In the wake of the rampant cases of dengue outbreak, people are resorting to home remedies and are using herbs like mangagaw.

However, the health practitioners are extremely worried about the trend, as according to them the home remedies and usage of herbs, is not a substitute for proper medical attention.

One worrisome trend is the usage of the herb mangagaw that essentially is a weed and its growth is found in open spaces.

It is believed that the extract of the herb can increase the blood platelet count and is used in the rural areas.

Reports claim that midst the mounting cases of dengue, the usage of mangagaw is being used by several Cebuanos.

Commenting on the trend observed, Dr. Susanna Madarieta, Regional Director of the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7), said the efficiency of the plant and its effects on the human body to fight dengue have not been observed in-depth in the laboratory and thus, people should abstain from the usage of the herb.

She further added that in case people want to use the herb, they should be cautious. She advised that in the rural areas, the plant is generally boiled and all people resorting to the usage should follow the practice.

Another expert, Dr. Jocelyn Abellana, DOH-7 Regional Dengue Coordinator, recommended washing mangagaw before using the same. The doctor claimed that unhygienic usage can ignite more complications.

Though the effectiveness of the plant may be helpful in keeping dengue at bay, experts feel that proper medical attention is the only way to annihilate dengue completely.