Study examines ethnomedicinal evidence on 97 plants traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections in the Philippines

31 Mar 2026

The Philippines is one of the world’s 18 mega-biodiverse countries, accounting for two-thirds of global biodiversity and 70-80% of plant and animal species. That is why it is unsurprising that the country ranks sixth in plant species variety, accounting for 5% of the global flora (Biodiversity Facts: Status and Trends of Biodiversity, Including Benefits from Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services n.d.). Furthermore, the country is culturally diverse, with an estimated 14 to 17 million Indigenous Peoples (IPs) divided into 110 indigenous communities and around 185 ethnolinguistic groups (United Nations Development Programme 2013). With such a diverse flora, the IPs learned to use medicinal plants to treat prevalent diseases. This practice became part of IP culture and has been passed down to succeeding generations (Belgica et al. 2021). As a result, medicinal plants became part of the Philippine primary health care system because they are readily available and inexpensive.

The potential of traditional medicine in the Philippines is underscored by the prevalence of common community diseases such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). As of 2020, UTI is the third leading cause of morbidity in the country. However, there remains a scarcity of ethnobotanical studies documenting the use of plants in treating UTIs. This study showed the abundance of medicinal plants used in treating UTI in the Philippines. For example, in Laguna, Annona muricata L. leaves are commonly prepared as a decoction through boiling (Fiscal 2017). Similarly, the Y’Apayaos in Cagayan use decoctions from the leaves and stems of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. to treat UTIs (Baddu and Ouano 2018). Among the Subanens of Misamis Occidental, UTIs are managed by washing the affected area with a decoction of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. leaves (Alduhisa and Demayo 2019). Meanwhile, the Alangan Mangyans of Occidental Mindoro consume the juice of Cocos nucifera L. as a remedy (Villanueva and Buot Jr. 2020). However, pharmacological and toxicological studies are still needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these medicinal plants in treating UTIs in the community.

This systematic review aims to investigate, synthesize, and compile ethnomedicinal evidence on anti-UTI medicinal plants in the Philippines that have yet to be clinically validated or recognized. Additionally, this review included toxicologic and teratogenic data on plant species that can be used as a reference for their safety and the need for further testing. A total of 97 plants were documented in this systematic review. The most commonly used plant for UTIs in this review was the coconut tree. Many of the frequently cited families and genera include common household plants in the Philippines, such as sambong and pandan. Their widespread availability in resource-limited settings highlights the need for further research on their potential anti-UTI properties.

Authors: Mariel C. Magtalas (Department of Biology, College of Science, Bulacan State University), Manuel Luis A. Borja (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Juan Raphael M. Perez (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Elgin Paul B. Quebral (Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila), and Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco (Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila | Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.54645/202417SupQGY-19

Study examines ethnomedicinal evidence on 97 plants traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the world’s 18 mega-biodiverse countries, accounting for two-thirds of global biodiversity and 70-80% of plant and animal species. That is why it is unsurprising that the country ranks sixth in plant species variety, accounting for 5% of the global flora (Biodiversity Facts: Status and Trends of Biodiversity, Including Benefits from Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services n.d.). Furthermore, the country is culturally diverse, with an estimated 14 to 17 million Indigenous Peoples (IPs) divided into 110 indigenous communities and around 185 ethnolinguistic groups (United Nations Development Programme 2013). With such a diverse flora, the IPs learned to use medicinal plants to treat prevalent diseases. This practice became part of IP culture and has been passed down to succeeding generations (Belgica et al. 2021). As a result, medicinal plants became part of the Philippine primary health care system because they are readily available and inexpensive.

The potential of traditional medicine in the Philippines is underscored by the prevalence of common community diseases such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). As of 2020, UTI is the third leading cause of morbidity in the country. However, there remains a scarcity of ethnobotanical studies documenting the use of plants in treating UTIs. This study showed the abundance of medicinal plants used in treating UTI in the Philippines. For example, in Laguna, Annona muricata L. leaves are commonly prepared as a decoction through boiling (Fiscal 2017). Similarly, the Y’Apayaos in Cagayan use decoctions from the leaves and stems of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. to treat UTIs (Baddu and Ouano 2018). Among the Subanens of Misamis Occidental, UTIs are managed by washing the affected area with a decoction of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. leaves (Alduhisa and Demayo 2019). Meanwhile, the Alangan Mangyans of Occidental Mindoro consume the juice of Cocos nucifera L. as a remedy (Villanueva and Buot Jr. 2020). However, pharmacological and toxicological studies are still needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these medicinal plants in treating UTIs in the community.

This systematic review aims to investigate, synthesize, and compile ethnomedicinal evidence on anti-UTI medicinal plants in the Philippines that have yet to be clinically validated or recognized. Additionally, this review included toxicologic and teratogenic data on plant species that can be used as a reference for their safety and the need for further testing. A total of 97 plants were documented in this systematic review. The most commonly used plant for UTIs in this review was the coconut tree. Many of the frequently cited families and genera include common household plants in the Philippines, such as sambong and pandan. Their widespread availability in resource-limited settings highlights the need for further research on their potential anti-UTI properties.

Authors: Mariel C. Magtalas (Department of Biology, College of Science, Bulacan State University), Manuel Luis A. Borja (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Juan Raphael M. Perez (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Elgin Paul B. Quebral (Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila), and Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco (Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila | Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.54645/202417SupQGY-19