‘Sambong’ good for kidney problems

Laboratory and clinical studies recently revealed that sambong – a medicinal plant found in the Philippines – is safer than many manufactured medicines sold over the counter.

Sambong has been proven to be an effective diuretic and can increase a patient’s urine volume by an average of 60 percent. The plant enhances the body’s natural ability to increase urine volume and thus, helps get rid of excess body fluids.

Studies have shown it can help people with edema, congestive heart failure and mild to moderate hypertension as long as the kidney function is normal.

The indigenous plant has been extensively researched by the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants under the PCHRD-Department of Science and Technology.

Local folk has been using sambong for various health conditions, including edema and kidney problems. It has also been proven to help dissolve kidney/urinary tract stones called "urolithiasis."

With go-signal from DOST experts, PLI Altermed Corp. spearheaded the manufacture of sambong leaves into a medicinal product organically grown and properly processed to ensure consistent and high quality and efficacy.

Sambong tablets, with the brand name "Re-Leaf," are now available in the market in 250 mg and 500 mg preparations.

However, only patients with normal kidney functions and incomplete obstruction in their urinary system can take Re-Leaf (Sambong) tablets. Thus, it is important for patients suspected to have kidney stones to consult their doctor first before taking Re-leaf tablets.

After treatment, the patients must consult their doctor again to make sure that the stones have been eliminated. Remaining fragments may be dissolved with longer intake of Re-leaf so they will not serve as the nidus for future stone formation.

Stones are named depending on their location in the urinary system. If found in the kidneys, the stone is referred to as "nephrolithiasis"; in the ureter, "ureterolithiasis"; and in the bladder, "cyctolithiasis."

Most kidney stone sufferers have unhealthy diets, lack fluid intake, and live sedentary lifestyles. In the Philippines, most kidney stones are composed of calcium and/or uric acid crystals. Normally, the kidneys are able to handle the elimination of these materials without them clumping together to form stones in the urinary system.

An abnormally acidic urine also predisposes a person to kidney stone formation. Sambong is deemed to help in dissolving kidney stones through phytochemicals found in its leaves. Some of these phytochemicals are called "terpenes" and are the ingredients in other drugs for the treatment of kidney stones.

Together with phytochemicals, the increase in urine volume also contributes to the dissolution of urinary stones. Thus, repeated intake of Re-leaf (Sambong) tablets at one gram thrice daily, for six weeks, can soften and dissolve kidney stones without need for surgery or lithotrypsy.

For more information, call the PLI Altermed hotline at 411-9907 or 920-1911.