Sambong Benefits: Uses, Kidney Stones, Tea & Side Effects

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC.) is an aromatic medicinal plant widely found in the Philippines and other parts of tropical and subtropical Asia. It has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, and it has also been studied in clinical research, particularly for urinary tract stones and diuretic use.

However, not every claimed sambong benefit has the same level of scientific support. Some uses come from traditional medicine, while others have only been investigated in laboratory or animal studies.

In this guide, we look at the benefits of sambong, its traditional uses, what research says about sambong for kidney stones and uric acid, how sambong tea is commonly used, and the safety considerations worth knowing.

Important: Sambong should not be treated as a cure-all or as a replacement for appropriate medical care. Evidence for a standardized sambong preparation should not automatically be applied to every homemade tea, extract, or supplement.

Quick Facts About Sambong

Kew’s Plants of the World Online recognizes Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. as an accepted species in the Asteraceae family. Its native range includes the Philippines and other areas of tropical and subtropical Asia.

What Is Sambong?

Sambong is a fragrant shrub or subshrub in the daisy family, Asteraceae. The leaves have a distinctive aromatic scent, which is one reason the plant has been used traditionally in herbal preparations.

In the Philippines, sambong has become one of the better-known medicinal plants included in government-supported traditional and complementary medicine programs.

The plant is also known by different local or regional names in parts of Asia. Its accepted botanical name is Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., which is useful when checking research because common names can vary between countries.

What Are the Benefits of Sambong?

The evidence for sambong is best understood by separating traditional uses from benefits supported by clinical research.

1. Sambong May Help With Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, also called urinary tract stones or urolithiasis, are the most important clinical application associated with sambong in the Philippines.

The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) lists sambong for kidney-stone use and identifies clinical evidence for diuretic and antiuricemic activity in the Philippine setting.

DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development also documents a standardized sambong tablet developed through the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) and studied for kidney stones and edema.

A 2020 systematic review published in Acta Medica Philippina found that patients taking the studied NIRPROMP sambong tablet had greater reductions in urinary-stone size, greater stone passage, and greater improvement or disappearance of symptoms compared with placebo.

There is an important qualification, however. The systematic review included only four eligible studies, and it identified methodological limitations and a high risk of bias in some of the included trials. The findings are useful, but they do not justify treating sambong as a universal or guaranteed cure for kidney stones.

2. Sambong Has Diuretic Properties

A diuretic increases urine production. This property is one of the reasons sambong has been investigated for urinary stones and conditions involving fluid retention or edema.

DOST reports that clinical studies of the studied sambong formulation found increased urine excretion among patients with edema. PITAHC also identifies diuretic activity as one of sambong’s clinically investigated uses.

This does not mean sambong simply “flushes toxins” from the body. Detoxification claims found online are much broader than the available evidence supports.

3. Sambong May Have Antiuricemic Activity

PITAHC lists antiuricemic activity among sambong’s clinical uses in the Philippine setting. Antiuricemic refers to activity related to reducing uric acid levels.

That makes sambong an interesting subject for people searching for sambong for uric acid, but it should not be interpreted as proof that sambong can prevent or cure gout in every patient.

Anyone with high uric acid or recurrent gout should still have the underlying condition properly evaluated rather than using sambong as a substitute for medical treatment.

4. Sambong Has Several Traditional Herbal Uses

Sambong has traditionally been used for a range of minor health complaints. DOST’s PCHRD documentation mentions traditional uses involving fever, cough, headache, boils, abdominal pain, and gaseous distention.

These traditional uses are relevant to the history of sambong, but traditional use alone is not the same as clinical proof.

Scientific reviews have also described laboratory and preclinical research into antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and other biological activities of Blumea balsamifera. These findings help explain why the plant continues to attract scientific interest, but many of these potential benefits still require stronger evidence in humans.

Sambong for Kidney Stones: What Does the Research Show?

This is one of the most important questions surrounding sambong.

The strongest Philippine evidence concerns the use of a standardized sambong tablet for urinary tract stones. The UP Manila systematic review reported improvements in stone size, stone passage, and urinary symptoms compared with placebo.

DOST likewise reports that clinical studies of the NIRPROMP formulation found reductions in the size and number of kidney stones.

That evidence should be interpreted carefully. The research was conducted on a particular medicinal formulation and should not automatically be generalized to every sambong tea or homemade preparation.

Kidney stones also vary in size, location, composition, and severity. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), treatment depends on factors such as the stone’s size, location, and type. Larger stones or stones blocking the urinary tract may require medical treatment.

Does Sambong Dissolve Kidney Stones?

This is more complicated than a simple yes or no.

Clinical research has reported a reduction in stone size and increased stone passage with the studied NIRPROMP sambong formulation. PITAHC also lists dissolution of kidney stones as a pre-clinical activity.

It would therefore be more accurate to say that sambong has been studied for its potential to reduce or help pass urinary stones than to claim that sambong tea simply dissolves all kidney stones.

The type and size of a stone matter, and persistent symptoms may require imaging and professional treatment.

Is Sambong Good for UTI?

Sambong is sometimes promoted online as a natural treatment for urinary tract infections, but the evidence does not support presenting it as a proven replacement for UTI treatment.

Sambong has been studied for urinary stones and has diuretic properties. Those facts are different from proving that it can eliminate the bacteria responsible for a urinary tract infection.

Symptoms such as painful urination, frequent urination, fever, lower abdominal pain, or blood in the urine can have different causes. Persistent or significant urinary symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Sambong Tea Benefits

Sambong tea is one of the most familiar traditional ways of consuming the plant. The leaves may be prepared as an herbal infusion or decoction.

However, a homemade sambong tea should not automatically be considered equivalent to a standardized medicinal sambong tablet that has been used in clinical research.

The amount of plant material, preparation method, concentration, storage, and other factors can change what is actually present in a homemade preparation.

PITAHC publishes traditional preparation guidance for sambong leaves and advises people to visit a health center to identify the illness and determine appropriate treatment. Readers considering medicinal use should refer to the PITAHC sambong guidance rather than relying on an unsourced recipe from social media or a random website.

How Is Sambong Commonly Used?

Traditionally, sambong leaves may be prepared as a tea or decoction. Standardized medicinal products are also available in tablet form.

The important distinction is between traditional preparation and standardized medicinal products. Clinical research on the NIRPROMP tablet does not establish that every preparation made at home will have the same dose, consistency, or effects.

For that reason, this article does not provide a universal dosage for sambong. The appropriate amount depends on the preparation, intended use, age, health status, and other factors.

Sambong Side Effects

Sambong is a medicinal plant, so “natural” should not be interpreted as “risk-free.” Philippine healthcare references document precautions and adverse reactions associated with medicinal sambong preparations.

The Philippine Manual for Primary Healthcare lists elevation in ALT, epigastric pain, and constipation among reported adverse drug reactions for sambong. A DOST health technology assessment also reports epigastric pain, constipation, and flatulence among reported adverse events in the evidence it reviewed.

In the UP Manila systematic review, the NIRPROMP study reported mild epigastric pain and constipation in a small number of participants, while other included studies did not report adverse events.

These findings do not mean that everyone who drinks sambong will experience side effects. They do show why medicinal use should be approached with appropriate caution.

Who Should Be Careful With Sambong?

• People with possible urinary obstruction: Philippine healthcare guidance advises caution when an excretory urogram shows signs of renal obstruction.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding people: Safety information is insufficient, so medical guidance is appropriate before medicinal use.
• People with kidney or other chronic conditions: Speak with a healthcare professional before using concentrated herbal preparations.
• People taking medicines: Discuss regular medicinal use with a doctor or pharmacist, particularly when using multiple treatments.

When Should You Seek Medical Care?

Sambong should not delay medical attention when kidney or urinary symptoms could indicate a more serious problem.

Seek medical care promptly for severe or persistent pain, fever, repeated vomiting, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, or symptoms that suggest an obstructed urinary tract.

The NIDDK notes that larger kidney stones, stones that block urine flow, or stones causing significant pain may require urgent or procedural treatment.

What Does Scientific Research Say About Sambong?

Scientific research on Blumea balsamifera includes ethnobotanical studies, phytochemical research, laboratory experiments, animal studies, and clinical trials.

A review indexed in PubMed describes numerous biological activities investigated for sambong, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other preclinical effects.

A 2021 review published in PubMed similarly summarizes traditional uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological research involving Blumea balsamifera.

More recent research continues to examine the wider Blumea genus. A 2026 review of Blumea species and their pharmacological activities summarized 148 reported compounds and found that much of the evidence for the genus’s potential health effects remains preclinical. The authors also identified limited clinical validation and a lack of standardized methodologies as important limitations.

This distinction is important for readers. A laboratory result can show that a compound has biological activity without proving that drinking sambong produces the same result in humans.

Sambong in Philippine Traditional Medicine

Sambong has a particularly strong connection to Philippine herbal medicine.

PITAHC includes sambong in its public Directory of Herbs, where it documents traditional use and clinically investigated activity.

DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development also documents the development of a sambong-based herbal drug formulation for kidney stones and edema through the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants.

This government and research documentation makes sambong especially relevant when discussing Philippine medicinal plants. At the same time, recognition by a health authority does not mean every claim made about the plant has been scientifically proven.

Can You Grow Sambong at Home?

Sambong is also relevant to home gardeners because it is a familiar medicinal plant in the Philippines and can be cultivated in suitable tropical conditions.

For a broader look at useful herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, and other plants you can grow, see our complete gardening guide.

You can also explore our related guides to pansit-pansitan, tsaang gubat, and lemongrass for more information on Philippine and Southeast Asian medicinal and useful plants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sambong

What is sambong?

Sambong is the common Philippine name for Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., an aromatic shrub or subshrub in the Asteraceae family. Kew lists the species as native to tropical and subtropical Asia, including the Philippines.

What is sambong used for?

Sambong has a range of traditional uses, but its best-studied Philippine medical applications involve its diuretic and anti-urolithiasis properties. It has also been traditionally used for complaints such as cough, fever, abdominal discomfort, and headache.

What are the main benefits of sambong?

The most significant documented benefits are related to increased urine production and the management of urinary tract stones with specific studied sambong preparations. Other proposed benefits, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity, are supported mainly by preclinical research.

Does sambong dissolve kidney stones?

Clinical research on a standardized NIRPROMP sambong tablet found reductions in stone size and greater stone passage compared with placebo. This does not mean that every type of kidney stone will dissolve or that every sambong product will work in the same way.

Can sambong lower uric acid?

PITAHC lists antiuricemic activity among sambong’s clinically investigated uses in the Philippine setting. However, that should not be interpreted as proof that sambong can replace standard treatment for gout or persistent high uric acid.

Is sambong good for UTI?

Sambong has been studied for urinary stones and has diuretic properties, but it should not be presented as a proven replacement for medical treatment of a bacterial urinary tract infection.

What are the side effects of sambong?

Philippine healthcare references report adverse effects including epigastric pain and constipation. Flatulence has also been reported in health technology assessment material. The Philippine primary healthcare manual additionally lists elevation in ALT.

Can I drink sambong tea every day?

There is no single answer that applies to everyone. The concentration of homemade preparations can vary, and regular medicinal use may not be appropriate for people with certain health conditions or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Consider professional advice before using sambong regularly for a medical purpose.

How do you prepare sambong?

Sambong leaves are traditionally prepared as a tea or decoction. PITAHC publishes a traditional preparation method, but the appropriate use depends on the purpose and the person’s health status. For medicinal use, follow reliable official guidance rather than an unverified online recipe.

The Bottom Line

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) is an important Philippine medicinal plant with a long history of traditional use and a growing body of scientific research.

The strongest evidence is not that sambong is a universal cure. Its most important documented Philippine applications are its diuretic and anti-urolithiasis uses, with clinical research supporting a specific standardized sambong preparation for urinary tract stones.

Sambong is also traditionally used for other complaints, while laboratory and preclinical research continues to investigate antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other possible effects. Those findings are promising, but they should not be presented as established treatments without adequate human evidence.

The safest way to understand sambong is therefore to distinguish between traditional use, preclinical research, and clinical evidence. That distinction helps readers make better decisions and avoids the exaggerated health claims often associated with herbal remedies online.

For severe or persistent urinary symptoms, especially severe pain, fever, vomiting, blood in the urine, or difficulty urinating, seek medical care rather than relying on sambong alone.

Sources and Further Reading

• Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC). Directory of Herbs
• Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST). Sambong Tablet: Herbal Drug Formulation for Kidney Stones
• University of the Philippines Manila. Systematic Review on the Safety and Efficacy of Blumea balsamifera for Urinary Tract Stones
• Department of Health. Philippine National Formulary Manual for Primary Healthcare
• PubMed. Blumea balsamifera: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review
• PubMed. Phytochemical Composition and Health Properties of Sembung Plant (Blumea balsamifera): A Review
• PubMed. Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of the Blumea Genus: A Comprehensive Review
• Kew Science. Plants of the World Online: Blumea balsamifera
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment for Kidney Stones

Also Read: Benefits Of Avocado Leaves: A Natural Solution For Everyday Life

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