Herbal tea or juice can be taken 3 times a day maximum. They are to be sipped little by little to allow absorption. (Healthy Healing by Linda Page). When boiling tea, be sure to use stainless pot (not aluminum) or claypot (palayok). If tea is done by infusion or steeping in boiled water, use glass, ceramic or earthenware.

Aloe Vera 





I make alkaline syrup and juice. I take 1 tbsp. of Aloe Vera alkaline syrup once a day or mix it with juice or tea. This balances hyperacidity, promotes good health which manifests through shiny hair, and smooth, younger looking skin.

Procedure for Alkaline syrup:

a. Cut an Aloe Vera leaf into two, scrape the gel and cut into small pieces.
b. Make a concoction of gel and honey. 1:1
c. Keep in good covered container. Refrigerate.




Balbas Pusa or Cat Whiskers



The pistil of the flowers are like whiskers. It is also called as local Taheebo. I had a miraculous experience with this herbal. When I was single, I suffered back pains and found out that I had kidney damage. The doctor gave me antibiotics but I developed allergies. My mouth had rashes. I had to stop. My office mate, instead, gave me Balbas Pusa. And of course, with prayers as well, the doctor was surprised to find that my laboratory test was back to normal!

Procedure: Seven (7) leaves or more steeped in boiled water or boiled for 15 minutes.


Damong Maria




This is a Filipino term that means ‘Grass of Mary’. It is known internationally as ‘Wormwood’. I drink this for my stomach ache, flatulence. It is also good for diabetes.

Procedure: Steep a handful of leaves in hot water for 15 minutes and sip.




Java Mint




This can be mixed with hot tea or hot chocolate to add a mint flavor. This can also be placed in other beverages. This used as remedy for colic, digestion and food absorption. This is also a diuretic.

Procedure: Steep 1 tablespoon of dried or fresh leaves in a cup of boiled water for 15 minutes. For boiled tea, boil the same for 15 minutes.


Kuchai Leek




This is a diuretic which increase urination.

Procedure: Steep or boil the leaves into 1 cup of tea.




Lagundi




This herbal is a tree. A handful of boiled leaves can warm someone with colds. It cleanses the respiratory system, thus, heal from colds, cough, asthma, fever and flu. The tea is also a body cleanser.

Procedures:

Tea – Boil 4 cups of water then put a handful of Lagundi . Keep boiling for 15 minutes. Divide into 3 cups. Drink 1 cup times a day.

Herbal Bath – Add more water and boil more leaves. Drink a cup before bathing and, then, bathe with warm water. Then rinse with the rest of the Lagundi tea. The last rinse is cold water to close the pores. The process cleanses and absorbs coldness of the body and and immediately remove headaches.



Neem Tree




This is India’s town pharmacy. The tea is bitter and drank by diabetics. It is also used for colds asthma and flu.




Pandan




This herb is placed in rice for fragrance. But it has properties that strengthens blood vessels and heal headache and earache.

Procedure: Boil 4 cups of water, add Pandan leaves, boil for 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup or glass (add water with sugar) 3 times a day.

Optional: Tastes good when added with Tanglad for Pandan-Tanglad Juice.


Oregano





The Philippine Oregano has big green or green and white leaves and has more juice while the Italian Oregano has very small leaves. Both are good for colds, cough, headache, asthma and have antibiotic properties.

Procedure: Steep handful in a cup of hot water. Cover for 15 minutes.




Peppermint



In the Philippines, it is also known as Herba Buena or ‘good herb’. This is one of my favorite breakfast teas. It has a good aroma with mint. This herb, just like the other herbs, is called body balancer. This is effective for cough, colds, headache, arthritis and body pains.

Procedure:

Tea – Steep two (2) tbsp. of fresh or dried leaves in 1 cup of hot water. Cover for 15 minutes.
Cold Beverages – Chop and place in cold drinks.
Mouthwash – Chop 2 Tbsp. of fresh leaves in 1 glass of water



Serpentina




A very bitter herb. This is helpful for diabetics. I tried it for my throbbing stomachache caused by loose bowel movement, the next day I was good as new! The stem grows in a zigzag form as it matures. This must be the reason for its name.

Procedure: Steep 5 to 6 crushed leaves in 1 cup of boiled water. Cover for 15 minutes.



Stevia 




This is a sugar plant used to sweeten hot tea or chocolate. Those who try a leaf can’t believe it!


Tanglad 




This is also known as Lemon Grass. It is good for high blood, loose bowel movement and cancer. This makes a wonderful refreshment especially when added with Pandan leaves and sugar.

Procedure: Boil water 4 cups of water. Add the lemon grass and keep boiling for 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup or glass (add water with sugar) 3 times a day.



Tarragon





The ancients used to call this the Dragon Herb. This is helpful to calm nerves, fatigue, insomnia, hyperactivity, stomach cramps, high blood and heart. This aromatic herb can even be placed directly in water or beverages.

Procedure: 

Tea – Steep 1 tsp. tarragon in 1 boiled cup of water. Cover for 15 minutes.

Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition

Internet:

http://www.tajagroproducts.com/Tea%20(Indian%20tea).html
http://www.infonet-biovision.org/res/res/files/494.hdra%20NeemTree.pdf
http://www.sallybernstein.com/food/columns/gilbert/tarragon.htm

Herbs that minimize fish odor are:

Kuchai Leek 



This herb can be placed inside the gills for steaming. It’s good for marinade, sauce or topping.





Oregano



This can be used as marinade.



Tarragon



This can also be used as marinade.


Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition

Internet:

http://www.sallybernstein.com/food/columns/gilbert/tarragon.htm

Kitchen herbs make ordinary food taste special. Actually, when I run out of vegetables or meat, I run to my herbs as food extenders or to garnish my emergency canned goods.

Ashitaba/Tomorrow Leaf 



This is also a vegetable and can be mixed with soup.



Kuchai Leek



This is good topping for any kind of soup.

Lettuce 





Mix this vegetable with soup.


American Spinach




This is a versatile veggie and can be mixed with any kind of soup. This has high Iron content plus Vitamins A & C.


Peppermint and Tarragon



These herbs are good toppings depending on one’s taste.



Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition

Internet:

http://www.sallybernstein.com/food/columns/gilbert/tarragon.htm

Herbs enhance meat preparation. And because I have my own garden, I am able to put more kitchen herbs to flavor and prepare a healthier dish.

Basil



This herb when mixed with hamburgers brings out the good taste of beef.



Kuchai Leek 



This herb can be mixed with hamburger, shanghai, chicken fingers, beef siomai.


Oregano 



I make my homemade beef longganiza. I use flour instead of casings with garlic, salt and Oregano.


Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition

Kitchen herbs help bring out the best flavor out of meat, sauces and salads.

Basil




This is used for pesto, spaghetti and macaroni sauce, and pizza. This can also be used a vegetable inside the sandwich.


Italian Oregano




This is used for spaghetti and macaroni sauce, pizza and topping for bread with cheese.


Kuchai Leek 



Its taste and aroma can be mixed with any kind of sauce or dressing.



Java Mint/Spear Mint 



This serves as a good topping for salads.


Peppermint 



This can be mixed with tomato sauce or as topping for salads for its aroma.

Tarragon 



This is good as topping for salad. I regularly make vinaigrette with or a mixture of olive oil, a little vinegar, chili and sugar with tarragon to mix with fresh vegetables from the garden like Spinach.

Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition

Internet:

http://www.sallybernstein.com/food/columns/gilbert/tarragon.htm

Here are my self sufficient tips on how you can enjoy as I am enjoying the nature’s gifts. With these, you will be able to value more their presence in your garden.

Aloe Vera



This is used for wounds, burns, blackhead, pimples, wrinkles and sunburn. When I get burns while cooking in the kitchen, this is my immediate remedy. I just squeeze the juice.




Basil 



This is a remedy for toothache as well as for athlete’s foot, insect bites, tooth aches (affected area) and allergies. Just crush the leaves and apply on affected skin.



Katakataka 



This is a local plant name. According to immigrants from USA, there is a similar plant there. It is called Life Plant because the tillers grow around the leaf.

I always have a leaf in the kitchen because it removes the itchiness from mosquito bites and other insect bites and rashes, too. After cleaning it with soap and water, I crush and apply on affected area. It sticks to the skin. This is also good for pains, sprains and mumps.

This is a good decorative indoor or outdoor. But if indoor, it has to be brought out for sunning.

Kuchai Leek 





This is a good antiseptic for wounds by applying on wound.

Lantana



Normally, this is known as a decorative plant but it has healing properties for sprain and rheumatism. Just clean, ground, put oil, heat, and apply on affected area. Option: Use hot water bottle on top of the crushed leaves with oil and apply on affected area.



Mayana




This is a decorative plant with no flowers. This herb has many variations in color and size but one thing that they have in common is their texture. When my daughter was young, I would apply a leaf with oil on her bruises after sparring at her Tae Kwon Do class.

This is also good for sprain, headache and flatulence. Just clean and crush the leaves, apply, heat, and apply on affected area. Or instead of heating, put hot water bottle on top of leaves with oil and apply on affected area.


Neem Tree



This is effective for skin diseases like Psoriasis, pimples, acne and wounds. Neem leaves are boiled.


Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition

Internet:

http://www.infonet-biovision.org/res/res/files/494.hdra%20NeemTree.pdf