Visayas: Alibhon, Alibum, Alimhon, Alimon, Ayoban, Bukadkad, Dalapot, Gabuuen, Gintin-gintin, Gitin-gitin, Hamlibon, Hanalibon, Kalibura, Kambihon, Lakadbulan, Lakdanbulang, Lalakdan, Takamain
Mindanao: Gaboh, Labulan, Libon, Pahid, Sambun
Sambong is a woody herb that grows to as much as 11/2 to 3 meters tall. It is an erect plant with half-woody stems, and its leaves are hairy with coarse underside. It grows almost everywhere in the Philippines except in elevated places. Sambong is indicated or used primarily as a diuretic. As a diuretic, sambong is advised for persons with edema (manas), high blood pressure and kidney trouble. It has other medicinal uses too, more properly called its secondary indications. These are pain reliever for headache and gaseous distention. A person with edema, whether the edema is caused by heart or kidney trouble, is given a diuretic so he can discharge (urinate) the excess salts and water that have accumulated in his . A person has high blood pressure when his blood pressure (BP) reading is more than 140/90 mm. Hg. Also, he has high blood pressure when his blood pressure (BP) reading increases by at least 10 mm. Hg. over the previous reading, and the increase is accompanied by dizziness, headache, nape pain, easy fatigue, or chest pain.
How to prepare sambong: To prepare a days dosage of sambong as a diuretic, boil 4 tablespoons of crushed dried leaves in 2 glasses of water for at least 15 minutes. When done, strain and divide the boiled mixture into three parts. Drink one part three times a day. Fresh sambong leaves may also be used, but you will need 6 tablespoons of chopped leaves instead of just 4. The procedure for preparing fresh leaves mixture is the same as that for dried leaves.
Boiling the mixture: There are important rules to follow when boiling the leaves in water. Observe strictly the following:
a. Use only enamelled container or claypot ("palayok"0, never an aluminum pot. A standard glass or cup should contain 240 ml. or 8 fluid ounces of water. This measurement is the same as the content of a bottle of regular size Pepsi or Coke.
b. Mix leaves in water before placing on fire.
c. As soon as the mixture boils, uncover the pot and let boil continuously for 15 minutes. Remember that the mixture should not boil uncovered.
d. Strain and let cool. You now have what is called a "decoction."For convenience, enough decoction to be used for several days may be prepared by simply adjusting the amount of leaves to use according to the amount of water to be boiled. When kept in thermo pot ("termos") the decoction will last for three days without losing its efficacy. When kept in refrigerator, the decoction will last up to four days without losing its efficacy.
Source: Phil. Council for Health Research and Development (DOST)
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