Charmaine A. Lingdas

The Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, has made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of gastrointestinal and biliary colic with the introduction of Tsaang Gubat tablets and syrup. This innovative herbal remedy offers a natural, affordable, and highly effective solution to a common health issue that affects millions of Filipinos.

Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla) also known as Scorpion bush, has long been used in the Philippines to treat diarrhea and spasms and contains natural components—alpha- and beta-amyrin—which provide pain relief, have anti-diarrheal effects, and reduce spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. As stated by Dr. Jaime M. Purificacion, Research Faculty at IHM, “Tsaang Gubat offers an accessible and natural option, particularly in rural areas, supporting our local herbal industry while integrating traditional knowledge with modern pharmaceutical practices.”

Gastroenteritis and diarrhea are leading causes of morbidity in the Philippines. These conditions are often accompanied by symptoms such as watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and pain. Traditional treatments include antispasmodics—medicines that help relieve muscle spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. However, these synthetic treatments like dicycloverine and hyoscine can have side effects such as heartburn, constipation, and dry mouth, prompting the need for a safer alternative.

The Tsaang Gubat Development

Clinical trials conducted by the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) have confirmed that Tsaang Gubat syrup is as effective as dicycloverine in treating mild to moderate gastrointestinal colic, especially in patients aged 2 to 18 years. “Human trials showed that Tsaang Gubat provided comparable symptomatic improvement with dicycloverine syrup at various time points, from 30 minutes to 24 hours,” stated Dr. Purificacion.

Biliary colic, often caused by gallstones, is another condition where Tsaang Gubat shows promise. Studies reveal that Tsaang Gubat tablets provide comparable pain relief to dicycloverine within 30 minutes, with complete relief from colic symptoms in just 2.5 hours.

Another major advantage of Tsaang Gubat is its affordability. Once commercialized, Tsaang Gubat is ideally priced at P30 per treatment, making it significantly cheaper than dicycloverine, which costs around Php 50.00 for generic brands, and other gastrointestinal treatments on the market. “One competitive advantage of Tsaang Gubat tablets is their affordability compared to other treatments available in the market,” Dr. Purificacion emphasized. In addition, unlike synthetic treatments, Tsaang Gubat has no major side effects.

Moreover, Tsaang Gubat syrup has proven to be well-received by patients. Adds Dr. Purificacion, “The majority of patients found the syrup sweet, pleasant, and easy to swallow, and there were no adverse effects reported.” This makes Tsaang Gubat a viable and safer alternative, particularly for pediatric use.

Next Steps for Tsaang Gubat

With its promising clinical results and real-world applications, Tsaang Gubat tablets and syrup are poised to become a go-to remedy for gastrointestinal issues. The potential market for Tsaang Gubat is substantial, especially as the demand for natural remedies continues to grow. Recognizing this opportunity, UP Manila is positioning Tsaang Gubat as one of the next major herbal products for 2024, offering pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to license and manufacture this innovative treatment.

This breakthrough is the result of collaborative efforts from a team of leading scientists, including Dr. Nelia P. Cortes-Maramba, Evangeline Amor, Dr. Clara Lim Sylianco, Dr. Horacio Estrada, Prof. Ernesta Quintana, Dr. Romeo Quijano, Dr. Natividad de Castroci, Dr. Cecilia Zamora, and Prof. Leticia Barbara Gutierrez. Their work on Tsaang Gubat further emphasizes UP Manila’s commitment to advancing herbal medicine and supporting the local healthcare industry.

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