TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) field office here is eyeing to surpass this year its 11.9 million tablets of herbal medicines produced in 2024 due to growing demand.

Maria Venus Apolonio, Tacloban plant manager of the Department of Health-PITAHC, on Friday said their increased production is buoyed by increasing demand from DOH regional offices, particularly in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), where there is intensified distribution of non-synthetic drugs in rural health centers.

“Our production has been increasing every year as we follow the trend for organic produce, prioritizing natural over synthetic medicines," Apolonio said in an interview.

The facility produces an average of 1.8 million tablets monthly. The center is focused on the production of Vitex negundo (Lagundi) and Blumea balsamifera (Sambong).

“Lagundi” is traditionally used to treat insect and snake bites, ulcers, rheumatism, sore throat, cough, fever, and clogged sinuses. The plant is common and widely distributed in the country.

“Sambong” is a non-invasive alternative to expensive treatments for kidney stones and edema.

Raw materials are sourced from its 15-hectare plantation in Cabalawan village here behind the Eastern Visayas Medical Center. Harvesting is done every quarter.

“We do our best to meet the annual quota. When time is limited, we outsource from local farmers but we must ensure their farm is accredited, aligned with our vision of organic raw materials, and meets our quality control standards,” Apolonio added.

PITAHC senior agriculturist Vincent Mapili said their plantation uses traditional farming methods, including topping for quality control, demarcation to prevent contamination, and hand-picking of diseased plants along with proper waste disposal.

PITAHC, an agency under the health department, advocates for the development and use of traditional and alternative healthcare in the country. (with reports from Jamiah Anne Mencias, OJT/PNA)

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