by Lito Dar

Baguio City (7 November) -- November is being celebrated nationwide as "Traditional and Alternative Health Care Month", and as part of the commemoration, the Center for Health and Development Cordillera (CHD-CAR) is involved in various advocacy programs on traditional and alternative medicines.

In a radio interview Thursday, CHD-CAR Food and Drugs Regulation Officer (FDRO) II Lily Ann Aglubat, explained that the objective of the commemoration is to integrate traditional healing practices with current health care system, to complement and not to replace modern medicine, in consonant with the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997.

According to Aglubat, only the DOH Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) registered herbal medicines have scientific proof of safety, efficacy and good quality. To date, there are 10 herbal products/medicines recognized by the Health Department namely Acapulco, Ampalaya, Bawang, Bayabas, Lagundi, Sambong, Niyug-niyugan, pansit-pansitan or ulasimang bato, and Herba Bueno (pepper mint). Of these ten registered herbal medicines, Lagundi and sambong, are already formulated into dosage forms (capsules).

There are now many kinds of herbal food products and herbal dietary supplements being sold in the market. Aglubat clarified that both herbal food products and dietary supplements are not medicines, and have no therapeutic claims, and its only purpose is to supplement whatever nutrients that the body lacks.

Aglubat is advising the public that before using or taking-up food supplements, they should first consult or seek a doctor's advice, so as to avoid any complications, especially those with diagnosed ailments. Likewise for public to look for the BFAD Food Registration (FR) number in buying food supplements products and BFAD Herbal Medicine Registration (HMR) number for herbal medicine products, to assure their safety.

Only BFAD-registered herbal food and dietary supplements ensure the public on cleanliness and exclusion of toxic substance, Aglubat said.