The Healing Powers of SAMBONG

SAMBONG with scientific name Blumea balsamifera, blumea camphor in english and Gabon in Mindanao is one of a few herbs recently registered with the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) as medicine. Today sambong is available in capsule or tea that are available in the leading drugstore nationwide. That's why, some of the doctors today recommend their patients to use the sambong tablets for their fatty liver problems and kidney stones. Sambong will treat kidney problems and not only that Sambong is also good for: 

1. Gaseous distention. How to use? Boil sambong leaves (1 tbsp if dried, 2 tbsps if fresh) in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Strain and drink while lukewarm. For children ages 7-12 years old, use half of the adult dose.
2. Abscess (Boil). Pound fresh sambong leaves then apply as poultice over boil once a day.
3. Fever. Boil 2 to 4 handfuls of sambong leaves for 5 minutes. When lukewarm, use it to sponge the feverish patient.
4. Headache. Heat fresh sambong leaves over low fire. Crush and apply on forehead and temples. Wrap with cloth bandage to keep them in place.
5. Sinusitis. Roll chopped ried leaves in clean paper like that of a cigarette and puff on it.
6. for colds, sore throat, and as an expectorant. rink tea leaves 3 or more times a day.
7. in treating rheumatism. Crush or pound leaves and mix with coconut oil. Apply mixture directly to aching joints.

Not only that, there are several study show the potential healing powers of sambong as:

1. Anti-cancer- initial findings show that the blumeatin extracted from sambong leaves may protect our liver from damage as it tends to inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells without cytotoxicity, whether the cells are from mice or people.
2. Antifungal. Phytochemical study of sambong leaves yielded icthyothereol acetate, cyptomeridiol, lutein and B-carotene. Antimicrobial tests showed activity against A niger, T mentagrophytes and C albicans.
3. Urolithiasis. A study shows sambong to be a promising chemolytic agent, a method of dissolving calculi or kidney stones.

Reference: H&H September-October 2011 issue