UTILIZATION
DOCUMENTATION OF
MEDICINAL PLANTS BY
HEALTH PRACTITIONERS
OF ALBAY
PROVINCE,PHILIPPINESJEAN ANNETTE S. IBO
College of Nursing
Bicol University
Legazpi City
Philippines
Problem Area/Need of Research
1992 Philippine Department of Health
advocated the use of the 10
scientifically validated medicinal
plants
R.A. No. 8423 –Traditional and
Alternative Medicine Act
Problem Area/Need of Research
Barangay Health Workers are among
the frontline health practitioners.
Barangay Health Workers must provide
information, education and motivation
services for primary health care (R.A.
7883)
Problem Area/Need of Research
Insights on the BHWs’ utilization of
medicinal plants can generate
information needed to improve
community practice to manage own
health using localize indigenous
resources.
INPUTS/EFFORTS/METHODOLOGY
Descriptive research
Selected Barangays –upland,
coastal and mainland
Barangay Health Workers –respondents
Community Visit/ Interview
INPUTS/EFFORTS/METHODOLOGY
No. of BHW utilizing medicinal plants for managing ailments
Source of Information regarding the use of medicinal plants
Advocacy
Health Workers Practices –Plants used, Preparation and Administration
INPUTS/EFFORTS/METHODOLOGY
Picture and Samples of medicinal
plants
Frequency, percentage and ranking
OUTPUTS
96.96% of the BHWS utilized medicinal
plants to manage ailments.
Transfer of knowledge of the practice
was accounted to parents.
18.33% of BHWs claimed adequate
knowledge of DOH’s recommended
medicinal plants
OUTPUTS
The use of medicinal plants
was advocated to the
households.
56 medicinal plants were
utilized and claimed effective
OUTPUTS Top Ten Commonly Used:
1. Blumea balsamifera (sambong)
2. Vitex negundo (lagundi)
3. Coleus aromaticus (Oregano)
4. Artamisa vulgaris (Artamisa)
5. Psidium guajava (Bayabas)
6. Cordia dichotoma Frost (Anonang)
7. Moringa oleifera (malunggay)
8. Piper bettle L. (buyo)
9. Jatrepha curcus Linn (Tuba)
10. Ocimum basilicum L. (balanoy)
TOP TEN MEDICINAL PLANTS
1. Blumea balsamifera (sambong)- relieve stomachache; high blood: colds,
fever, gas pain, heartburn, diuretic, normalize menstrual flow;
TOP TEN MEDICINAL PLANTS
4. Artamisa vulgaris (Artamisa)-headache, wound, gas pain, prevent post partum genital infection, cough, heartburn
TOP TEN MEDICINAL PLANTS
7. Moringa oleifera (malunggay)-wound, heartburn, arthritis, high blood, itchiness
TOP TEN MEDICINAL PLANTS
9. Jatrepha curcus Linn (Tuba)-stomache; sprain (pilay); hernia; swollen area, colic, constipation stomache
TOP TEN MEDICINAL PLANTS
10. Ocimum basilicum L. (balanoy) - stomachache; dizziness; to stimulate labor
Common Methods of Preparation/
Administration of Medicinal Plants
Poultice – plant parts are crushed by hands and
applied to affected body parts.
Decoction – plant parts are boiled in water
Infusion – plant parts are soaked in hot or cold
water
Ways Forward
The health practitioners utilized 56 locally available medicinal plants and advocate its used in the management of common ailments in the community.
The practices are folkloric in nature.
It is deemed essential that the Local Government Unit- Local Health Offices looks into the need for capacitating the BHWs with adequate knowledge and skills regarding the use of medicinal plants in the community.
Ways Forward
Philippine Council for Health and Research
Development and Department of Science and
Technology to continue to conduct validation of
effectiveness of the other medicinal plants used
by the BHWS
Recommended