About 7 out of 10 Filipinos use herbal medicines. That’s roughly 7 in every 10 people you know — your neighbor, your aunt, the person next to you on the jeepney. And among those who use them, close to 9 out of 10 say they take these remedies for a specific health need, not just as a general “feel-good” drink. The numbers come from a study by the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, and they point to something that’s been true for a long time in the Philippines: herbal medicine isn’t a fringe trend. It’s part of everyday life.
This isn’t just about lola’s tanglad tea anymore. The global herbal medicine market hit $70.57 billion in 2023, and the WHO says it could reach $5 trillion by 2050. Asia supplies over 70% of the world’s demand, and the Philippines is right in the middle of it all. Big pharma companies are now making clinically tested herbal products with FDA approval. But with all this growth come real questions: Are these products safe? Do they work the way people say they do? And what should you watch out for before buying that bottle of sambong capsules from the sari-sari store? Let me share what I found.
How Herbal Supplements Are Showing Up in Filipino Life
The Philippines has a long history with herbal remedies. Long before modern medicine arrived, people used ampalaya for blood sugar, guava leaves for wound cleaning, and lagundi for cough. What’s changed is that now, some of these plants are being turned into standardized pills, capsules, and syrups that go through clinical testing. The government’s Department of Health has officially recognized 10 medicinal plants. But not every herbal product on the market today has gone through that level of checking.
Where the Research Gets Tricky
The more I read, the more I realized that “herbal” and “safe” don’t always go together. Here’s the honest truth: some herbal products have strong science behind them, and some have very little. A lot depends on who made them, how they were processed, and whether they were tested.
One big issue is quality. The Philippine herbal medicine industry faces problems like not having enough raw materials, poor standardization, and processing that isn’t always consistent. Not all farmers use Good Agricultural Practices, which means the same plant grown in two different places can have very different levels of active ingredients. That matters because if you buy herbal capsules from one brand, the effect might be completely different from another brand with the same plant name on the label.
→ Scroll right to see all columns
| Product | Main Ingredient | What It’s Used For | Research Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stimuno | Phyllanthus niruri (Sampa-sampalukan) | Immune support for infections | Clinical trials in children and adults |
| Disolf | Earthworm protein (Lumbricus rubellus) | Blood circulation after stroke | RCT showed superior results vs aspirin |
| Morlactan | Sauropus androgynus + Coleus amboinicus | Breastmilk production | Studies show increased milk volume |
| Anerdic | Cinnamomum burmannii (cinnamon) | Gastritis and heartburn | Clinical studies for gastric issues |
| Inbumin | Snakehead fish protein (Dalag) | Wound healing after childbirth | Clinical trials in postpartum patients |
Another thing the research doesn’t fully agree on is how much we can trust studies done by the companies that make the products. The Dexa Group, for example, has published over 270 peer-reviewed studies and holds 51 patents. That’s impressive on paper. But independent studies from other researchers would give a fuller picture. Right now, the science is still catching up to the tradition.
Things That Catch People Off Guard
Natural Doesn’t Mean Risk-Free
This is the one I hear the most: “It’s natural, so it can’t hurt.” But the research says otherwise. Some plants can mess with your liver or kidneys if taken in large amounts or for too long. Some can lower or raise the effect of your regular medicine without you knowing. Just because something grows in the ground doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe for your body.
Not All Herbal Products Are Created Equal
Two bottles can both say “lagundi extract” on the label and be completely different in what’s actually inside. One might use the right part of the plant at the right concentration. The other might use fillers, old leaves, or too little of the active ingredient to do anything. The ASEAN group has developed technical guidelines for things like contaminants and labeling, but not every country enforces them the same way.
The Science Gap Between Tradition and Tablets
Your grandmother might have used ampalaya for diabetes for decades, and she might say it worked. But that’s different from a double-blind clinical trial that proves it works for most people in a measurable way. Only some herbs — like the five products in the table above — have gone through the full gauntlet of clinical testing. Many others are sold based on reputation, not evidence.
Supply Can Be a Real Bottleneck
The government and industry groups have started training programs for farmers on how to grow herbs the right way. But right now, the supply of good-quality raw materials isn’t enough to meet demand. That means some manufacturers might cut corners or source from places where quality control is loose. You don’t see this problem on the label, but it affects what ends up inside the bottle.
What You Can Actually Do With This Information
Check if the Product Is FDA-Registered
The Philippine FDA registers herbal medicines just like regular drugs. If a product has an FDA registration number, it means the manufacturer submitted documents about what’s in it and how it’s made. That’s not a guarantee that it works perfectly, but it’s a basic level of safety checking. Look for the number on the label. If it’s not there, that’s a red flag.
Talk to a Doctor or Pharmacist Before Starting
This is the most important one. A lot of people take herbal supplements without mentioning it to their doctor. But researchers have found that certain herbs can interact with common medications. A simple check with a pharmacist takes five minutes and can save you from a bad reaction. If your doctor doesn’t know you’re taking something, they can’t connect the dots if something goes wrong.
Stick With Known, Studied Herbs
The DOH has officially approved 10 medicinal plants: akapulko, ampalaya, garlic, guava, lagundi, niyog-niyogan, pansit-pansitan, sambong, tsaang gubat, and yerba buena. These have some level of government review behind them. If you’re curious about trying herbal supplements, starting with these gives you a better baseline than picking up something random from an unlabeled jar at the market.
Watch Out for Big Claims in Small Font
If a product promises to “cure diabetes” or “eliminate cancer” or “replace your maintenance medicine,” walk away. Those are not claims that real research supports, and in the Philippines, the market has its share of unverified products. Real science talks about “supporting” or “helping” — not magic fixes. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to take herbal supplements with my regular medicine? ▾
How do I know if a herbal product is good quality? ▾
Are the 10 DOH-approved medicinal plants safe for everyone? ▾
How much does the herbal supplement industry earn in the Philippines? ▾
Can herbal supplements replace my prescription medicine? ▾
Where can I find affordable herbal supplements in the Philippines? ▾
Closing Thoughts
The rise of herbal supplements in the Philippines is real, and it’s happening fast. More people are turning to natural remedies, and more companies are investing in making them scientifically sound. But the gap between tradition and science is still there, and not every product on the shelf has been properly tested. The best thing you can do is stay curious — and stay careful. Ask questions, check labels, and loop in your doctor before you try something new.
If this was useful, you might also want to read our guide on CoQ10 supplements for energy levels.
Sources
Herbal Supplements in the Philippines: Exploring Traditional Remedies and Their Benefits — A deeper look at the DOH-approved herbs and how Filipinos use them today.
Herbal medicines surge in Filipino trust, driving Asia’s rise in global ‘green pharmacy’. Philstar Global, 2025.
The Philippines and herbal medicine. Manila Bulletin, 2025.
Herbal Medicine Market Report. Grand View Research, 2023–2030.
16th Annual Meeting of WHO-IRCH. World Health Organization, 2025.
