Blumea Balsamifera (Sambong) is a medicinal plant widely distributed in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It has been used in folk medicine because of its many health benefits, including the treatment of purulent wounds, respiratory infections, stomach pain, and kidney stones.
In the Philippines, this plant is commonly known as Sambong. Blumea Balsamifera (Sambong) is traditionally being used as an alternative medicine for the common cold and as a diuretic. Sambong leaves are known for their ngai or Blumea camphor, which is used as herbal medicine to treat kidney stones, wounds and cuts, rheumatism, antidiarrhea, anti-spasm, colds, coughs, and high blood pressure.
Sambong contains sesquiterpenes, which are identified as blumeaeene and samboginone, as well as antioxidant flavonoids such as blumeatin, quercetin, rhamnetin, tamarixetine, and luteolin. The volatile oil obtained from Sanfeng consists of camphor, borneol, isobornol, terpineol, caryophyllene, guaiac and eugenol. Sambong has a variety of biological activities, such as antitumor, liver protective, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimelanogenesis, platelet aggregation, wound healing, and anti-obesity properties.
As herbal treatment for fever.
The roots and leaves of Sambong are used as herbs to treat fever. The Sambong leaves and roots are crushed and then dissolved in cold water. Place a soft cloth on the neck, forehead, armpits, and other parts of the body to lower body temperature.
Treatment for diarrhea and stomach spasms.
Get a handful of leaves of Sambong and wash them thoroughly with running water. Boil 2 cups of water and put the leaves in the boiling water. Let it boil until the water turns dark or until the extract has been incorporated well into the water. Drink it twice a day 30 minutes after eating your meal.
Treatment for cuts and wounds.
Wash Sambong leaves with running water and make sure that it is clean. Pound the leaves until the extract comes out. Put the pounded leaves directly to the cuts or wounds.
As diuretic.
Diuretics, also called water pills, are drugs designed to increase the amount of water and salt excreted from the body in the form of urine. Make a Sambong tea and drink it at least twice a day.
Temporary treatment for rheumatism.
The roots and leaves of Sambong are also used as medicinal herbs for rheumatism. The roots and leaves of Sambong are crushed and applied as a plaster to the affected body parts. The roots and leaves of Sambong can also be boiled and applied to the affected area.
Today, herbal medicines are widely consumed, and their sales have increased significantly worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, more than 80% of the population in developing countries mainly rely on herbal medicines to treat diseases, which are considered safer and more effective than synthetic drugs.