Curing common illnesses with indigenous plants

The Aetas of Zambales have long used indigenous forest plants for food, clothing, construction, health and healing.

Dr. Edwin Fernando of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, College of Forestry, documented the different indigenous forest plants used by the Aetas to cure some common illnesses. His project was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

It has been reported that the Aetas use several methods of plant preparation for medicine such us infusion (aquaeous preparation of plant parts which are broken into small pieces in either cold or hot water); decoction (aqueous preparation of plants parts boiled with water for 15 minutes); sudorification (preparation of plant parts usually heated or smoked for the heat/smoke to be inhaled); and poultice (preparation of plant parts usually heated, spread in a cloth and applied to sore or injury).

Sap, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, and young shoots of 56 plant species are used by Aetas for medicinal purposes.

The Aetas believe that these plants with medicinal values are all naturally growing in the forest, and that the best time to gather them is on Good Friday. They also believe that with these trees and medicinal plants being abundant, except in some cases, there is no need to plant them.

Some of the medicinal plants used by the Aetas and the corresponding ailment/disorder for which they have known cure are listed below.

• sap of pandakaki (Ervatamia sp.) for wounds and boil

• juice from the leaves of kalibotbot (Ervatamia mucronata) for wounds and boil

• juice from lutok (Chromolaena odorata) for wounds

• leaves of antipolo (Artocarpus blancoi) (burned and the ashes mixed with oil) for skin disease or "galis".

• leaves of narra (Pterocarpus indicus) for measles and chicken pox

• fruits of malayamis baging (Quisqualis indica) for deworming.

• infusion of the roots of tikla (Tectona grandis) for dysmenorrhea and menstrual disorders

• extract of makabuhay (Tinospora reticulata) (mixed with oil and applied to the affected parts of the body) for rheumatism or bone fracture

• root extracts of silbak (Alpinia elegans) for rheumatism.

The Aetas also decoct the following plant parts and use them for certain illnesses and disorders.

• roots of laylu (Anaxagorea luzoniensis) for ulcer

• bark of dirita (Alstonia scholaris) for malaria and fever

• leaves of buho (Schizostachyum lumampao) for colds.

• bark of anyatan (Cleistanthus blancoi) for stomachache,

• roots of malagayamanan (Photodium lobbiamum) (gargled) for tootchache.

• roots of yabut (Imperata cylindrica) for kidney disorder

• fruits and bark of banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) for kidney disorder

• leaves of kulantro-kulantruhan (Sida rhombifolia) (taken internally thrice a day) for measles.

• bark of hakbat (Archangelisia flava) for menstrual cramps.

With these variety of plants being used by the Aetas for common illnesses, further study on their chemical components and efficacy is needed to be able to use them to the fullest. – Leila C. America, S&t Media Service