Ethnomedicinal Resources of the Indigenous People’s (IP) Groups in the SOCSARGEN Region

Abstract

An ethnomedicinal study was conducted to document the medicinal plants used, the manner of preparation and application in the treatment of ailments and the consensus in the use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments among four (4) indigenous people's groups, the Obo in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, T'boli in Maitum, Sarangani Province, and Blaan and Tagakaolo in General Santos City. The ethnobotanical interview was conducted using open-ended semi-structured questionnaires among identified traditional healers and elders as well as the household in the community. A total of 136 plants species, mostly herbs (47%), have been recorded with the corresponding conditions or illnesses in which they are believed to exert a therapeutic effect. Plant parts utilized for traditional medicine of the 4 IP groups include leaves (38%), roots (25%) and bark/stem (16%). Decoction (54%) and direct consumption (27%) applied via oral route are the common traditional medicine preparation. The IP communities in the SOCSARGEN Region have a rich pharmacopeia of traditional medicinal plants that persist through time despite the availability and convenience offered by modern medicine.

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