Food Crisis Series 19
Garden Herbals for Medicine, Culinary and Pest Control
Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature - School on Blog
avrotor.blogspot.com
Part 1- Oregano (Coleus amboinicus)
Oregano is a centuries-old remedy for many ailments, from bad digestion to diabetes. It is an excellent food adjunct. To Italians, it is the secret of their cooking and making pizza, just as the Mexican make chili con carne. Our own dinuguan tastes best with this aromatic herb.
I tell them to pick a young leaf or two of oregano and chew it while taking juice or soft drinks. Or blanch it, extract the juice, and add sugar and warm water. It is practical and there are no side effects. And what a feeling! No wonder the plant's name which comes from the Greek words, Ore/Oros means mountain, and ganos is joy. Joy on the mountain.
Pliny the Elder claimed oregano as a remedy for bad digestion. To Italians, it is the secret of their cooking and making pizza, just as the Mexican make chili con carne. Our own dinuguan tastes best with this aromatic herb.
On the other hand, I found out that oregano is an insect repellant. I noticed that mosquitoes, flies and roaches are kept away by its odor. Oregano has essential oil, thymol, which is also a strong antiseptic and disinfectant.
Warning: Oregano extract is not advisable for plant pest control, specially on garden plants, either as spray or sprinkle solution. It has allelophatic substance, which means it is phytotoxic to certain plants, causing stunting or death. Never plant oregano side by side with your favorite garden plants like rose, mayana, anthurium and ground orchid.
Plant oregano in pots by cutting, or the whole shoot or branch. It can grow in the shade or under direct sunlight, with moderate amount of water. During rainy months keep the potted plants away from too much rain water. Oregano grows best in summer, but don't forget to water it regularly. A full grown oregano can be made into cuttings which you can grow in individual plastic pots to supply the neighborhood - as token or gift. It takes a cutting to reach full growth in two to three weeks.
~
Facts about Oregano
Acknowledgement: Philippine Medicinal Plants (Internet)
This information is helpful to medicine, pharmacology, botanical research, and to the public in general. It is the intention of this program, Paaralan Bayan sa Himpapawid to encourage the use of natural medicine and food, and to potential scientists to direct their attention to our own indigenous resources as the subject of their study.
Constituents
- Fresh leaves yield 0.055 volatile oil, largely carvacrol.
- Phytochemical screening yielded carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, tannins, flavanoids, saponins, glycosides.
- Aerial parts yielded essential oil with 28 constituents, 16 of which were identified. Thymol (83.39%) was the major compound, while 1-octen-3-ol, terpine-4-ol, eugenol, trans-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and α-cadinol were present as minor constituents. (16)
- Study of flowers and aerial parts for essential oils yielded four compounds from flowers oil and twelve from the aerial parts. The major constituent was carvacrol in flowers and aerial parts, 50.98% and 77.16% respectively. Other constituents were p-cymene, ß-caryophyllene, and trans-a-bergamotene.
Properties
- Aromatic, carminative (relieving flatulence), emmenagogue (encourages menstrual bleeding) , diaphoretic (increase sweating), tonic, stimulant.
- In India, considered antilithiotic, chemopreventive, antiepileptic, antioxidant.
Culinary
· As condiment, provides fragrance to salads and strong-smelling meat dishes.
· Sometimes, used as flavoring for drinks.
· In India, leaves of the green type often eaten raw with bread and butter. Chopped leaves used as a substitute for sage.
Folkloric
· In the Philippines, macerated fresh leaves applied externally to burns.
· Leaves are bruised and applied to centipede and scorpion bites. Also, applied to temples and forehead for headache, help in place by a bandage.
· Leaves in infusion or as syrup used as aromatic and carminative; used for dyspepsia and also as a cure for asthma.
· The Malays used the plant juice or decoction for pains around the areas of the heart or abdomen.
· Decoction of leaves given after childbirth.
· In Indo-China, given for asthma and bronchitis.
· The juice of the leaves for dyspepsia, asthma, chronic coughs, bronchitis, colic, flatulence, rheumatism. The dose is one tablespoonful of the fresh juice every hour for adults and one teaspoonful every two hours, four times daily, for children. As an infusion, 50 to 60 grams to a pint of boiling water, and drink the tea, 4 to 5 glasses a day. For children, 1/2 cup 4 times daily.
· For otalgia (ear aches), pour the fresh, pure juice into the ear for 10 minutes.
· For carbuncles, boils, sprains, felons, painful swellings: Apply the poultice of leaves to the affected area, four times daily.
· For sore throats, a decoction of two tablespoonfuls of dried leaves to a pint of boiling water, taken one hour before or after meals.
· In India, leaves are used traditionally for bronchitis, asthma, diarrhea, epilepsy, nephro-cystolithiasis, fever, indigestion and cough. Also used for malarial fever, hepatopathy, renal and vesicle calculi, hiccup, helminthiasis, colic, and convulsions.
· The Chinese used the juice of leaves with sugar, for cough in children, asthma and bronchitis, epilepsy and convulsive disorders.
· Leaves are applied to cracks at the corners of the mouth, for thrush, headaches; against fever as a massage or as a wash.
· Used for bladder and urinary afflictions, and vaginal discharges.
· Used as carminative, given to children for colic.
· In Bengal, used for coli and dyspepsia.
· Expressed juice applied around the orbit to relieve conjunctival pain.
Others
Fresh leaves rubbed on clothing or hair at the time of bathing for its scent.
Respiratory ailments like cough, asthma and bronchitis: Squeeze juice of the leaves. Take one teaspoon every hour for adults. For children above 2 years old, 3 to 4 teaspoons a day inflated throat, and short lips.
NOTE: Many homes have other useful plants on their backyards, such as
- Soro-soro, a species of Euphorbia used to control ringworm;
- Lagundi (Vitex lagundi) is good for fever and flu (PHOTO);
- Alovera (Aloe vera) for burns;
- Pandakaki (Tabernamontana pandacaqui) for minor cuts;
- Bayabas (Psidium guajava) for skin infection and allergy;
- Ilang-ilang (Cananga odorata) for natural freshener;
- Sampaguita (Jasminium sambac) for lei and natural air freshener. ~
Part 2 - Herbal Plants: "Pansit-pansitan", weeping willow,
and "takip kuhol"
"Pansit-pansitan" (Piperomia pellucida) relieves arthritis, and lowers uric acid. But as a general rule consult your family doctor.• Gather the fresh plants from around the house, usually among potted plants. Leave the main stem and roots to grow new shoots for the next harvest.
• Wash the stems and leaves with running water. You may remove the elongated floral part which bears plenty of tiny black seeds.
• Boil two cups of water for three minutes. Three to four stems make a decoction. Allow it to cool.
• You may add honey or sugar while decoction is still hot.
• Add hot water for a second or third serving. It may be taken liberally at anytime or until ailment subsides.
• There are other ways pansit-pansitan is prepared. In Vietnam’s Ho ChiMinh public market it is sold in bundles as salad vegetable. It reaches a length up to two feet.
It is usually served fresh or blanched. I found out that pansit-pansitan can be taken with coffee by simply adding to it while it is very hot. Or simply dip into a cup of to piping hot water, and allow it to cool. Pandan mabango (Pandanus odoratissimus) may be added to flavor the drink. Patients may find relief in a day or two. If there is any allergic reaction such as diarrhea or palpitation, discontinue the treatment and see your doctor.
Part 3 - Kutsay (Allium tuberosum):
A Spice and Vegetable
Kutsay is a spice-vegetable known as nira in Japanese, gachoy in Cantonese,
buchu in Korean, garlic chives, Chinese chives.
A country lass, Isang displays a rare phenomenon of tillers (young plants)* arising from the inflorescence of Allium tuberosum. Seeds normally reach maturity on the stalk (lower photo), before they are dehisced or disseminated by wind, animals and other means.
Potted kutsay serves as ornamental and food condiment. The plant is also repellant against flies, moths, mosquitoes and common garden pest, including African Giant Snail. Kutsay grows perennially owning to its tubers that can survive extreme drought, and spring back to robust vegetation come rainy season. The small bulbs or tubers are group in clusters. In summer kutsay produces umbel inflorescence characteristic of members in the lily family (Alliaceae) to which onion and garlic belong - so with many ornamental lilies.
We have never been without kutsay growing in our garden since I was a child. Dad would gather some leaves and add to fried or scrambled eggs. “It’s good to health," he would tell us. Miki (Ilocos noodle soup) is not complete without this spice-vegetable that has the combined flavor of garlic, chive and onion in a moderate degree. The seed contain edible oil which carries the characteristic flavor.
Kutsay has antibacterial, anti-emetic, and stimulant properties. It improves circulation and digestion, and kidney function. It is used to treat urinary incontinence, kidney and bladder weaknesses. Traditional medicine recommends kutsay in the treatment of spermatorrhoea. (Spermatorrhoea is involuntary loss of semen, which generally takes place during sleep or under various conditions, like during urination. It is often associated with irritability and debility of the generative organs.).
I remember my Auntie Yaya applying mashed leaves of kutsay on sprain, cuts and bruises. Our herbolario applied kutsay poultice on dog bite. Today we understand that this remedy is just a palliative measure to prevent infection and ease pain, and that medical attention is needed.
As a vegetable kutsay leaves are mixed with salad. They contain about 2.6% protein, 0.6% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate, 0.95% ash. They also contain small amounts of vitamins A, B1 and C. Flowers and flower buds make a delicious flavoring - raw or cooked - of many recipes of fish and meat.
Next time you prepare scrambled egg, miki and batchoy, add liberally chopped fresh kutchay leaves. You'll know why a home garden or a kitchen is not complete without this humble aromatic herb. ~
Part 3 - Turmeric (Luyang dilaw) Curcuma longa -
Medicine-and-Spice
Luyang dilaw has outstanding medicinal properties that are a potential cure to many ailments and diseases associated with our postmodern living.
You may miss the plant on the farm, roadside, pasture, or the garden. It is because it is unassuming in its vegetative stage - appearing like lily, baston de San Jose, lobster's claw, camia or any of its relatives under Family Zingiberaceae or ginger family.
Miss Jules SM Rojas poses in a garden of luyang dilaw (Curcuma longa) at home in Lagro QC.
But no one would miss in its flowing stage, this plant universally known as tumeric, Its flowers are typical of ginger species led by the popular Zingiber officinale or luya, no kitchen is without it.
Luyang dilaw is a leafy plant, 1 to 1.5 meters tall, with 5 to 6 leaves. Rhizomes are bright yellow inside, thick and cylindrical. Leaf blade is green, oblong, 30 to 45 centimeters long and 10 to 20 centimeters wide. Petiole is as long as the blade. Peduncle is 15 centimeters or more in length, borne within the tuft of leaves. Spikes are 10 to 20 centimeters in length and about 5 centimeters in diameter. Floral bracts are pale green, ovate, 3 to 4 centimeters long, the comabracts tinged with pink. Flowers are pale yellow to pink, as long as the bracts. Fruits are capsules.
Luyang dilaw is pantropic, native of India, Its rhizomes are contain flavonoid curcumin (diferuloylmethane) and various volatile oils, including tumerone, atlantone, and zingiberone. It contain volatile oil (3-5%), tumerol (alcohol), d-alpha phellandrene, carvone, camphor, curcumone; fat, 3%; starch (30%); resin; curcumin (yellow orange pigment). It is a good source of phosphorus and iron.
As one who grew up on the farm, luyang dilaw is a familiar wild plant which old folk would gather for spice like the local luya. My Auntie Yaya, Basang would dig up a hill even if the rhizomes are still young and small, and would crush them as poultice for minor wounds and insect bites. A decoction would expel bad air, and loosen breathing if you have colds or flu. Little did I know about this annual plant. It aestivates in summer, awaking at the first rain in May, profusely growing to overcome weeds around. It would bloom shortly, then dries up leaving its rhizomes beneath the ground - if not harvested - only to germinate again the next monsoon season.
Here is a summary of some distinct characteristics of luyang dilaw, largely from researches I conducted in the university and from the Internet. Thanks to Philippine Medicinal Plants, and Alternative Medicine. Special thanks to the late Dr Eduardo Quisumbing, author of Medicinal Plants of the Philippines, who was then my professor in botany in the early sixties.
Roots and young rhizomes of Curcuma longa
This list serves only as a guide and does not endorse self-medication. Medical advice is recommended before using the product or any of its preparations.
1. The rhizome is pungent and bitter tasting, warming, carminative. In Chinese medicine it is , believed to Improve Ch'i circulation.
2. Studies have demonstrated various therapeutics effects: antioxidant, antiinflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and anticarcinogenic activity.
3. As a folkloric medicine luyang dilaw is used as antiseptic, anti-contusion, antibacterial, antifungal. This is greatly appreciated with its aromatic, stimulant, tonic, cordial, emmenagogue and astringent properties. It is also used as carminative and for dispelling flatulence. In China used for colic, amenorrhea, congestions.
4. Turmeric paste mixed with a little lime and saltpeter is applied hot to sprains and bruises.
For smallpox and chicken pox, coating of turmeric powder or thin paste applied externally to facilitate scabbing. Paste made from flowers used for ringworm and other parasitic skin infections. Ointment is used in neuralgia and rheumatism.
5. In the Philippines rhizome with coconut oil is used as stomachic and vulnerary (promotes healing of wounds). Internally, juice of fresh rhizome used as anthelmintic. Rhizome is also used for intermittent fevers, flatulence, dyspepsia. (Dyspepsia is a group of symptoms which often include bloating, nausea and burping. Belching, nausea and a bloated feeling are common symptoms of dyspepsia).
4. As condiment, it is an ingredient of curry powder, and for food coloring In dried or powdered form, used like ginger.
5. Used for menstrual irregularities, contusions and associated with painful swelling.
Crush rhizome and apply to wounds, insect bites, leech-bites,.ringworm, bleeding.
6. Fumes of burning turmeric used as inhalation in catarrh and severe head colds.
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7. Turmeric is one of the best known of material dyes, used for dyeing silk, wool and cotton. Rhizomes used for dyeing mats in the Philippines.
8. Ointment: Wash the unpeeled ginger. Chop the rhizomes to fill half a glass of water. Sauté with one glass of coconut oil on low heat for five minutes. Place in a clean bottle and label.
- Antiseptic for wounds: Extract juice of the fresh rhizome and apply directly on the wound or swelling.
Gas pain in adults: Decoction from thumb-sized rhizome in a glass of water reduced to half.
- Turmeric for cough: Link provides preparation of turmeric as home remedy for coughs
9. Here is a list of studies on luyang dilaw
- Tobacco Chewer and Chronic Smoker De-Addiction :
- Anti-parasitic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory
- Anticancer
- Antifungal activities against Trichophyton longifusus.
- Antibacterial
- Antioxidants and showed significant reduction in blood glucose.
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Peptic Ulcer Healing
- Antifertility Effect
- Radioprotective
- Antithrombotic
- Antiplatelet Effects
- Effect on Arsenic Toxicity
- Renoprotective:
- Healing Effect on Smoking-Induced Liver Damage :
Continuing researches in these fields or topics challenge the young to pursue medicine, pharmacology, or any related career, including the promotion of alternative medicine and natural healing. ~
Weeping willow is a natural pest repellent. It drives mosquitoes and flies around. You save on expensive and dangerous pesticides by having a tree in the yard. Its leaves exude fresh and pleasant smell in the surroundings. The leaves when crushed is best for aromatherapy. It exudes fresh menthol. Burn some dried leaves to drive out vermin like mosquitoes and cockroaches. Try some crushed leaves as deodorant in the bathroom and bedroom.
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