Kalabo or Philippine Oregano is an herb from the mint, or Lamiaceae family. Most Filipinos use it to enhance flavor of their coconut-based dishes or as a natural health remedy. (image source: Flickr)
While most of us aspire to have a healthy diet with a resolution to be a clean eater this 2022, loading up with more fruits and vegetables on our plate is a good start. To make our meals palatable, we enhance our everyday dish through condiments, spices, or herbs.
Distinguishing herbs from spices
According to Reynaldo Gil “Datu Makadingding” Lomarda of GreenMinds Incorporated, herbs were already mentioned in the Bible through the Book of Genesis 2-29: “And God said, behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, which is the fruit of the tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
Generally, fresh herbs are delicately flavored and they are the green, leafy part of the plant. While spices can be sourced from the bark, root, or other parts of tropical plants and trees, and are typically used dried or ground.
“All of the plants that we grow, some we even pass by in our garden without our knowledge, have some value. Herbs, when taken properly, have nutritive value and health benefits. I consider them as our natural defense against mild diseases and sickness.” Datu Makadingding said further.
Health benefits of culinary herbs
Using herbs in our everyday meal is a great way to add flavor, color, and aroma without adding extra fat, sugar, or salt. They also provide powerful antioxidants, and have a range of other health benefits.
Aside from enhancing our meals, the more herbs we try, the wider the variety of potential health benefits we are likely to receive. Fresh herbs often contain higher antioxidant levels compared to processed or dried herbs.
Herbs as natural remedies
Traditional herbal medicine, which has been around for centuries, is well accepted among Filipino homes in the rural areas. Validating the use of these traditional medicinal plants through research is essential in order to have an evidence-based practice of herbal medicine.
There are ten (10) Philippine medicinal plant species approved for therapeutic use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Department of Health (DOH): (1.) Lagundi (Vitexnegundo) for cough and asthma (2.) Sambong (Blumeabalsamifera L.) as anti-urolithiasis (kidney stones) (3.) Ampalaya (Momordicacharantia L.) for lowering of blood sugar and anti-diabetes (4.) Garlic (Allium sativum) as anti-cholesterol (5.) Guava (Psidiumguajava) as oral/skin antiseptic (6.) Tsaang-gubat (Carmona cetusa) as mouthwash (7.) Yerba-Buena (Menthaarvensis) as analgesic or anti-pyretic (8.) Niyug-niyogan (Quisaualisindica) as anti-helminthic (9.) Acapulco (Cassia alata) as antifungal (10.) Ulasimang-bato (Peperomiapellucida) as anti-hyperurisemia.
Meanwhile, GreenMinds Incorporated through its farming component, Umanika Eco-Cultural Farm, purveys potted culinary herbs and medicinal plants for as low as 50 pesos per pot or polyethylene bags.
As a Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) partner of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in Region 10, GreenMinds Incorporated advocates such cause by empowering rural communities through the establishment of communal gardens which will serve as food source and as source of herbal medicine.
You can reach Umanika at these contact details and particulars:
MEMBER: Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP)
GREENMINDS INCORPORATED
Farm Location: Impalambong, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
Main Establishment: Turquoise St., Golden Village, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City
Cooperator: Reynaldo Gil Lomarda
Land Area: 8,000 Square Meters
Date Established: June 2013
Farm Products: Garden-variety vegetables, medicinal and culinary herbs, livestock, tropical fruits, processed goods such as culinary herbs & salt blends, organic dried herbs, organic peanuts, banana chips, organic turmeric granules
Services Offered: Farm Development, Farm Accommodation, Camping, Technical Trainings, Advocacy Projects, Consultancy Services
Social Media Page: https://www.facebook.com/Umanika-Eco-Cultural-Farm-147742026252083/
Website: www.greenmindsinc.com
Contact Details: (088) 858-4976 / 0998-869-0648
E-mail: info@greenmindsinc.com