These days, people seek out treatment that is often expensive and hard-to-reach. While medical development has improved significantly for the past centuries, there are also simple remedies that can be obtained easily from medicinal plants.

The Philippines is home to a plant that is considered a weed in some countries, and grows in hot climates such as ours. Sought out for its medical healing capabilities, Sambong or blumea balsamifera, is used for various illnesses and is a cheap alternative to over-the counter medicine. Using Sambong leaves, they offer various health benefits such as:

1. A diuretic alternative

Anything that is considered diuretic means that it is able to remove excess amounts of fluid, usually water and sodium, by way of urination. High blood pressure is usually associated with high amounts of sodium intake.

Luckily, Sambong leaves are a natural way of getting a diuretic medicine, that helps remove excess water retention.

2. Alleviating urinary problems

As mentioned before, the diuretic effect of Sambong helps in urination. Furthermore, people with kidney stones can benefit from taking a concoction of Sambong since it is able to release more urine. Other troubles like urinary tract infections are greatly treated with Sambong leaves for its diuretic properties.

3. Antioxidant properties

The leaves of a Sambong shrub has a lot of antioxidants, at least nine different flavonoids. Antioxidants help protect DNA of humans from gradual buildup of free radicals in our bodies. They are able to boos our immune system by preventing the development of diseases of the heart and cancer.

4. Barrier for the development of bacteria and fungi

Sambong has a lot going inside it, as it contains beta-carotene, lutein, cyptomeridiol, and other medicinal vitamins that can prevent staphylococcus, bacillus subtilis, and other harmful microbes from getting into our bodies.

5. Cure for common illnesses

Aside from the hard-hitting diseases, Sambong leaves act as a relief medicine for problems such as stuffy nose. As an expectorant, they are able to remove a good amount of phlegm and mucus in your body.

For people who do sports or get burnt out from work, it is normal to be affected by physical conditions. This can also include dental surgery, which can hurt a lot for most people. Sambong is able to relieve pain as it has analgesic effects on parts of the body. They are a perfect substitute for those who need a little pick-me-up when the conditions of their body worsen.

6. Helping with stomach problems

A common problem that people, especially women, have is cramps. Another property of Sambong is that is an antispasmodic agent. They have the important oils to make cramps go away or at least lessen the pain.

For people with irritable bowel syndrome, they associate it with diarrhea, which can be lessened by taking Sambong leaves as a drink. The Sambong tea is good at soothing stomach problems such as stomach pain and ache in the gastrointestinal tract.

There are two ways of taking Sambong for treatment:

Crushed – The Sambong leaves are crusted into a thick and moist paste which is directly applied in the affected body part. For: people with arthritis, dry coughs, and the common cold.

Coating – While the Sambong leaves are soaking in cold water, it is squeezed to dry and sandwiched between two sheets of clean cloths. The resulting cloth can then be placed in the persons’ armpit, or forehead to reduce their temperature to normal body temperature.

References:

https://www.livealittlelonger.com/health-benefits-of-sambong-tea/

https://news.abs-cbn.com/current-affairs-programs/01/12/14/salamat-dok-therapeutic-benefits-sambong-plant