The Health Benefits of Pancit-Pancitan

The Philippines is a country with a diversified flora, home of many different plant species which have scientific medicinal value recently found in the current research made by the Philippine Department of Health (DoH). One of these plants is the "Pansit-pansitan".

These plants are shallow rooted and have shiny stems which are also succulent. The leaves are transparent, alternating in as turgid and heart-shaped. These plants grow easily in clumps within lightly shaded damp areas, loose soil and are conspicious in the rocky parts of canals or streams.

Pansit-pansitan is a native Philippine herb (scientific name: Peperomia pellucida) - also known as "Ulasiman bato" or English name "Peperomia" or "Shiny Bush". Pansit-pansitan is one of the crude plants known and approved by the Philippine DoH to provide relief and treatment of rheumatic pains and gout.

Pansit-pansitan plants are quite edible, from the flowers, stems and leaves. These plants grow to a length of one-and-a-half feet. Once harvested and washed, pansit-pansitan can be readily eated as salad. Likewise, these plants can also be made into a decoction by boiling one cup of washed and cleaned stems and leaves in two cups of water. Decoction should be taken twice a day - one in the morning and one in the evening. Decoction of pansit-pansitan leaves and stems are good for kidney problems as well as abdominal pains.

Pansit-pansitan can also be used to treat skin disorders such as pimples, boils, and abcesses. To create a poultice, the stems and leaves are heated and pounded to form a paste which can be applied directly to the affected area. Decoction can also be used as a wash to treat and rinse the skin disorders as well as facial problems.

The Health Benefits of Malunggay for Breastfeeding Mothers

I encourage each and every Filipino family to grow malunggay trees in their backyard. Since malunggay trees are readily available in different parts of the Philippines, Filipino doctors and nurses should continuously promote the health and nutritional benefits of eating malunggay. Malunggay leaves are not only rich in vitamin A and C, calcium, potassium, and protein, but also have antibacterial properties which is commonly used for medicinal purposes.

Each year, millions of pregnant women give birth to their babies. Although the Philippine Department of Health (DoH) has been very firm in promoting the importance of breastfeeding for the health of the newborn babies, it is very rare that we can hear nurses promoting the advantages of eating malunggay during the patients' breastfeeding period. As a result, there are a lot of cases wherein breastfeeding mothers experience mastitis – also known as “the inflammation of the breast caused by the blocking of the milk ducts while mothers are lactating”.

The mere fact that there are only few healthcare professionals who are publicly promoting the nutritional benefits of malunggay leaves suggest the strong need to enhance the general knowledge and learning experience of our future healthcare professionals. By knowing the health benefits of incorporating malunggay in the diet of lactating mothers, health care professionals can play a very important role in ensuring that each mother and their newborn baby willl not only receive proper nutrition but also protect them from possible infection caused by bacteria such as streptococcus, legionella, and staphylococcus.