Utilization of medicinal plants by communities living within Cañas River Watershed, Cavite, Philippines / by Cherynel G. Empig and Aileen Joy D. Estamo.

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science) Cavite State University

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR), Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

EMPIG, CHERYNEL G. and ESTAMO, AILEEN JOY D. Utilization of Medicinal Plants by Communities living within Callas River Watershed, Cavite, Philippines. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. June 2018. Adviser: Dr. Lilibeth P. Novicio.
The study was conducted from August 2017 to May 2018 within Cams River Watershed, which is composed of seven municipalities/cities namely Tagaytay City, Amadeo, Indang, Trece Martires City, Tanza, General Trias City and Rosario and has a total of 95 barangays to assess the extent of utilization of medicinal plants by communities living within the watershed. Spec fically, the study aimed to: (1) identify the medicinal plants which can be found in the Callas River Watershed and are utilized by communities living in the area; (2) determine the uses of the medicinal plants in the study area; (3) classify the medicinal plants in the study area based on its botanical characteristics; (4) determine the utilization method to cure common ailments by the selected participants; and (5) determine the medicinal plants used by the communities as listed in the Medicinal plants approved by the Department of Health. Descriptive research and purposive sampling using survey method and ocular observation were used in this study. Interviews were conducted to determine the demographic profile, types of medicinal plants, other uses of medicinal plants, classification of medicinal plants and their method of preparation in the study area. The participants that were selected within Callas River Watershed were the traditional healers (albularyo and hilot) and Ba angay Health Workers (BHWs). One hundred ninety (190) participants composed of 73 traditional healers (11 albularyo and 62 hilot) and 117 BHWs were recorded in the area.

Based on the interview, about 93 percent of the total number of participants answered that they are using medicinal plants as a primary alternative medicine for common ailments or diseases. Study showed that there were 177 medicinal plants found within the 95 barangays of Canas River Watershed that can cure common ailments. Based on the study, most of the medicinal plants (28.49%) were reported under the category of culinary uses. In terms of the classification of medicinal plants, most of the medicinal plants were categorized as tree (38%). Results showed that most of the traditional healers and BHWs used leaves in preparing herbal medicine and decoction as the utilization method to cure common ailments or diseases such as diarrhea, scabies, headache, stomachache, high blood, ulcer, skin boils, colds, cough, bruise, head lumps, and relapse. The most common medicinal plants used by the communities as listed in the medicinal plants approved by the Department of Health were both bayabas as antiseptic and sambong as a treatment for cough with (23.11 %).

Submitted to the University Library July 23, 2018 T-7342