A Facebook post claims that sambong leaves can cure kidney stones, gallstones, ulcer, UTI, and cancer. This is false.
On May 31, a Facebook user posted a 14-second reel video saying that using sambong leaves to make tea and drinking it in the morning can help treat the abovementioned illnesses. In it, an AI narrator said:
“Kung may sakit ka sa bato, kidney stones, gallstones, gallbladder, acid reflux, ulcer, UTI, cancer, guys, ito ang gawin niyong tsaa sa umaga. Napakaepektibo sa lahat ng sakit. Ito ay tinatawag na sambong.
(If you have kidney disease, kidney stones, gallstones, gallbladder problems, acid reflux, ulcers, a UTI, or cancer, guys, make this tea and drink it in the morning. It is very effective for all illnesses. It is called sambong.)”
Blumea balsamifera, more commonly known as sambong, has a wide range of health benefits that are recognized by the Department of Health (DOH). However, there is no recorded evidence or scientific study that proves it is a cure for the mentioned illnesses.
According to the 9th edition of the Philippine National Formulary, sambong is officially approved to help increase urinary output in patients experiencing fluid retention or edema. The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development has even developed the technology for sambong herbal medicine tablets, particularly to help pass kidney stones, which have been available in the market for such health issues.
While it is used as herbal treatment for kidney stones, cuts or wounds, rheumatism, diarrhea, spasms, colds, coughs, and hypertension, it has no therapeutic effect on acid reflux, ulcers, gallbladder disease, or cancer. The Philippine Institute for Traditional and Alternative Health Care told VERA Files Fact Check in an email that such claims circulating on social media have no approved clinical basis.
The circulating FB post published by an FB user has gained 2,100,000 views and received more than 26,588 reactions; 378 comments; and 2,200 shares.
