Lacdan NF, Limpin J, Balubal RL, Navarro RE. Ethnopharmacologic documentation of selected Philippine ethnolinguistic groups: The Mangyan (Alangan) people of Mindoro Island. University of the Philippines Manila 2001.
Ethnopharmacologic documentation of selected Philippine ethnolinguistic groups: The Mangyan (Alangan) people of Mindoro Island
ABSTRACT
The research study is a component project of the UP Manila Complementary and Traditional Medicine Program. It focussed primarily on the documentation of the plants being used as medicinal agents by the Mindoro (Alangan) people. Documentation and a supplementary research work related to the medicinal plants utilized by the Alangan people were undertaken. Out of the seven barangays (four in Sta. Cruz and three in Sablayan municipalities) being occupied by the Alangan tribe, five communities in Sta. Cruz were selected based on a set of criteria ( i.e. the community has to be at or near a forested area; has a reputation for indigenous medical practices; and has a homogenous culture).
Forty two plants were surveyed. The local names, scientifc names, taxonomic classification, therapeutic uses and process of preparation of these plants for medicinal purposes were noted. Most of the plants surveyed and identified were found to be associated in the cure of microbe-causing diseases (the most common ailments prevalent among the Mangyans). The project conducted a follow up research (in the laboratory) by undertaking phytochemical screening and cytotoxicity test (brine shriimp lethality test) of eighteen selected plants included in the survey. Results showed that various bioactive substances were present in these plants. Each of the individual plants also had significant cytotoxic activity. Plants with the highest cytotoxity activity were those substances taken from “matigba,” “sibukaw,” “polyo,” “niyug niyugan,” and “ gita.” Information related to socio-economic, political and cultural aspects of the Alngan people were also gathered.
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