Pala’wans of Quezon and Sofronio Española, Palawan. Ethnomedical documentation of selected Philippine ethnolinguistic groups: the Pala’wans of Quezon and Sofronio Española, Palawan, Philippines. University of the Philippines Manila 1998.
Ethnomedical documentation of selected Philippine ethnolinguistic groups: the Pala’wans of Quezon and Sofronio Española, Palawan, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The study is an ethnomedical documentation of the Pala’wan people of Domadoway Mountain in the municipalities of Quezon and Sofronio Española in the province of Palawan conducted from August to November 1997 and April to May 1998. It aimed to document the plants and other natural products being used as medicinal agents by this cultural group, their beliefs and practices on health, disease and healing, give culturally acceptable education regarding identified major health problems in the areas, and assist in the advocacy to preserve the Pala’wan people’s ancestral homelands, as well as the biodiversity of the ecosystem.
Eleven sitios make up Domadoway Mountain but only four were covered due to time constraints. These were Sitios Katbagan, Pamuaran, Suked and Malangsi. Data collection was carried out by participant observation and interview using a set of guide questions for traditional healers, elders and family caregivers. A total of 31 key informants were interviewed: 4 traditional healers and 27 elders and caregivers.
The study was able to document 78 plants, 3 animal products, and three other natural products. They are used for a total of 47 indications, the most common being sakit it beteng (abdominal pain, often with diarrhea and vomiting) and sakit it ulo/agnaw (headache with chills).
The plant used for the most number of indications is kelilibon. It is used to treat sakit it ulo/agnaw, sakit it beteng, linog (dizziness), nosebleed and as pang urew (abortifacient).
The most frequently used plant parts are the leaves and roots, while the most common preparations are the decoction and poultice.
The duration of use is specified only for some plants. In most cases, plant preparations are used until the patient gets well.
Coordinates: Palawan: 9.0427952, 117.97176059999993 Quezon: 14.0313906, 122.11309089999997