Ethnobotanical study of the healing practices of the Aeta of Quezon Province [Philippines]

The study examined the notions of illness and healing among the three Aeta groups in Brgy. Tungko, Tayabas, Brgy. Villa Espina, Lopez and Brgy. Bacong in Alabat island, all in Quezon Province. Aside from looking into the Aeta practices involving sickness and healing, the study identified the indigenous plants and other plants grown in the wilds that are used for healing. Using qualitative and ethnographic methods, it was elicited that the Aeta notion of illness centered on their relationship with nature. Both physical and spiritual malaise were caused by natural forces (dala ng hangin), supernatural or condemned spirits (nagalaw), or by man himself (nabati or nabalis) and brought by bad winds (masamang hangin) although other illnesses might spring from an individual's abuse of things around him including his own body (abuso sa kapaligiran o sa katawan). The Aeta suffered from illnesses also experienced by the non-Aeta, however their healers used rituals and incantations (bulong), healing implements (bato) and prescribed medicinal herbs, and other healing materials perceived to have magical elements to treat sickness even as they clung to the belief that healing also depended on the sick person's faith in the healer and on the healing method. Healers learned their craft from a mother or father who passed it on from one generation to another believing that the medicinal plants used gained more potency when they were gathered during the Lenten season. Medicinal plants are pounded, chewed, boiled, or burned and are used for infusion, astringent (panghaplas), decoction (panlabong inumin), poultice (pantapal), sodurification (pansuob) and bathing (panligo). Healers offered remedies and cures that originated from the sources of the illness themselves ('Patpat and nakasugat, patpat din ang pang-ampat.') while supernatural elements believed to have caused the illness were driven out by plucking the guitar or some other healing implement. Nevertheless, a number of healers who professed the Catholic religion believed that the most effective cure against any illness is faith in God and professional medical help from doctors to supplement their healing practices. There were 93 plant species identified with medicinal properties in the project area that were taxonomically classified by the Museum of Natural History at the University of the Philippines in Los Ba�os. These plants address the ailments experienced in the Aeta population studied such as induced menstrual flow, stomach ache, toothache, fever and fever relapses, muscular pains, influenza, and birthing.