Niyog-Niyogan: Another Herbal Plant Endorsed By The Philippine Department Of Health For Its Deworming Property

Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.), also known as Rangoon Creeper and Chinese Honeysuckle, is native in Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, India, Myanmar, and Malaysia. It has a fragrant and colorful flower. Its edible fruit is ellipsoidal in shape with five lengthwise wings and has seeds that are black in color (1).

Known for its deworming properties, niyog-niyogan is a medicine that eliminates intestinal parasites. It is also popular in healing ulcers, headaches, diarrhea, fever, and painful urination and some even claim it to be anticancer (2).

Almost all of its parts are used individually or mixed with other ingredients, as a remedy to different ailments. According to the Philippine Department of Health this climbing, the woody shrub can provide the body with the following health benefits (3):

Expels intestinal worms and parasites
Treatment of inflammation of the kidneys
Remedy for boils and skin ulcers
Remedy for headaches
Remedy for diarrhea and fever
Remedy for dysuria or painful urination
Has anti-cancer properties

Usage

As a tea – Pound or cut about a tablespoon of flowers of niyog-niyogan and then add in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and let it cool. Drink a cup two to three times a day. Make new niyog-niyogan herbal tea as needed. When symptoms persist or irritation occurs stop the use and consult your doctor (4).

The fruit is edible and can be eaten raw, roasted, or cooked and may be included in the daily diet (4).

Seeds of niyog-niyogan can be taken to expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body. These are eaten raw two hours before the patient’s last meal of the day. Adults may take 10 seeds while children 4 to 7 years of age may eat up to four seeds only. Children from ages 8 to 9 may take six seeds and seven seeds may be eaten by children 10 to 12 years old (5).

Decoctions of its roots are also sometimes used as a remedy for rheumatism while its fruits are used as an effective way to relieve toothaches (5).

Other Medicinal Uses (6)

Roasted seeds help control diarrhea and fever.
Boiled leaves used to check difficulty in urinating
Fruit decoction of fruit, taken as a mouthwash, is effective against nephritis.
Juice made from leaves is used in the treatment of ulcers, boils, and fever-induced headaches.
Pounded leaves are used externally for skin diseases.