In a rural Philippine province with limited access to health care, the local albularyo is a commonly accepted fallback position.
An albularyo is an herbalist-slash-faith-healer in the Philippines, a nation with only 4 doctors per 10,000 population, according to the World Health Organization — compared to 25 per 10.000 in Singapore and 20 in Hong Kong. When pressed, even Philippine health professionals concede that albularyos play a significant complementary role in rural health care.
Bitter gourd, it should be noted, is a vine found in the backyards of millions of Filipino households, and it has well documented healing properties.
Known in the West as bitter melon — scientifically named Momordica charantia — bitter gourd has properties similar to those of insulin, so it is used to lower blood sugar levels. Usually, a tea is brewed with dried leaves or slices of gourd.
Albularyos are not formally registered or regulated in the way that medical doctors and nurses are, so there is no official count of how many albularyos are practicing medicine in the country.
Aside from albularyos, there is another group of traditional healers in the Philippines who practice “hilot”, which focuses on musculoskeletal afflictions and relies on massage, joint manipulation and body alignment.
Albularyos rely on traditional knowledge, herbal remedies, and cultural practices to treat afflictions. Because their practices are rooted in local culture, albularyos have the trust of local people, but the practices vary from region to region.
For example, in Mindanao, the practice is influenced by indigenous and Islamic traditions that distinguish it from practices in Luzon.
Following are 12 herbal remedies used by albularyos and the conditions they are used for. The common Filipino names are followed by their scientific names and, when available, their common English names.
Lagundi, Vitex negundo — the 5-leaved chaste tree. This is commonly used for coughs, colds, and asthma. It thins mucous and clears up the color of phlegm. The leaves are often brewed as a tea.
Sambong, Blumea balsamifera, is a common shrub in the Philippines and India often growing to a height of four meters. It is used as a diuretic and for treating kidney stones and urinary tract infections. The leaves typically are boiled to make a concoction.
Tsaang gubat, Ehretia microphylla — Fukien tea tree or wild tea. Known for its antiseptic properties, it is used for gastrointestinal problems and oral health. The leaves can be brewed to make mouthwash, which contains fluoride..
Niyog-niyogan, Quisqualis indica — Chinese honeysuckle. This vine is used to expel intestinal worms. The seeds are often consumed for this purpose.
Pansit-pansitan, Peperomia pellucid. This is used for gout and arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The leaves can be made into a tea or chewed raw.
Bawang, Allium sativum — garlic. Garlic has antimicrobial and cardiovascular benefits. It is used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Luyang dilaw, Curcuma longa — turmeric. Turmeric is used for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can be consumed as a powder mixed with water or in food.
Akapulko, Cassia alata — candlestick plant. Often used for skin conditions such as fungal infections and eczema. The leaves can be crushed and applied topically or made into a tea.
Sili, Capsicum frutescens — chili pepper. Sili is used for pain relief and to improve circulation. It can be applied topically in oil form or consumed in food.
Kalamansi, Citrus microcarpa — golden lime or Chinese lime. A small fruit, kalamansi is used for colds and coughs, as well as for skin rashes. The juice is often mixed with honey.
Malunggay, Moringa oleifera. Malunggay has been proven effective for staph infections, and it is often used to boost energy and overall health. The leaves can be cooked in soup or ground into a powder.
Buko, Cocos nucifera — young coconut. The water and meat of young coconuts, very popular among Filipinos, are filled with electrolytes and so are used for hydration and to aid digestion.
Aside from herbal remedies, albularyos also use prayers and rituals, sometimes invoking spirits. In addition, they employ massage to reduce pain and improve circulation. Some also employ divination — looking for patterns in tea leaves and grains of rice, for example — to diagnose afflictions.
Faith healers are found not only in Southeast Asia. On the contrary, the World Health Organization reports that 170 of 194 member states acknowledge the use of some traditional and so-called complementary medicine.
Many nations have formal training and licensure systems, most notably China, where there is a China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and a National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many Chinese universities are dedicated to education and research in Chinese medicine, and today traditional Chinese medicine forms the backbone of Traditional Korean Medicine, Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, as well as Kampo, the Japanese system of traditional medicine.
As for hilot, whose practitioners are known as “manghihilots”, there have been attempts to train and license hilot practitioners through the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care. Formal training of manghihilots is available as short courses from the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan in Taguig City.
Bryce McIntyre, PhD, resides in San Andres. He holds a doctoral degree from Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA