use stainless steel utensils
water when boiling decoctions. Only use
● boil in low heat for 15-20 mins and earthen, enameled, glass utensils
drain ● as a rule of thumb, when boiling
● take a cupful every 4hours for leaves and other plant parts, do not
diarrhea, gastroenteritis and cover the pot, and boil in low flame
stomach pains ● decoctions lose potency after some
● gargle for stronger teeth and time. Dispose of decoctions after
prevent cavities one day. To keep fresh during the
● drink as tea daily for general good day, keep lukewarm in a flask or
health thermos
● always consult with a doctor if
symptoms persist or if any sign of
Tips on Handling Medicinal Plants/Herbs: allergic reaction develops
● if possible, buy herbs that are grown Process of drug development
organically without pesticides
1. Drug discovery - process by which
● Medicinal parts of plants are best
new candidate medications are
harvested on sunny mornings. Avoid
discovered (collection, extraction,
picking leaves, fruits or nuts during
isolation, identification, assay)
and after heavy rainfall.
2. Preclinical trials - testing on animals
● leaves, fruits, flowers or nuts must
3. Clinical trial
be mature before harvesting. Less
medicinal substances are found on
young parts.
● After harvesting, if drying is
required, it is advisable to dry the
plant parts either in the oven or
air-dried on screens above ground
and never on concrete floors.
● store plant parts in sealed plastic
bags or brown bottles in a cool dry
place without sunlight preferably