MEDICINAL USES OP PLANTS 179 



Family MARANTACEAE 



Genus DON AX 



DONAX CANNAEFORMIS (Forst. f.) K. Schum. Bamban. 



A description and figure of this species and its local names 

 are given in the section on fiber plants. 



The roots when brewed in decoction are said to act as an 

 antidote for snake bites, and in blood-poisoning generally. 



Family ORCHIDACEAE 

 Genus GEO DO RUM 

 GEODORUM NUTANS (Presl) Ames. 



A description of this species and its local names are given 

 in the section on resins, gums, and oils. 



The tuberous base is regarded as emollient when utilized 

 as a poultice. 



Family CASUARINACEAE 



Genus CASUARINA 



CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLIA L. Ag6ho. 



Local names: Agoho (Tagalog, Bisaya, Bikol, Pampangan) ; ago (Palaui 

 Islands, Cagayan) ; agok (Cagayan, Babuyanes Islands) ; agoko (Panga- 

 sinan) ; agoso (Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tayabas) ; ak-o (Cagayan) ; aro 

 (IIoco, Benguet) ; arobo, aroho (Abra) ; aroo (Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Pan- 

 gasinan, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Sur) ; karo (Ilocos) ; malabohok (Bisaya) ; 

 maribiihok (Leyte, Surigao). 



The bark, in decoction, is employed as an emmenagogic and 

 ecbolic when taken in large doses. 



Distribution: Very widely distributed from northern Luzon 

 to Palawan and northern Mindanao, along the coast and sandy 

 river valleys. 



Family PIPERACEAE 



Genus PIPER 

 PIPER BETLE L. BuYO or Betel Pepper. 



A description of this species and its local names are given 

 in the section on official medicinal plants. 



The leaves, together with lime and betel nut, constitute a 

 masticatory in general use among the Filipinos, who consider 

 it a preservative of the teeth and a prophylactic against certain 

 complaints of the stomach. The leaves when greased with lard 

 or sesame oil are much used by Filipinos as a carminative 

 medicine applied to the abdomen of children suffering from 

 gastric disorders. 



