Medicinal Fruits and Vegetables features sixty one of the most commonly available and accessible Philippine grown fruits and vegetables traditionally used as both food and medicine. Each fruit and vegetable is detailed according to its botanical family, scientific name, nomenclatures in different languages and Filipino dialects, traditional medicine uses, contemporary research findings, food and nutrition values, recommended medicinal use, and botanical and agricultural characteristics. There are also helpful, easy-to-follow instructions on how to prepare medicinal plants at home by transforming them into decoctions, syrups, herbal baths, oils and alcohol extracts.

Evidence-based medicine has proven that daily intake of fruits and vegetables prevents many chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension and cancer. Their generous consumption contributes to the slowing down of the aging process. Aside from their macronutrients, all fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of powerful vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and anti-oxidants. The healing benefits of fruits and vegetables that our forefathers, grandmothers and traditional healers imparted to us are now being scientifically proven as truly efficacious.

This book aims to encourage a second look at fruits and vegetables. They are excellent functional foods and are safe and effective medicines as well. Fruits and vegetables are also our natural living assests and God's gifts for total health and well-being.