Niyog-niyogan

Also known as: Chinese honeysuckle · Rangoon creeper · Combretum indicum (binomial name) · Quisqualis indica (synonym) · Bawe-bawe (Pampanga name)

Medicine

Definition

Niyog-niyogan (Combretum indicum L., also known as Quisqualis indica), commonly known as Chinese honeysuckle, is a woody climbing liana native to the Philippines. It is officially recognized as one of the ten medicinal plants clinically validated and approved by the Department of Health (DOH) through the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC). Niyog-niyogan is traditionally used as an anthelmintic agent to expel intestinal worms (specifically ascariasis and trichuriasis) in children. (Official Gazette)

Identities

Source Type	Identity
Wikipedia	Combretum indicum
Wikidata	Q11126749
DBpedia	Combretum_indicum
ProductOntology	N/A
Wiktionary	niyog-niyogan
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)	Combretum indicum — Therapeutic use — Philippines
MeSH	Combretum
NCBI Taxonomy	Combretum indicum (taxid: 195977)
AGROVOC	Combretum indicum
Google Scholar	Niyog-niyogan Combretum indicum anthelmintic worms Philippines DOH
ConceptNet	niyog-niyogan
OpenCyc	N/A

Also Known As

Chinese honeysuckle
Rangoon creeper
Combretum indicum (binomial name)
Quisqualis indica (synonym)
Bawe-bawe (Pampanga name)

Examples and Analogies

Traditional Seed Administration: The clinical protocol of using mature, dried niyog-niyogan seeds (crushed and eaten) to treat intestinal helminthiasis in rural children.
Contrast with Synthetic Anthelmintics: While synthetic drugs (such as albendazole) work by binding to colchicine-sensitive sites on parasite tubulin to block glucose uptake, niyog-niyogan contains active organic acids (like quisqualic acid) that act as neuromuscular toxins to expel parasites.

Usage Scenarios

1. Traditional Deworming Treatment

A mother in a rural barangay administers dried, toasted niyog-niyogan seeds to her child to expel intestinal roundworms, following DOH dosage guidelines. (Official Gazette)

2. Community Health Program

A rural health unit conducts a deworming campaign, educating parents on how to prepare and safely dose home-grown niyog-niyogan plants.

Strategies

Use only mature, dried seeds of the niyog-niyogan plant; immature green seeds have higher levels of toxic alkaloids that cause hiccups.
Consume the seeds two hours after the last meal of the day to maximize contact with intestinal parasites.
Administer the exact age-appropriate dose (typically 4 to 5 seeds for children aged 4 to 6) to avoid adverse reactions.

Security and Safety Measures

Do not give niyog-niyogan seeds to children under four years old without medical supervision.
Monitor for symptoms of toxicity, which include persistent hiccups, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Consult a doctor immediately if intestinal worm infestation persists after two consecutive doses.

Historical Context

Niyog-niyogan has been used as a natural deworming agent throughout the Malay Archipelago for centuries. In the late 20th century, clinical trials under the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) confirmed its anthelmintic efficacy. Under the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997, it was formally cataloged by PITAHC, providing a low-cost, locally sourceable deworming alternative for rural families. (Official Gazette)

Challenges and Controversies

Toxicity and Hiccup Side Effect

The most common side effect of niyog-niyogan is persistent hiccups, caused by quisqualic acid acting on the central nervous system. This causes anxiety among parents, highlighting the need for careful dosing.

Lack of Commercial Formulations

Unlike lagundi and sambong, niyog-niyogan is rarely manufactured as a commercial tablet due to dose-dependent toxicity, meaning it remains primarily a fresh-use home remedy.

References

Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines