TO the uninitiated, malunggay is a tree whose leaves are similarly named. The Ilonggos call it balunggay, and its name may be different in other dialects. The malunggay tree is easily grown—simply cut a trunk obliquely, two inches in diameter, and thrust it into the ground. Sun and rain will take care of its growth.

What exactly is it good for? On my consultation with a doctor for my eye problem, the EENT explained to me that with age (76 years) macular degeneration develops. This had caused difficulty for me to read as lines become curvy instead of straight. The eye doctor prescribed medicines that contain an element, whose main ingredient comes from green leaves. And malunggay is one of them.

As a graduate of BS Foods and Nutrition, I did my own version of malunggay power. Sanitary preparation is necessary because the leaves are to be eaten raw together with meals. First step, select unblemished small twigs—preferably with dark and mature leaves. Then wash them well in a large basin. It is better to harvest after rain, then there will be no need to wash. Let drip to dry in a shaded place. If the weather is warm, one day and one night will do.

When the small leaves start falling off, “harvest” the leaves with clean hands and put into a clean basin. This time sun-dry until crispy. Crush the leaves with a clean hand into small bits. Spoon the leaves into a sterile brown medicine bottle, and put a desiccator bag—to prevent moisture and growth of mold. After taking my power leaves with every meal in one month, my vision became clearer. My malady of being teary-eyed stopped. The glaring sunlight does not bother me anymore. My macular degeneration has been arrested. So was my growing cataract.

Malunggay gives many other benefits, and these are already known to many. And I hope that more of our poor brothers and sisters will have access to this information—the good news about this God-given wonder plant that is within the reach of every Filipino.

Cultivate malunggay with loving care to rid it of aphids and beetles. Prune young upper leaves for kitchen use so that it won’t grow tall. Above all, plant malunggay to have accessible supply. 

***Sister Monica is a registered nutritionist and has taught nutrition and related subjects in St. Scholastica’s College and Divine Word University. She has stayed in missions abroad like Angola and Barcelona.

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TO the uninitiated, malunggay is a tree whose leaves are similarly named. The Ilonggos call it balunggay, and its name may be different in other dialects. The malunggay tree is easily grown—simply cut a trunk obliquely, two inches in diameter, and thrust it into the ground. Sun and rain will take care of its growth.