ABSTRACT

De Paula, Val Tracy E., Barrameda, Joan L., Almero, Abegail E, and Pura,Jennylyn E. "PREPARATION AND UTILIZATION OF INDIGENOUS HERBS FOR TREATING COMMON ILLNESSES AMONG THE RESISDENTS OF BARANGAY PURO LEGAZPI CITY" (An Undergraduate Thesis, Aquinas University College of Health Sciences, Rawis, Legazpi City, SY 2014-2015)

The practice of alternative medicine in different cultures, beliefs, and traditions all throughout the world is a phenomenon since time immemorial. In the Philippines, the study of alternative medicine is inevitably a study of the origins of its people and the amalgam of cultural influences. The advantages of using alternative medicine are being recognized more and more today by healthcare professionals. One of the major advantages is the approach to whole body healing treatment of the underlying causes is to create a bridge between traditional and alternative healing practices and optimal healthcare delivery.

This study sought answers to the following questions: 1.) what are the indigenous herbs utilized by the respondents in treating common illnesses? 2.) What are the common illnesses treated by the indigenous herbs in terms of (a) Akapulco, (b)Amplaya (c)Bawang (d) Bayabas (e) Lagundi (f) Niyug-niyugan (g)Sambong (h) Tsaang Gubat (i) Ulasimang Bato WYerba Buena? 3.) What are the methods utilized in preparation of indigenous herbs for treating common illnesses? 4.) What are the problems encountered in the preparation and utilization of the indigenous herbs? 5.) What measures may be proposed to improve the utilization of indigenous herbs?

Based on the data gathered, the following are the significant findings of this study: On the indigenous herbs utilized by the respondents in treating common household illnesses; these are following are the most commonly used herbs ranked from first to last: Sambong with 61, Lagundi with 49, Akapulco with 41, Bayabas with 39, Ampalya and Yerba Buena with 36, Bawang with 35, Ulasimang Bato with 29, Tsaang Gubat with 27, and lastly Niyug-niyugan with 14. On the common household illnesses treated by the indigenous herbs, the
following are the findings of this study: Akapulco is used by 45 of the respondents as treatment for skin diseases; Amplaya is used by 17 as treatment for cough and colds, ten(10) for wounds, 32 for diabetes and eight(8) for skin disease; Bawang is used by one(1) of the respondents as treatment for fever, seven(7) for wounds and 45 for hypertension; Bayabas is used by 54 of the respondents as treatment for wounds;Lagundi is used by 68 of the respondents as treatment for cough and colds, seven(7) for body malaise and pain, one(l) for wounds, and two(2) for skin disease; Niyug-niyugan is used by eight(8) of the respondents as treatment for headache, six(6) for fever, three(3) for urinary tract infection and skin disease; Sambong is used by 20 of the respondents as treatment for headache, 33 for body malaise and pain, three(3) for fever, and four(4) for hypertension; Tsaang Gubat is used by 13 of the respondents as treatment for wounds and 12 for skin disease, Ulasimang Bato is used by 14 of the respondents as treatment for urinary tract infection, and, Yerba Buena is used by 13 of the respondents as treatment for cough and cold, nine(9) for headache, and six(6) for body malaise and pain.
On the methods of preparation used in treating common illnesses, the following are the findings of this study ranked from first to last: Boiling rank first as claimed by 61 of the total respondents, Extraction of juice or sap as claimed by 49, Rubbing claimed by, Dry up claimed by 39, Infusion claimed by 36, and, Pounding rank last as claimed by 35 of the total respondents. On the problems encountered by the respondent on the preparation of indigenous herbs as treatment for the common illnesses the following are the findings ranked from first to last: forgetting to drink concoction of the herbal remedy as claimed by 66 of the total respondents, the longer time consumed in preparing the herbs ranked second as claimed by 64 of the respondents. The inability to prepare medications religiously as a continuous medication process ranked third, as claimed by 61 respondents. Physical and dermatologic manifestations like rashes/urticaria/itching ranked fourth as claimed by 61 respondents. The lack of knowledge and skills on the preparation of herbal plants ranked 5th.

Unavailability of potable water and preparation equipment to create herbal medicine ranked 6th as claimed by 36 of the total respondents. Difficulty of breathing as a form of allergic reaction ranked 7th as claimed by 27 respondents. Under dosage of medication for illnesses ranked 8th as claimed by 25 of the total respondents. Wrong use of specific part of the plant and its method of preparation ranked 9th as claimed by 23 respondents. Wrong frequency of medication intake ranked 14th as claimed by 18 of the total respondents. While disease worsen or not healed is ranked last as claimed by respondents.

On measures proposed to improve the utilization of indigenous herbs, the following are the findings of this study ranked from first to last, incorporation of alternative herbs as a form of medication endorsed by healthcare providers in the community ranked first as claimed by 84 of the respondents, availability of visual materials and pictures of plants, their uses and methods of preparations in centers as claimed by 81, planting of medicinal plants within the community on fertile land areas for communal and consumerism claimed by 75, seminars for mothers and other members of the family who care for the sick in the family claimed by 59 of the respondents, trainings and seminars for BHW's to assist community in preparation of herbal medications as claimed by 48, encouragement to the community to seek assistance when in need of herbal medicine as claimed by 27 of the respondents, and, lastly, provide information and be alert for signs and symptoms of toxicity, allergy and worsening symptoms of people using herbal medicine for proper medical attention as claimed by 20 of the total respondents. With the above findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were made: The respondents should continually and habitually cultivate and plant indigenous herbs, which may be done in their own backyard and/ or in a convenient location within the premises of their household. Local health authorities are enjoined to conduct massive information campaign among communities regarding the medicinal properties of indigenous herbs, as well as, its proper preparation and utilization in the treatment of common household illnesses. Conversely, the respondents are enjoined to support such campaign by local health authorities and/ or exercise their own initiative and diligence in acquiring necessary knowledge regarding the proper preparation and utilization of the herbs. Further research in the same vein of this study should be conducted in the future so as to shed more light on whatever gap or grey areas left by this study.