Communities in Samar Island Natural Park, Samar Island. Documentation of Philippine traditional knowledge and practices in health: the people of Samar Island Natural Park, Samar Island. University of the Philippines 2012.
Documentation of Philippine traditional knowledge and practices in health: the people of Samar Island Natural Park, Samar Island
ABSTRACT
An ethnopharmacological study of the communities within Samar Island Natural Park was conducted from August 2011 to February 2012. The knowledge was shared by 28 healers and 174 community members. The study covers the documentation of the traditional health knowledge and practices of eight communities representing the eight major watershed areas in the natural park.
The said communities were: Barangay Guirang, Basey in Basey Watershed; Barangay Balagon, Canavid in Canavid Watershed; Barangay San Isidro, Las Navas in Catubig Watershed; Barangay San Vicente, Dolores in Dolores Watershed; Barangay Hiduroma, San Jose de Buan in Gandara Watershed; Barangay Pinamorotan, Calbayog City in Pambujan Watershed; Barangay Burak, Llorente in Suribao Watershed, and Barangay Bagacay, Hinabangan in Taft Watershed.
273 plants and 12 animal products were documented to be used for more than 130 indications recognized by the eight communities. Documentation included the local names of plants and animals, therapeutic indications, plant or animal parts used, method of preparation, direction for use, precautionary measures, source of information, and other significant data. The plants were identified by their scientific names, where applicable.
A total of 178 different medicinal plants were brought to Manila for plant identification.
Many of the people already prefer to consult doctors in the hospital or municipal health units, but traditional healing practices still remain. Community members still rely on traditional healers especially in financially difficult times and during cases of illnesses which cannot be cured by conventional medicine.
Healers have also adapted to the changes brought about by mass media and interaction with different groups. Aside from the knowledge passed on to them by their elders, the peoples’ utilization of the resources available in the forest or around their barangay are already based on information obtained from health workers, religious groups, revolutionary forces, government and nongovernment organizations, and television or radio. Some healers’ treatments now combine medicinal plants with orasyon (Latin prayers), western medicine, and herbal supplements. Others refer to books and pamphlets on medicinal plants.
The health practices of the communities may evolve but what will not change is the communities’ reliance on their natural environment. However, the community must do their part in conserving the natural resources of Samar Island Natural Park. This ethnopharmacological study shows the richness of the people’s surroundings and also their wealth of knowledge. It is crucial to take steps in guiding the communities, especially the youth, to value and protect their environment that they greatly rely on.
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