Philippine Nyog-nyogan (Chinese Honeysuckle): Folk-law Medicine

Niyog-niyogan (Chinese honeysuckle/ Rangoon Creeper/ Quisqualis Indica 6) native Philippine herbal traditional medicinal plant 1: Treatment for rheumatism, diarrhea and other ailments. The herbal plant grows in the forest of the Philippines, Myammar and Malaysia. 3 Also, Chinese honeysuckle grows in many parts of the world including India and Malaysia forests as a wild plant or cultivated ornamental. 8 Chinese honeysuckle can reach a height of eight meters and produces fragrant flowers from white to pink red (In clusters on the same stalk 2) 1: Prominent during summer and fall. The plant requires full sun, sandy loam to clay loam soil and normal to moist soil to propagate healthy growth. "The thorns of a Quisqualis are formed when a leaf drops but the petiole remains. The plant fruit is ellipsoidal, long 5 prominent wings lengthwise." 6 Also, herb plant produces edible fruit (mature fruit tastes like almonds 6) that be can be eaten after cleaning and soaking thoroughly in clean water. 3

Dried seeds of the Chinese honeysuckle are consumed to expel parasitic worms from the body, particular the Trichina and Ascaris. Recommended dosage: "5 to 7 dried seeds for children or 8 to 10 seeds for adults": Two hours after eating. Treatment maybe repeated if necessary after a week. 6

Leaves of the honeysuckle are pounded to be used for skin disease 5: boils and ulcers. 6. Roasted leaves treat fever and diarrhea. 5 Roots of the plant treat rheumatism and fruit decoction used for gargling. 6

Fruits of the honeysuckle are ingested to combat nephritis (Inflammation of the kidney). 1

Adverse side effects of the Chinese honeysuckle (hiccups, diarrhea, and abdominal pain) frequently occur if the nuts of the plant are eaten for consecutive days or when fresh nuts are eaten. 2

Chinese honeysuckle is one of ten approved herbal medicinal plants by the Philippine Department of Health (Health agency of the Philippine). 7 Rangoon Creeper has anti-cancer and anti-tumor growth properties. 9 Professor Dr. Thomas Efferth of the DKFZ (Deutsches Krebsforschungzzentrum) study of herbal plants, including the Rangoon Creeper found to have a success rate of about 24 percent, suppress the growth of cancer cell line in cultured laboratory testing. 10

References:

1.) Quisqualis indica - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quisqualis_indica

2.) Niyog-niyogan - http://www.stuartxchange.com/Niyog.html

3.) Edbible Plants That Cure Common Diseases - http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/Edible-Plants-That-Cure-Common-Diseases.159851

4.) Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders - http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecssssipe.com/herbs_pics/niyog_niyogan.php

5.) Philippine Medicinal Plants - http://www.philippineherbalmedicine.org/medicinal_plants.htm

6.) Quisqualis Indica - http://www.iflorist.co.uk/p-1377-quisqualis-indica.aspx

7.) Ten (10) Herbal Medicines in the Philippines Approved by the Department of Health (DOH) - http://www.stuartxchange.com/Niyog.html

8.) German search for new anti-cancer drugs from TCM - http://www.icukonline.org/news/02-04-2008-001-research.shtml

9.) Herbal Remedies For Cancer and Tumors - http://www.herbalremedy.org/herbal-medicine/herbal-remedies-cancer-tumors.aspx

10.) Searching Nature for Herbal Remedies - http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1280738/searching_nature_for_herbal_remedies/index.html