The Philippine government has issued a warning against the use of geckos as medicine, saying that the use of the lizards in folk medicine could have harmful consequences.

Geckos, climbing lizards common in tropical countries, are used as folk treatments for asthma, AIDS and other ailments in China and Southeast Asia. But the Philippine Department of Health on Friday said there is no evidence they provide any health benefits. What's more, the department warns, using geckos may mean patients do not use drugs that do work.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday also warned against capturing, killing or selling geckos. Doing so without proper permits could result in a prison sentence and a fine of about $7,000.

There are reports of a booming trade in geckos, with prices topping $1,000 for a 300-gram lizard.

The environment department says geckos are protected because they are needed to keep the ecological system in balance. The lizards, which are capable of climbing walls and trees, and make a high-pitched clicking sound, eat mosquitos and other pests.