Alternative Medicine and Health Care Practices of the Community People of Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines

Abstract

The use of alternative medicine or herbs has been gaining popularity this past few year in the Philippines and worldwide as more clinical proof emerges that validates many of the age-old alternative medicines used by Filipino folks that have been passed on. This study was conducted in nine (9) selected barangays in the City of Alaminos to determine the utilization of alternative medicine and health care practices of the people in the far-flung barangays. A total of 120 practitioners of alternative medicines were selected as respondents of the study. Results show that those who use medicinal plants in treating maladies are middle adults, female, have not finished basic education, and belong to average-size, low-income families. The practitioners use medicinal plants in treating various illnesses even without knowing the exact medical content and properties of the plants. Blanching, chewing, crushing and sniffing, decoction, frying, heating, poultice, pounding, squeezing and toasting are the different processes used in the preparation of alternative medicines.