I remember as a kid when we have cough and fever, my mother will pick up some lagundi leaves, oregano and ginger. She will pound it together and extract the juice of the combined herbs and make us drink the juice. She will add little amount of sugar so that it may taste good.

Lagundi or Vitex Negudo was known in English as the 5 leaves chaste tree. It is one of the 10 Herbs that the Philippine Department of Health approved to be known as Herbal Medicine. Though there are lot herbs can be found in the Philippines that shows potency as medicine but only 10 were approved to be classified as medicine and one of it is Lagundi.

Lagundi has been tested clinically to be effective in treatments of cold, flu, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. With the rise of Coronavirus Disease we have seen Caloocan City is distributing Paracetamol and Lagundi as part of their help to the citizen in battling Covid 19. Though there is no record that it has been used to treat the disease but it plays role in the prevention of the spread of the virus. As a herbal medicine that been recognized to treat respiratory problem, this might be a promising herb that also has a potential relief or even cure to the Coronavirus Disease.

Though at this moment, the role of Hilot in the Philippines works on preventive and promotive health care, taking lagundi as tea will protect an individual from having the symptoms of the disease as long as the guidelines on social distancing, hand washing and physical fitness is observed. Healthcare professionals can also consider administering this herbs to treat the symptoms as it is used to treat colds, fever, flu, chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis, rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea and certain skin and digestive complaints.

Below are the list of traditional use of Lagundi:

• Expectorant/Cough Remedy
• Sore throat relief
• Anti-asthma/Bronchodilator
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Diuretic
• Antinociceptive/Analgesic
• Anti-allergy
• Antihyperglycemic
• Antimicrobial
• Anthelmintic /Antiparasitic
• Promotes wound healing
• Hepatoprotective
• Improves digestion
• Carminative
• Relieves anxiety
• Promotes relaxation
• Insecticidal
• Reduces risk of cancer

As Traditional Medicine Practitioner, we recommend you to see your healthcare professional or Certified Manghihilot before taking any herbal remedy. It is good to identify the symptoms first in order to have a proper treatment that will result to a successful cure of any ailments. Self Medication is discouraged and right procedure of herbal administration is required.

For more information on Philippine Traditional Hilot and Healthcare, you may contact me at +639952467040 or connect with me at Facebook at Rolando Gomez Comon.