Ethnomedicinal Plants Utilized by the Ilongot-Eǵongot Community of Bayanihan, Maria Aurora, Aurora, Philippines

Abstract

The Philippines hosts 130 distinct and diverse ethnic groups. One ethnic group is the  Ilongots that inhabit the mountainous region of Maria Aurora, Aurora Province that characterized by a rich culture of traditional medicine. The study conducted a survey on the ethnomedicinal plants utilized by the Ilongot-Eǵongot community at Bayanihan, Maria Aurora, Aurora Province. Personal interviews with the tribal chieftains were conducted as well as 22 respondents were asked to answer questionnaires about the plants and their medicinal uses. Sixty-five (65) plants were documented as treatments to various conditions and are categorized into different areas: respiratory, circulatory, gastro-intestinal, obstetrics-gynecology, genito-urinary, dermatology, musculo-skeletal, diseases of the eyes, nose, ears and throat; and other categories such as antidiabetes, antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral antifungal/antibacterial/anti-infectants, antiparasitic, fever, immunostimulant/ immunity issues, anti-inflammatory and snake and dog bites. The sixty-five plants represented 27 families including Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, and Poaceae. Plant voucher specimens were preserved. It is recommended that pharmacological screenings be conducted to validate the medicinal uses of this plants.