A SURVEY OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PRACTICES IN LIANGA, SURIGAO DEL SUR, MINDANAO: EXPLORING ETHNOBOTANY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Medicinal plants are integral to treating and preventing diseases while promoting overall well-being. Collecting the World's Ethnobotany highlights the importance of documenting ethnomedicinal practices across diverse communities. This study focuses on the traditional knowledge and healing practices of Lianga, Surigao del Sur in Philippines which are fundamental to the global repository of knowledge and contribute to the ongoing program of preserving the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Mindanao. Through a comprehensive assessment, we identified and recorded various medicinal plants used for emergencies in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. These include controlling bleeding, administering anti-venom, and treating issues like food poisoning, diarrhea, and other common illnesses. The research methodology employs a qualitative approach for data collection utilizing Key Informant Interviews (KI's) Snowballing, participant observation, and Focused Group Discussions (FGD), which are subsequently analyzed thematically. Our findings document 50 plant species from 30 plant families used in medicinal treatments and first aid, emphasizing the predominant use of fresh plant materials (98%) over dry materials (2%). This preference highlights the significant role fresh plants play in local healing practices.