Going herbal
THE growth of herbal/ traditional products can be explained by the growing demands of middle-high income consumers who opt to use natural-based products due to awareness of their effectiveness and of the increasing trend towards “going green” or being pro-environment. According to Lydia Gordon in her study of health awareness and Filipino culture for herbal or traditional remedies (2016), she stated that in 2015, herbal/traditional products were the most dynamic in health category in the Philippines, with current value growth of eight percent.
Passed from generation to generation, the knowledge of the effectiveness of herbal medicines has been proven not through science but via personal experiences that are shared through wordof–mouth long before pharmaceutical industries ventured into processing herbal remedies into recognized medicines. Therefore, these remedies have a very significant role in the lives of Filipino consumers, especially those who live in farflung rural areas of the country.
This fact was proven true by the journal article written by professors from KalingaApayao State University, entitled “Availability, Preparation, and Uses of Herbal Plants in Kalinga, Philippines.” Herbal/traditional products are seen by consumers as providing adequate treatments, prevention alternatives and supplements to the growing demands of Filipinos. The use of herbal/traditional products not only appeals to lower income groups of consumers. In fact, communities, especially with the majority of poor families, are encouraged by the government to grow their own herbal remedies to save them from having to buy costly medicines for treating minor ailments such as fever, coughs and wounds.
In 1992, during the term of Juan Flavier as Secretary of Health, a brochure of 10 medicinal plants (akapulko, ampalaya, bawang, bayabas, lagundi, niyog-niyogan, ulasimang bato, sambong, tsaanggubat, and yerba buena) for common health problems was published and commercial production was pursued. The study of Ammakiw and Odiem determined the level of awareness of the residents of the province of Kalinga on the availability of herbal plants in their community and the level of knowledge of the residents in preparing and using these herbal plants, but only six of these were studied because of their availability in the said province (i.e. acapulco, ampalaya, bawang, tsaang gubat, bayabas, and yerba Buena).
Some of us were very knowledgeable on the preparation of the selected herbal plants by decoction and compression. This might be so because it was the practice of the elders during the old times and had been taught from generation to generation. A few might be knowledgeable on the preparation through infusion, which is perhaps the most widely used technique in herbal processing nowadays, the perks of teabags.
It is only sad, however, that many young people are not well-informed on the use of some herbal medicines such as akapulco to cure cough, and as mouthwash, and purgative; ampalaya as an anti-pyretic; and bayabas to prevent nose bleeding. There are also other uses of the herbal plants which have been proven by the Department of Health other than those popular, such as akapulco used as laxative; ampalaya for rheumatism and gout, for treatment of hemorrhoids, and prevention of some type of cancer; bawang as remedy for arteriosclerosis; and tsaang gubat as mouth gargle and body cleanser/ wash.
A good recommendation for educators might be the dissemination and information campaign on the different uses and preparation of herbal plants, and these can be done through the use of what is modern nowadays, the internet.
In the Philippines, we have a very diverse flora, with about 1,500 of over 13,000 species with identified medicinal value. A million or even billion global market for medicinal plants has caused renewed interest. Yes, it will be a great opportunity for private enterprise. Alas, for the poor. These capsules, tablets, ointment and teas will never be affordable. But when one is knowledgeable and aware of the importance of these plants found in our backyards, there`s nothing to worry, it will be our wealth.