🌿 Lubi-Lubi Tree vs. Niyog-Niyogan Herbal Medicine — What’s the Difference?

This is one of the most confusing plant names in the Philippines — both are sometimes called "niyog-niyogan," but they are completely different plants! Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all. 😊

 

📌 The Big Confusion First

- Lubi-Lubi = the small tree (Ficus pseudopalma) — also called "niyog-niyogan" in Tagalog regions

- Niyog-Niyogan = the climbing vine (Combretum indicum) — the famous deworming herb

- Both got their names from coconut — one looks like it, the other tastes like it! 🥥

 

🌳 LUBI-LUBI — The "Mini Coconut Tree" (Vegetable & Medicine)

Scientific name: Ficus pseudopalma

English names: Philippine Fig, Palm-leaf Fig, Dracaena Fig

Family: Moraceae (Fig/Mulberry family)

Type: Small tree / shrub — NOT a vine! 2–6 meters tall

 

🌿 Appearance

- Single, unbranched trunk topped with long, palm-like leaves — looks like a tiny coconut tree from afar! That's why it's called pseudopalma = "false palm"

- Leaves are long, paddle-shaped, up to 75–100 cm long 

- Fruits are small, round figs growing directly on the trunk

- Endemic to the Philippines — found mostly in Bicol and Luzon

 

🍽️ Main Uses

- 🥬 FOOD FIRST! Young leaves & shoots are widely eaten as a vegetable — famously cooked in coconut milk (gata) in Bicolano cuisine

- 💊 Medicine: Leaf decoction used for diabetes, kidney stones, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, urinary problems

- 🌱 Also grown as an ornamental plant

 

🌿 NIYOG-NIYOGAN — The Colorful Climbing Vine (Dewormer)

Scientific name: Combretum indicum (formerly Quisqualis indica)

English names: Rangoon Creeper, Chinese Honeysuckle

Family: Combretaceae

Type: Climbing woody vine — can grow 8–20 meters long!

 

🌺 Appearance

- A fast-growing vine that climbs fences, trees, and walls

- Famous for flowers that change color: white → pink → deep red as they mature — very fragrant!

- Leaves are oval, pointed, 7–15 cm long

- Fruit is dry, almond-shaped with 5 wings — the seeds taste like coconut when roasted → hence the name "niyog-niyogan"

- Native to tropical Asia — not exclusive to the Philippines

 

💊 Main Uses

- 🪱 #1 DOH-APPROVED HERBAL DEWORMER — roasted seeds used to expel intestinal worms (roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms)

- 💊 Also used for diarrhea, fever, coughs, rheumatism, skin infections

- 🌸 Ornamental — grown everywhere for those beautiful, color-changing flowers!

 

📊 Quick Comparison Table

Feature 🌳 Lubi-Lubi (Ficus pseudopalma) 🌿 Niyog-Niyogan (Combretum indicum) 

Plant Type Small tree / shrub 🪵 Climbing vine 🌱 

English Name Philippine Fig / Palm-leaf Fig Rangoon Creeper / Chinese Honeysuckle 

Leaves Long, palm-like, clustered at top Oval, pointed, opposite on stem 

Flowers Hidden inside figs, not showy Showy — white → pink → red! Fragrant! 

Fruit Small green/purple figs Dry, 5-winged seed pod 

Primary Use 🥬 Eaten as vegetable; leaves for diabetes/kidney 🪱 Deworming medicine (seeds); flowers 

Origin 🇵🇭 Philippine endemic Tropical Asia, widespread 

Why "Coconut" Name? Looks like a mini coconut tree 🥥 Seeds taste like coconut when roasted 🥥 

 

✅ Final Simple Summary

🌳 Lubi-Lubi = TREE → eat the leaves as vegetable; use for diabetes & kidneys

🌿 Niyog-Niyogan = VINE → use the seeds to deworm; beautiful color-changing flowers

 

⚠️ Important: In some areas (especially Bicol), people call the tree "niyog-niyogan" too — so always clarify: vine or tree? Using the wrong one as medicine could be unsafe!

 

Hope this clears up the confusion! 💚 Want a shorter version or more details on how to use either one?