Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit

Dr. Cecilia S. Maramba-Lazarte, director of the Institute for Herbal Medicine, National Institutes of Health presented the Philippine Herbal Medicine Development Plan during the 2nd Philippine Pharma and Healthcare Expo (PPHC) on Feb. 26, 2025.

Dr. Cecilia Maramba-Lazarte, an infectious disease specialist and pharmacologist from the University of the Philippines Manila, is advocating for the integration of herbal medicines into the Philippine healthcare system. 

Speaking at the 2nd Philippine Pharma and Healthcare Expo (PPHC) held at the SMX Convention Centre, Mall of Asia, Dr. Maramba-Lazarte underscored the importance of herbal medicine research and development in addressing health challenges, reducing medication costs, and promoting sustainable healthcare solutions.

“Many Filipinos struggle with high medication costs and limited access to medicines, especially in remote areas. Our goal is to address this by promoting the use of herbal medicines,” she stated.

Herbal Medicines in the Philippines

As director of the Institute for Herbal Medicine of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Maramba-Lazarte emphasized the Institute’s role in developing scientifically validated herbal medicines.

“Many of our products originate from traditional healers’ practices. We use scientific techniques to determine their efficacy, ensuring they undergo rigorous preclinical and clinical trials similar to synthetic drugs,” she explained. The process includes agricultural research to determine optimal cultivation methods, followed by pharmaceutical research adhering to global standards such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and Good Clinical Practices (GCP).

Dr. Maramba-Lazarte cited sambong (Blumea balsamifera) as a prime example to highlight the advantages of herbal medicines. Unlike synthetic treatments that require multiple drugs for kidney stone management, sambong naturally functions as a diuretic, stone-dissolving agent, and muscle relaxant. Similarly, lagundi (Vitex negundo) contains compounds that act as a bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine—making it effective for cough and asthma relief.

Currently, only three herbal medicines—lagundi, sambong, and tsaang gubat (Carmona retusa)—are included in the Philippine National Formulary. These have undergone rigorous clinical trials and are recognized for their therapeutic benefits. Dr. Maramba-Lazarte noted that while Thailand lists 97 herbal medicines in its essential medicines list, the Philippines still has a long way to go. 

“We need to catch up and ensure Filipinos have access to safe, effective, and affordable herbal medicines,” she emphasized.

A National Plan for Herbal Medicine Development

“By 2030, we envision Philippine herbal medicines as a vital component of Universal Healthcare, addressing people’s needs and significantly contributing to nation-building,” Dr. Lazarte shared. To achieve this, she and her team developed the Philippine National Herbal Medicine Development Plan, focusing on the following:

1. Knowledge Building – Assessing local and ASEAN herbal medicine research, preserving traditional knowledge, and evaluating drug pricing
2. Policy & Regulation – Establishing a National Council for Herbal Medicine Development, reviewing the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA), and engaging with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for improved regulation
3. Mainstreaming Herbal Medicines – Partnering with marginalized communities, creating educational materials, and incorporating herbal medicines into school curricula
4. Research & Development – Increasing funding, conducting clinical trials, and standardizing research salaries
5. Industry Development – Strengthening the market for herbal medicines, supporting small-scale enterprises, and integrating herbal medicines into the Medicine Access Program

Moving Forward

The next steps in implementing the national plan include forming a coalition among government agencies, academia, industry leaders, and local communities. The initiative has already engaged key stakeholders, including the Department of Health (DOH), FDA, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), and various medical associations.

“We advocate for an FDA green lane for local industries, stronger monitoring of herbal supplements, and alignment with ASEAN and international standards. Establishing national standards for agricultural practices and manufacturing is crucial,” Dr. Maramba-Lazarte added.

Collaboration with marginalized communities remains a priority, with urban and rural communities showing enthusiasm for herbal medicine integration. “We aim to create policies and programs, promote awareness through education, and encourage schools to incorporate herbal gardening projects,” she said. 

Initiatives include expanding herbal medicine seedling distribution and including herbal medicines in the Botika ng Bayan program. Additionally, the team is looking into benchmarking ASEAN practices and exploring halal applications for herbal medicine.

Dr. Maramba-Lazarte’s team aims to develop and maintain herbal medicine reference standards, establish standardized testing centers, and determine research funding mechanisms. They are also working to develop sustainable farming methods, an herbarium, and a seed bank. 

In conclusion, Dr. Maramba-Lazarte said, “We need cross-sector collaboration to push for legislative reforms and ensure that herbal medicine becomes a sustainable option in Philippine healthcare.”

As the country moves toward Universal Healthcare, integrating herbal medicines represents a significant step in improving healthcare accessibility, reducing costs, and leveraging indigenous knowledge for national development.#