Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 22 No. 12 (2021)

Ethnomedicinal documentation of polyherbal formulations and other folk medicines in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

Jayson Pucot (Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. Bonifacio Ave., Tibanga, Iligan City 9200, Philippines)
Cesar Demayo (Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. Bonifacio Ave., Tibanga, Iligan City 9200, Philippines)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Nov 2021

Abstract

Abstract. Pucot JR, Demayo CG. 2021. Ethnomedicinal documentation of polyherbal formulations and other folk medicines in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. Biodiversitas 22: 5331-5343. In Aurora-a rural municipality in western Mindanao, Philippines, wide patronization of folk medicines has been observed, and polyherbal formulations are one of the treatments used. However, knowledge of these formulations has not been documented, imposing a threat that might lead to its eventual loss. The lack of baseline information on these formulations also stagnates its development, and the danger of possible herb-herb interactions might remain high. Therefore, this study aims to compile polyherbal formulations and other folk medicine used by the healers and locals of Aurora and assess the utilization and knowledge of these indigenous practices with implications for its conservation and strengthening localized folk medicine pharmacovigilance. Through purposive and snowball sampling, a total of 23 key informants volunteered and were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Knowledge and practices about medicinal plants were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 34 polyherbal formulations and ten other folk medicines were recorded. Most of the plant species used belonged to the Poaceae family (14 species), Arecaceae, and Musaceae families (10 species each) and were mainly utilized for bughat, pasmo, and kabuhi-illnesses linked with cultural beliefs. The concept of synergism was also observed when it comes to folk medicine usage. It is recommended that more surveys of polyherbal medicines be conducted along with chemical profiling and pharmacological investigations, especially in the rural areas where these folk medicines are still widely utilized.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biodiv

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

The Biodiversitas Journal was first published in 2000 by the Department of Biology, FMNS, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia, then in 2006 it was co-published by the Society for Indonesian Biodiversity and that department; since 2017 it was also hosted by Smujo. From 2003-2012 it was ...