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MEDICINAL PLANTS AND OTHER FORMS OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE USED BY THE RESIDENTS OF DASMA 3 GOLDEN CITY, BARANGAY SALAWAG DASMARIÑAS CITY, CAVITE
1. MEDICINAL PLANTS AND OTHER FORMS OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
USED BY THE RESIDENTS OF DASMA 3 GOLDEN CITY, BARANGAY SALAWAG
DASMARIÑAS CITY, CAVITE
NOREEN A. ATRILLANO
MARY CHRIS S. CIPRIANO
Bachelor of Science in Biology Major in Medical Biology
De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
ABSTRACT
In the Philippines, plants play significant roles in the lives of early Filipinos since some plants were
already used as medicines as far back as the beginning of mankind. However, this generation gradually loses the
knowledge of traditional uses and importance of the medicinal plants. This study aims to document the
medicinal plants and other forms of traditional medicine commonly used by the residents of Dasma 3 Golden
City, Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, in order to expand the awareness of people about the
essential roles of herbal medicine. The researchers conducted a survey to twenty (20) residents of Dasma 3
through house-to-house interview. Informations were gained from eight (8) male respondents and twelve (12)
female respondents, by which nine (9) out of the total respondents were aged from 15-30 years old, four (4)
were aged from 31-50 years old, and seven (7) were aged 51 years old and above. The researchers were able to
identify thirty-nine (39) medicinal plants used by the residents namely: Oregano, Malunggay, Guayabano,
Sambong, Bayabas, Lagundi, Ampalaya, Tanglad, Banaba, Bawang, Luya, Damong maria, Kugon, Niyog,
Orange, Pandan, Pinya, Sabila, Tawa-tawa, Ashitaba, Avocado, Bignay, Chichirika, Duhat, Ginseng,
Gumamela, Ikmo, Kaimito, Katakataka, Kintsay, Lemon, Mangosteen, Mansanas, Mayana, Pansit-pansitan,
Siling labuyo, Tuba, Tuba-tuba and Yerba Buena. Most plants in the community are used to treat common
diseases such as cough, hypertension, kidney problems, cancer, diarrhea, wounds, arthritis, rheumatism, and
fever. Majority of the respondents prepare plant parts through infusion. The residents believe that the plants
have no harmful chemicals, proven effective and readily available within the community and so therefore, they
are using medicinal plants. However, many are still using commercially prepared products due to the fact that
they are intentionally compressed and more convenient to carry anywhere. Subsequently, most of the
respondents (13) used other forms and the majority was massage done personally, followed by massage done by
manghihilot, tawas done by mangtatawas, albularyo, and acupuncture, respectively. Their purpose is to
alleviate pain and is recommended to them. This study may lead to the discovery of new herbal remedies that is
cost effective, and maybe helpful especially to people in poor communities who are less fortunate.
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study:
Plants are the basis of life on earth and are
fundamental to people's livelihoods. Herbs and
other plants are used as medicines as far back as the
beginning of mankind. Practically, every culture on
earth has developed an herbal tradition. Out of the
estimated 250,000 to 350,000 plant species
identified so far, about 35,000 are used worldwide
for medicine purposes. It has been confirmed by the
World Health Organization (WHO) that herbal
medicines provide the health needs of about 80% of
the world’s population, especially for millions of
people in the vast rural areas of developing
countries.
In 2001, researchers identified 122
compounds used in conventional medicine which
were derived from “ethnobotanical.” 80% of the
phytochemical components of plants were used in
the same or related manner as the traditional
medicinal use. In 2004, the National Center for
Complimentary and Alternative Medicine started to
fund the clinical trials into the effectiveness of herbs
and other plants as medicine.
According to the World Health Organization
(2001), traditional medicines are the sum total of
2. the knowledge, skills, and practices based on
theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to
different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in
the maintenance of health as well as in the
prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of
physical and mental illness. It is a source of
knowledge about natural remedies that are effective
and are based on natural products that are important
for discovering and isolating new modern
medicines.
Herbal medicine is defined as the use of
natural herbs from plants for the treatment or
prevention of diseases, disorders and the promotion
of good health. Curative effects of many plants have
now been successfully proven. More than 25% of
our modern drugs contain plant extracts as active
ingredients. These days, herbal preparations can be
found in stores everywhere, even in sidewalks
prepared in a variety of forms, such as capsules,
tablets, powder or creams. This is one reason for the
renewed interest in herbal plants that are seeing
today.
The use of medicinal plants or herbs has
been gaining popularity these past few years in the
Philippines which is based upon an estimated 1,500
plants growing throughout the Philippines and
known for their medicinal qualities. However, other
forms of Philippine traditional medicine have been
influenced by religion, mysticism, or massage
therapist to promote health and healing. These may
be a mix of Western herbal tradition (e.g. healing
power of nature), Ayurveda tradition of India (e.g.
yoga, amulets, gems, meditation), and/or Chinese
herbal medicine (e.g. acupuncture, massage, herbal
supplements). Evidently, it is most popular among
indigenous Filipinos. Traditional healers, elders,
and the villagers are the important sources of
information about plants in ethnobotany.
Statement of the Problem:
1. What are the common medicinal plants and
in what illnesses are these plants usually
used by the residents of Dasma 3, Golden
City, Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City,
Cavite?
2. What is the significance of the medicinal
plants in the daily living of the residents in
Dasma 3, Golden City, Barangay Salawag,
Dasmariñas City, Cavite?
Significance of the Study:
This research provides wider perspective on
the medicinal plants commonly used by the
residents of Dasma 3, Golden City, Barangay
Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite. This may help
increase people’s awareness on medicinal plants
that are still available today and might help in their
daily living. This study may provide the importance
of medicinal plants that are of low cost and easy
access especially on the rural area or community
that cannot afford to buy commercially prepared
medicines. This study also enlists different
procedures or modes of preparation on how a plant
is properly prepared as medicine to be able to gain
its affectivity. By the proliferation of this research,
use of medicinal plants as alternative medicine
would be supported by scientific bases that would
change people’s perspectives on using alternative
medicines such as herbal plants.
General Objective/Goal:
It is the aim of this research to study the
medicinal plants and other forms of traditional
medicine commonly used by the residents of Dasma
3 Golden City, Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas
City, Cavite, in order to identify and to document
the importance of plants and other forms of
traditional medicine in medical and ethnobotanical
aspects.
Specific Objectives:
1. To identify the common medicinal plants
used by the residents of Dasma 3 Golden
City, Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City,
Cavite as to the following: (a) Medicinal
treatment; (b) Methods of preparation; (c)
Frequency of usage.
2. To determine the common reasons why
people still using medicinal plants.
3. To compare the plants’ traditional medicinal
benefits with that of the benefits of
commercially prepared herbal
medicines/supplements.
4. To identify other forms of traditional
medicine used by the residents of Dasma 3
Golden City, Barangay Salawag,
Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
3. METHODOLOGY
The research design used is a Descriptive
Study. The method was utilized to identify,
determine, and document the common medicinal
plants and other forms of traditional medicine used
by the residents of Dasma 3 Golden City, Barangay
Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
The study was conducted to the residents of
Dasma 3 Golden City, Barangay Salawag,
Dasmariñas City, Cavite. Golden City is located
between Molino and Paliparan road, composed of
four (4) subdivisions namely Dasma 1, Dasma 2,
Dasma 3 and Dasma 4, under the supervision of
Barangay Salawag. This community was once a
rural area of Cavite but considered to be a city as of
2011.
Respondents were selected randomly within
the area. They should have at least enough
knowledge about medicinal plants and have been
tried using plants as medicine. The respondents
were twenty (20) residents of different households
living at Dasma 3. A participant may represent the
experience of the whole family. Age vary from
young adults to elders.
This study used simple random sampling to
select respondents who are willing to be
interviewed and to take part in this research with
enough knowledge about medicinal plants and other
forms of traditional medicine.
Both researchers have their task assignments
(done vice versa): who will be the one to interview,
and the person in-charge for taking down notes and
their answers like in cases of elders who were not
capable of writing for some reasons. Every member
helped and supported one another while conducting
the house-to-house survey interview. As expected,
some residents were not willing to participate. The
most important task of being a researcher is to
establish good relationship with the respondents. It
was not that simple to easily get information from
the residents without trust to one another.
Research tools utilized include survey/guide
questionnaires which was administered to selected
sample from the specific population. A camera was
used to capture and to document the twenty (20)
respondents who participate in this research and
serve as proof for conducting the interviews.
At the end of the survey, the researchers
accomplished the needed number of households and
the results was then tallied and analyzed further.
The parts of the research paper were also divided
equally to each member of the group. After all the
information were gathered, analysis was achieved
through the description and interpretation of the
medicinal plants that are commonly used in the
family, the specific diseases that are treated by the
said medicinal plants, their methods of preparation,
frequency of usage, and comparing plants’
traditional medicinal benefits with that of the
benefits of commercially prepared herbal
medicines/supplements. It is also to study the
popularity of other forms of traditional medicine
(such as acupuncture, albularyo, massage/hilot,
tawas, etc.) to the residents of Dasma 3 Golden
City, Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1 illustrates the common medicinal
plants used by the residents of Dasma 3 Golden
City, Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
A total of thirty-nine (39) plant species are listed.
However, only the top ten (10) medicinal plants will
be discussed thoroughly. The plant which got the
highest number of mentions is Oregano (Origanum
vulgare), followed by Malunggay (Moringa
oleifera), Guayabano (Annona muricata), Sambong
(Blumea balsamifera), Bayabas (Psidium guajava),
Lagundi (Vitex negundo), Ampalaya (Momordica
charantia), Tanglad (Cymbopogon citrates), Banaba
(Lagerstroemia speciosa), and Bawang (Allium
sativum), respectively.
Table 2 illustrates the indications, and Table
3 illustrates the preparations and frequency of usage
of the thirty-nine (39) medicinal plants that have
been mentioned.
Table 2
Common Name Indications
1 Oregano Cough, asthma, cancer ,
colds
2 Malunggay Wounds, gout, antioxidant,
cough, cancer, hypertension,
diarrhea
3 Guayabano Diabetes, cancer, arthritis,
4. rheumatism, wounds,
dizziness, diarrhea
4 Sambong Kidney stones, urinary
problems, lamig, cough,
fever, gall stones, cleansing
5 Bayabas Wounds, diarrhea, post-natal
bath, diarrhea, nausea,
cancer, hypertension,
abrasions, dizziness
6 Lagundi Cough, colds, diabetes,
asthma
7 Ampalaya Cough, hypertension, expel
phlegm
8 Tanglad Hypertension, cancer
9 Banaba U.T.I., kidney problems
10 Bawang Cancer, hypertension
11 Luya Urinary problems, lamig,
various veins, pasma, goiter,
heart problems, cancer,
hypertension
12 Damong maria Fever, dyspepsia
13 Kugon Urinary problems, lamig,
fever
14 Niyog Cancer, hypertension
15 Orange Colds, antibiotics
16 Pandan Cancer, rheumatism,
arthritis, pain
17 Pinya Cancer, hypertension
18 Sabila Wounds, burn
19 Tawa-tawa Cancer, hypertension
20 Ashitaba Constipation, glucose
stability, hpertension
21 Avocado Diarrhea
22 Bignay Arthritis, rheumatism, heart
problems
23 Chichirika Cancer (breast), cough
24 Duhat Diarrhea
25 Ginseng Cancer, cough, hypertension
26 Gumamela Boil, dyspepsia
27 Ikmo Sprained legs
28 Kaimito diarrhea
29 Katakataka Cysts (bukol), earache
30 Kintsay Cholesterol, cleansing,
hypertension
31 Lemon Cancer, hypertension
32 Mangosteen Kidney problems, diabetes
33 Mansanas Diarrhea, cancer,
hypertension
34 Mayana Boils, cysts
35 Pansit-pansitan Rheumatism, arthritis, pain
36 Siling labuyo hypertension
37 Tuba Dislocated bones
38 Tuba-tuba pilay
39 Yerba buena Dyspepsia
Table 3
Common
Name
Preparations Frequency of Usage
Oregano Pounded,
extract, steam
2-3x a day (when
sick), occasionally,
(sapaw), boiled,
juice
every morning when
sick
Malunggay Infusion, side
dish, pounded,
put in
wounds/plaster,
extract, juice,
boiled
3x a week,
occasionally,
everyday
Guayabano Infusion, tea,
decoction,
extract, boiled
occasionally, when
sick, everyday
Sambong Infusion, tea,
extract, boiling
Everyday,
occasionally, 3x a
day
Bayabas Infusion, tea,
boiled
occasionally,
everyday, 2-3x a day
Lagundi Infusion, tea,
boiling, juice,
pressing
2-3x a day (when
sick), occasionally
Ampalaya Extract,
infusion,
boiled,
pounded, juice
3x a day,
occasionally
(morning)
Tanglad Infusion, tea,
boiled
3x a day, everyday,
occasionally
Banaba Decoction,
Infusion, tea
2-3x a day (when
sick), occasionally,
everyday
Bawang juice occasionally
Luya Infusion, tea,
decoction
Occasionally, 1x a
day
Damong maria Poultice,
chopped plaster
Occasionally, 3x a
day
Kugon Infusion, tea occasionally
Niyog boiled occasionally
Orange Eaten raw occasionally
Pandan Infusion, tea When sick, everyday
Pinya Shake/juice occasionally
Sabila Extract, plaster occasionally
Tawa-tawa Infusion, tea,
boiled
Occasionally,
everyday
Ashitaba Eaten raw occasionally
Avocado Eaten raw occasionally
Bignay Infusion, tea occasionally
Chichirika Decoction everyday
Duhat Infusion Everyday,
occasionally
Ginseng Boiled occasionally
Gumamela Extract occasionally
Ikmo Poultice, plaster occasionally
Kaimito Eaten raw Occasionally, 3x a
day
Katakataka Heated and
dropped into
the ear
occasionally
Kintsay Extract, juice Everyday, 1x a day
Lemon Boiled(leaves) everyday
Mangosteen Eaten raw 2x a day
Mansanas Infusion, tea When sick
Mayana Poultice, plaster occasionally
Pansit-pansitan Eaten raw occasionally
5. Siling labuyo Associated with
dish
everyday
Tuba Infusion, tea Occasionally,
everyday
Tuba-tuba plaster 3x a day
Yerba buena Chopped
plaster
occasionally
Based on table 2, we can also determine that
most plants in the community are used to manage
the common chief complaints or mostly occurring
ailments encountered by Filipinos, such as cough,
hypertension, kidney problems, cancer, diarrhea,
wounds, arthritis, rheumatism, and fever.
Based on table 3, majority of the
respondents prepare plant parts through infusion
wherein the lighter portions (such as leaves,
flowers, lighter stems) of the plants are being boiled
for a short period of time. Mostly, they make it into
tea. Some other methods are through extraction of
the leaves, juice as product, decoction of the barks
or roots and could be eaten raw since some of the
plants given were fruits. (Common methods in
preparing medicinal plants are illustrated in
Diagram 1)
As to what we have surveyed, the residents
in Dasma 3 prefer medicinal plants due to practical
reason of medicinal plants being more affordable
than synthetic drugs. Moreover, they also responded
that they use plants because they believed that they
have no harmful chemicals. Meanwhile, the vicinity
is abundant with herbal plants therefore, it is readily
available and they prefer it over commercially
prepared herbal medicines/supplements due to its
evident effectiveness. (Common reasons of using
medicinal plants are illustrated in Diagram 2)
On the contrary, we asked if the respondents
are using commercially prepared herbal
medicines/supplements. The result shows that the
majority are still using herbal drugs. Most
respondents recommend commercially prepared
products due to the fact that they are intentionally
compressed into capsules, tablets, syrup bottles or
in the form of lotions, sprays, shampoos, soaps,
ointments, inhalers, etc. to ease the dilemma or
worry of carrying drugs while travelling.
Furthermore, the other reason why is because most
of the herbal plants are home-based cures and takes
time to prepare. (Illustrated in Diagram 3 and 4)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Diagram 1. Methods of Preparation
16%
14%
12%
12%
12%
9%
5%
5%
2%
2% 2%
2%
2% 2% 2%
Diagram 2. Reasons of using medicinal
plants
affordable no harmful chemicals
effective available
good for health no side effect
superstitial belief first aid
recommended by others popular back then
recommended by doctors organic
tolerance natural
alternative
6. 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Yes No
Diagram 5. Are they using other forms
of traditional medicine?
Yes
No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
acupuncture
albularyo
massage (hilot)
personal massage
tawas
others
Diagram 6. Other forms of traditional
medicines
Lastly, other forms of traditional medicine
(such as acupuncture, yoga, massage, etc.) are also
being studied among the residents of Dasma 3
Golden City, Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City,
Cavite. Based on the result, only few respondents
(7) refused to try other traditional medicine. Thus,
most respondents have already experienced other
forms of traditional medicine aside from using
herbal plants traditionally. Other forms could be
done by either faith healers or modern therapists.
Most of the respondents (13) have experienced
massage done personally, followed by massage
done by manghihilot, next one was tawas done by
mangtatawas, albularyo, and then acupuncture.
(Illustrated in Diagram 5, 6 and 7)
20%
15%
10%
10%
10%
10%
5%
5%
5%
5%
Diagram 3. Reasons of using commercially
prepared herbal medicines
more effective easy to carry
instant recommended
no side effects less time of preparation
no available plants experience
inexpensive additional supplement
15%
10%
5%
5%
Diagram 4. Reasons of not using
commercially prepared herbal medicines
not natural
expensive
recommended by doctors
additional supplements
8. Diagram 7
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
superstitious belief
no option
recommended
belief of others
first aid
pain reliever
after pregnancy
effective
relaxation
home based product
cultural belief
wala lang'
Reasons of doing traditional medicine
Series 1
9. SUMMARY
The common medicinal plants used by the
residents of Dasma 3 Golden City, Barangay
Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite. A total of thirty-
nine (39) plant species are listed. However, only the
top ten (10) medicinal plants will be discussed
thoroughly. The plant which got the highest number
of mentions is Oregano (Origanum vulgare),
followed by Malunggay (Moringa oleifera),
Guayabano (Annona muricata), Sambong (Blumea
balsamifera), Bayabas (Psidium guajava), Lagundi
(Vitex negundo), Ampalaya (Momordica charantia),
Tanglad (Cymbopogon citrates), Banaba
(Lagerstroemia speciosa), and Bawang (Allium
sativum), respectively.
CONCLUSION
This study used a descriptive approach to
document the common medicinal plants and other
forms of traditional medicine used by the residents
of Dasma 3 Golden City, Barangay Salawag,
Dasmariñas City, Cavite. Informations were gained
from eight (8) male respondents and twelve (12)
female respondents, by which nine (9) out of the
total respondents were aged from 15-30 years old,
four (4) were aged from 31-50 years old, and seven
(7) were aged 51 years old and above.
After spending one day in the community,
the researcher was able to identify thirty-nine (39)
medicinal plants used by the residents namely:
Oregano, Malunggay, Guayabano, Sambong,
Bayabas, Lagundi, Ampalaya, Tanglad, Banaba,
Bawang, Luya, Damong maria, Kugon, Niyog,
Orange, Pandan, Pinya, Sabila, Tawa-tawa,
Ashitaba, Avocado, Bignay, Chichirika, Duhat,
Ginseng, Gumamela, Ikmo, Kaimito, Katakataka,
Kintsay, Lemon, Mangosteen, Mansanas, Mayana,
Pansit-pansitan, Siling labuyo, Tuba, Tuba-tuba and
Yerba Buena. Their indications, preparations,
frequency of usage and reason/s of using medicinal
plants were also discussed.
Based on the results, most plants in the
community are used to treat common diseases or
mostly occurring ailments in the Philippines such as
cough, hypertension, kidney problems, cancer,
diarrhea, wounds, arthritis, rheumatism, and fever.
Majority of the respondents prepare plant
parts through infusion, tea, extraction of the leaves,
juice as product, decoction of the barks or roots
and/or could be eaten raw since some of the plants
given were fruits.
The residents choose medicinal plants due to
practical reason. They are more affordable than
synthetic drugs. However, mostly, they are still
using herbal drugs. Most respondents recommend
commercially prepared products due to the fact that
they are intentionally compressed and more
convenient to carry anywhere.
Furthermore, other forms of traditional
medicine were also documented. Results show that
most of the respondents (13 out of 20) used other
forms and the majority was massage done
personally, followed by massage done by
manghihilot, tawas done by mangtatawas,
albularyo, and acupuncture. Only seven (7)
respondents answered no or they were not using
other forms of traditional medicine aside from
herbal plants and synthetic drugs.
Lastly, other forms of traditional medicine
(such as acupuncture, yoga, massage, etc.) are also
being studied among the residents of Dasma 3
Golden City, Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City,
Cavite. Based on the result, only few respondents
(13) refused to try other traditional medicine. Thus,
most respondents have already experienced other
forms of traditional medicine aside from using
herbal plants traditionally. Other forms could be
done by either faith healers or modern therapists.
Most of the respondents (6) have experienced
massage done personally, followed by massage
done by manghihilot, next one was tawas done by
mangtatawas, albularyo, and then acupuncture
RECOMMENDATION
The researchers would recommend the
future set of researchers to prepare all the necessary
things needed before conducting the survey. If the
place is familiar, carefully examine the vicinity and
prioritize everyone’s safety. Stay polite at all times.
Introduce yourselves first and tell them the purpose
of the study you’re doing. Ask for consent before
conducting survey on a respondent. Always respect