More than 100 plant species in Ilocos Norte endangered

Conclusion

Balayang, a kind of banana, has several uses. People in Batac and Laoag City love to pickle the fruits, and they would even buy picked balayang. Elderly people spread on the forehead balayang leaves that have not yet opened to treat fever, and a moist mass of its stem is used to treat wound.

The juice of bignay berries reportedly helps in the reduction of blood pressure and cholesterol level.

According to coastal residents, the softwood of antipolo could withstand continuous soaking. Thus, it is an excellent material for the main body of bancas.

Aside from the aesthetic value of vanishing ornamental plants, some of them also have special uses. Marigold, for example, is known as an insect repellant. Katakataka leaves, pounded and mixed with a small amount of salt, may be applied on the lower portion of the abdomen for relief from dysuria (difficult discharge of urine), on sprains and burns, and as poultice (moist mass) on eczema, boils and other skin infections. Leaves of katakataka heated over a fire may be applied on wounds and bruises, while slightly crush fresh leaves could be used as an agent to sooth a swollen face due to a tooth problem.

Used for treating athletes’ foot, the bark of native calachuchi is chopped, soaked in oil and the resulting oil is applied on the foot. In contrast, a decoction of rosal flowers is used for inducing menstruation, while a decoction of its used to treat urinary problem, intermittent fever, dysentery, and abdominal pains. A decoction of its roots reportedly treats dyspepsia or impaired digestion.

Old Ilocos Norte folks also claim that crushed sampaguita leaves and flowers can treat swelling of the breast. Its roots are used as external poultice of treating sprains and fractures.

Other plants with known medicinal value that are also in the endangered list is disol and prayer beads of bugbugayyong. A decoction of disol is claimed to treat stomach ache, bloated stomach, and body itch. It is also an expectorant, diuretic and stimulant, and is used for treating dyspepsia, headache, malaria, wounds and gastric complaints. Fresh extract of the disol rhizome is used for cleansing newborn babies. Disol rhizome mixed in oil is said to enhance the formation of scar tissue and heals wounds. When the rhizomes are roasted, these are applied on rheumatic joints. Likewise, the rhizomes are used to prevent dandruff. Powdered disol rhizome also prevents the swelling of wounds sand bruises.

Other plant species that are now in the endangered list are samac (Macaranga tanarius), anis (Foeniculum vulgare), ballang, tigue, maguey, lipai (Entadaphaseoloides), arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea), and indigo (Indigofera tinctoria).

The bark and leaves of samac is used in the fermentation of basi and vinegar because it increases the surface area for the process. On the other hand, the leaves of ballang, a sedge, are used for making hats and mats. In the old days, the vine of lipai was used as shampoo or gugo.

It‘s a race against time, the MMSU researchers said. The only alternative left to avert complete extinction is to collect planting materials of these species and multiply them, they added. And this is the only way to keep them visible in the culture of Ilocanos.