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The re – classification of ampalaya from one of the ten herbs with medical benefits to being totally folkloric and tradition – bound herb with no medicinal properties by DOH Secretary Manuel Dayrit is unjustifiable for he rejects countless researches done by previous secretaries of the agency and even private scientists. During then secretary and now Senator Juan Flavier’s term, he classified ampalaya as one of the ten herbs that has scientific and medical benefits after countless experiments forwarded by private scientists and even after the experimentation of the department itself. Since then, the Philippine medical community has depended upon this herb both as an alternative medicine for diabetes mellitus and as a food – supplement for elders. For many years, taking of ampalaya pills and teas has garnered support especially from the poor masses that cannot meet the prices of laboratory drugs like insulin injections.
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