Sugar Apple, Atis

Sugar Apple leaves (atis in tagalog) herbal medications.

Treatments for Fainting Spells:

• If the patient is breathing and his pulse is strong, crush atis leaves.
• Let him smell the aroma of the juice. Put it over the nose for him to smell. Let him smell until his dizziness or fainting spell is out.

Fainting Spells

Fainting is a feeling of light-headedness and dizziness.

First Aid:
1.  Lower the head between the knees, if the patient is sitting on a chair.
2.  Or, let him lie flat with the head lower than the feet. This is done to draw blood to the head.
3.  Check pulse and respiration to see if breathing and pulse is strong. If the breathing is rapid and the pulse is strong, get a paper or plastic bag big enough to cover the face. Hold the bag over the nose and mouth and let patient breath in and out slowly in the bag for a few minutes. If he does not recover after 15-20 minutes, bring the patient to the nearest hospital or clinic for medical attention.
4.  If the patient is not breathing and his pulse cannot be felt, prepare to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Have someone call a doctor or get ready to transport the patient to the nearest hospital. If someone is able to do CPR, give CPR while the patient is being transported to the hospital. Stop only when the patient’s pulse becomes palpable and he is already breathing.
5.  Check if the patient is diabetic or not. Ask the family.

Cocoa Plant, Kakaw

Cocoa Plant seeds poultice (kakaw in tagalog) herbal decoctions.

Treatments for Eczema:

• Roast 10 seeds and pound.
• Apply as poultice to affected area after hot foot bath or hot compress.

Indian Hydocotyle, Takip-kohol

Indian Hydocotyle poultice (takip-kohol in tagalog) herbal decoctions.

Treatments for Eczema:

• Chop 10 leaves.
• Apply as poultice to affected area after the hot compress or hot foot bath. Leave it on overnight.

Amaranth, Kulitis

Amaranth hot compress (kulitis in tagalog) herbal decoctions.

Treatments for Eczema:

• Boil 3 cups of chopped fresh leaves in 5 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Soak a small face towel in the decoction.
• Use as a compress directly on the eczema for 30 minutes.

Procedure (hot compress):
1.  Boil water or guava leaves if compress is for infected wound.
2.  Apply baby oil on the forehead and eyelids if compress is to be applied on the eyes.
3.  Wring compress from hot water or hot solution. Partially twist the compress cloth holding it on both ends. Dip the compress into the hot water or solution and twist it lightly, pulling the two ends apart, thus squeezing the water out.
4.  Apply compress directly on the area to be treated without pressure.
5.  Compress must be changed frequently at least every 3 minutes. In case of infected wound, discard the used compress cloth or gauze. Use it only once. Do not dip the used compress the second time.
6.  Continue compress for 15-20 minutes, renewing it every 3 minutes. Keep the water or solution hot at all times during the treatment.
7.  At the end of treatment, remove hot compress and dry treated area.
8.  Apply medication or ointment as ordered by physician in cases of infected wound, boils and ulcers.
9.  Apply sterile dressing and keep dry.

Tabernaemontana Pandacaqui Poir, Pandakaki-puti

Tabernaemontana Pandacaqui Poir hot foot bath (pandakaki-puti in tagalog) herbal decoctions.

Treatments for Eczema:

• Boil 3 cups of chopped leaves in one gallon of water for 10 minutes. Add 2 gallons of hot water.
• Use this decoction for hot foot bath.

Procedure (hot foot bath):
1.  Close windows and doors. If done in the bathroom, The patient should be seated on a chair. If the patient is too weak to sit, patient may lie down and be treated in bed.
2.  Remove clothing of patient, and drape with blanket.
3.  Assist patient’s feet into the pail or basin of water. Water is ankle deep to start with. Temperature should be a hot as can be tolerated.
4.  Apply cold compress to the forehead or on the nape if compress is small.
5.  Add hot water, in adding hot water to the foot tub, push the patient’s feet to one side and place your hand between the feet and the stream of water, increase the water temperature to patient’s heat tolerance.
6.  Continue adding hot water for 20-30 minutes, renewing cold compress every 2-3 minutes. Don’t let the water cool off.
7.  At the end of the treatment lift feet from the water and pour cold water over them.
8.  Give hot and cold shower if patient is strong. Give warm sponge bath if done in bed.
9.  Dry patient and keep him comfortable. Let patient rest till he stops perspiring.

Eczema

          Eczema is an acute or chronic, noncontagious, itchy, inflammatory disease of the skin. It is characterized by irregular and varying combinations of edematous popular scaling and thickened lesions.