ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMON MEDICINAL PLANTS PLANTED AND USED IN

VARIOUS HOUSEHOLDS IN ALBAY, PHILIPPINES

Ma. Teresa Abalon- Mirandilla and Elizabeth Del Prado- Abalon

Bicol University, College of Science, Legazpi City


ABSTRACT

This study aimed to document the medicinal plants and note its utilization in the three districts
of Albay. District 1 represented by Tiwi and Tabaco City, District 2 by Legazpi City and Manito
and District 3 by Ligao and Pioduran were considered as sampling sites. One rural and one
urban, with three barangays representing the three ecological zones, upland, lowland and coastal
were sampled. A total of 540 respondents were interviewed from eighteen (18) barangays. One
hundred ninety (190) medicinal plant species were identified. The most commonly used was
Blumeabalsamifera, locally known as lakadbulan. This was followed by Coleus aromaticus
(oregano), Artamisa vulgaris (artamisa),Vitexnegundo(lagundi), Psidiumguajava (bayawas) and
Moringaoleifera (malunggay). Common preparation of the plants includes decoction and
poultice for relief of cough, colds, body pain and other minor ailments. It was noted that
commercially synthesized drugs were administered after they have tried the medicinal plants.

Keywords: medicinal plant, utilization of medicinal plants, preparation of medicinal plants


INTRODUCTION

The use of medicinal plants was extensively disseminated both by government and non-
government organizations these past years. Information campaigns were initiated in the form of
print media, seminar-workshops and establishment of medicinal gardens towards the realization
that the population will not only be informed but also that the utilization of herbal medicine be
fully maximized. Promotion on the use of medicinal plants was primarily due its being abundant
not only in the Philippines but specifically in the province of Albay. Added to this is its use for
common ailments especially in the rural areas where 60% of the Filipino people live below the
poverty line (NEDA, 2010). Health resources are few so that the masses have learned to rely on
their indigenous resources. Aside from this, medicinal plants are cheaper compared to
commercial pharmaceutical preparations.

The study was conducted in the province of Albay in 2010. Albay province is located in
the southwestern part of Luzon Island and considered as the 26
th
smallest province in the
Philippines with a population of ~1.23M as of the August 2010 census. Districts 1,2 and 3 were
the sites of the study.This study was anchored on R.A. No. 8423 known as The Traditional and
the Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 (TAMA) which refers to an act creating the Philippine
Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) to accelerate the development of
traditional and alternative health care in the Philippines, providing for a traditional and
alternative health care development fund and for other purposes.
2



The study generally aimed to document the medicinal plants and its utilization practices
in various households in Tabaco and Tiwi, Legazpi and Manito, Ligao and Pioduran,
representing the first, second and third districts, respectively.

This provides information on how medicinal plants can be used for prevention and
treatment of common ailments, thus people will be educated, organized and mobilized to use the
indigenous resources in laying the foundation of a self-reliant health care delivery.


MATERIALS AND METHODS

Albay (Fig,1) is composed of three (3) cities (Legazpi, Tabaco and Ligao) and
f i f t e e n ( 15) municipalities grouped into t hree ( 3) congressional districts; namely, first
district: Bacacay, Malinao, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, Tabaco City and Tiwi; second district:
LegazpiCity, Camalig, Daraga, Manito and Rapu-Rapu; and third district: Guinobatan, Libon,
Ligao City, Oas, Pio Duran and Polangui. One city and one municipality per district were
sampled, and in each sampling areas, upland, lowland and coastal areas were represented.

A survey questionnaire was used and key-informant interviews (KII) were conducted in
coordination with the barangay council of the identified study areas. Assistance from the
barangay health workers was sought in the conduct of the sampling.




















Figure1. Map of the Province of Albay showing the Sampling Sites





3


HouseholdSurveys and Backyard Sampling

The household survey, which essentially constituted the main component of the
fieldwork, involved the use of semi-structured interviews with both men and women as
household heads. Random samples of 30 households per ecological zone were considered. A
total of 540 households constituted the population samples for this study.

Questionnaire with open- ended questions on known medi ci nal plants and its value
to treat different health problems were included. Backyard garden surveys of available
medicinal plants were identified using the available taxonomic books and other reference
materials/journals and other publications. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics
such as mean, percentage and ranking.

RESULTS
Household Survey and Backyard Sampling in the Province ofAlbay
Based from the household survey and backyard sampling shown in table 1, in the first
district, a total of one-hundred fifty-three (153) medicinal plants were noted. It was observed that
the top five medicinal plants with the highest frequency in Tabaco City were
Artocarpusheterophylla (langka), Mangiferaindica (Manga), Ficuspseudopalma (Lubi-lubi),
Cordieumvariegatum (Sampalok), and Euphorbia milii (Soro-soro) with (40.00%), (37.78%),
(31.11%), (28.89%) and (25.56%), respectively. In Tiwi, Albay, the most frequently occurring
plants differ from those in Tabaco City where Moringaoleifera (malunggay) had the highest
frequency of 35.56%, followed by Mangiferaindica (Manga), Manihotesculenta (Cassava),
Musa paradisiacal (Banana) and Euphorbia milii (Crown-of-Thorns) with28.89%, 22.22%,
21.11% and 18.89%, respectively.

In the second district, Mangiferaindica (Mango) had the highest frequency in Legazpi
City, followed by Ficuspseudopalma (Lubi- lubi) and Moringaoleifera (Malunggay) both with
22.22%, Blumeabalsamifera (lakadbulan) with 21.11% and Carica Papaya (papaya) and Musa
paradisiacal (saging) both 20%. The least frequent plants were Cansiumdomesticum Correa
(Lansones), Achrassapota Linn (Chico), Pouterialucuma (Chesa) and Gendarussa vulgaris
(Puli) with frequency value of 1.11%.

In Manito, Musa paradisiacal Linn. (Batag) had the highest frequency value of 44.44%
or almost 80 of the respondents interviewed have this plant at their backyard. This was followed
by Mangiferaindica (Mango) and Cocosnucifera (Nuyog) with 38.89% and 35.56, respectively.
Some of the least frequent plant species observed in Manito were Melastomamalabathricum
Linn. (Tonga- tuna), NepheliumlappaceumLinn. (Bulala), Symphytumofficinale (Comprey and
Cucurbita maximaDuschne (Karabasa), all with 1.11%.

In the third district, Cocosnucifera,Moringaoleifera, Euphorbia milli, Musa paradisiaca,
Artocarpusheterophylla were the top five most occurring medicinal plants in Pioduran with
23.72%, 20.33%, 16.94%, 15.25%, and 14.40%, respectively. In Ligao, the highest was
4

Moringaoleifera with 21.18% followed by Mangiferaindica (manga,), Musa Paradisiaca
(saging) Cocosnucifera (niyog) and Cupressussempervirens (cypress) with
20.33%,19.49%,16.10% and14.40%, respectively. From the top five plants, common to Ligao
and Pioduran are the Moringaoleifera (malunggay), Musa Paradisiaca (saging), and
Cocosnucifera (niyog).


Table 1. List of Most Frequently Occurring Medicinal Plants in the Province of Albay
Employing Backyard Sampling
District 1 District 2 District 3
Tabaco Tiwi Legazpi Manito Pioduran Ligao
Scientific
Name
% Scientific
Name
% Scientific
Name
% Scientifi
c Name
% Scientific
Name
% Scientific
Name
%
Artocarpusheter
ophylla
40.
00
Moringaoleifera 35.
56
Mangiferaindica 38.
89
Musa
Paradisiaca
44.
44
Cocosnucifera 23.
72
Moringaoleifera 21.
18
Mangiferaindica 37.
78
Mangiferaindica 28.
89
Ficuspsuedopal
ma
22.
22
Mangiferaind
ica
38.
89
Moringaoleifera 20.
33
Mangiferaindica 20.
33
Ficuspseudopal
ma
31.
11
Manihotesculent
a
22.
22
Moringaoleifera 22.
22
Cocosnucifer
a
35.
56
Euphorbia milli 16.
94
Musa Paradisiaca 19.
49
Cordieumvarieg
atum
28.
89
Musa
paradisiaca
21.
11
Blumeabalsamif
era
21.
11
Manihotescul
enta
33.
33
Musa
paradisiaca
15.
25
Cocosnucifera 16.
10
Euphorbia milii 25.
56
Euphorbia milii 18.
89
Carica Papaya 20.
00
Rosa
grandifora
30.
00
Artocarpusheter
ophylla
14.
40
Cupressussempervi
rens
14.
40
Musa
paradisiacal
24.
44
Ficuspseudopal
ma
17.
78
Musa
paradisiaca
20.
00
Moringaoleif
era
30.
00
Mangiferaindica 14.
40
Citrofortunellamic
roscarpa
12.
71
Psidiumguajava 24.
44
Carica papaya 17.
78
Coleus
aromaticus
18.
89
Carica
papaya
28.
89
Morindacitifolia 13.
55
Pepperoniapelucid
a
11.
86
Citrus
microcarpa
21.
11
Artocarpusheter
ophylla
17.
78
Artocarpusheter
ophylla
18.
89
Cordylinefrul
icosa
26.
67
Blumeabalsamif
era
12.
71
Psidiumguajava 11.
01
Pepperomiapelu
cida
20.
00
Psidiumguajava 16.
67
Psidiumguajava 16.
67
Artocarpusca
mansi
25.
56
Carica Papaya 11.
86
Blumeabalsamifera 11.
01
Sandoricumkoet
jape
20.
00
Hibiscus
tiliaceus
15.
56
Sandoricumkoet
jape
15.
56
Colocasiaesc
ulenta
22.
22

Theobroma
cacao
20.
00
Cocosnucifera 14.
44

Colosiaesculent
a
20.
00
Citrus
microcarpa
14.
44


Utilization of Medicinal Plants

Table 2 shows the percentage utilization of the medicinal plants by the residents of
Albay. A few number of plants are used by the residents both in Tabaco City and Tiwi, Albay
and a large percentage of the plants, although known to have certain medicinal uses, are not
being utilized. The coastal areas have the highest percentage of utilization although almost all
the households used medicinal plants. Of the ninety (90) respondents, eighty (80) households
used medicinal plants in Tabaco City and eighty three (83) in Tiwi, Albay.

In the second district of Albay, Table 2 shows that the Barangay with the most number of
medicinal plants identified in Legazpi City was Dita (lowland), with 116 identified species. Only
28% of these medicinal plants were utilized by the 28 out of 30 households. In Manito, Barangay
Pawa (coastal) has the most number of identified medicinal plants with 111. Malobago (coastal)
has the highest percentage of utilized medicinal plant with 41%. All the respondents interviewed
in Barangay Pawa and Malobago used the herbal medicine.

5

The utilization of medicinal plants in the third district of Albay (table 2) represented by
Ligao and Pioduran showed the highest utilization percentage of the plants. Cabarian and
Marigondon which represented the coastal areas in both sampling sites got the highest
percentage of utilization of the medicinal plants. Both the urban and rural sampling sites still
used the plants before they resort to commercially synthesized medicines from the drug stores.

Table 2. Utilization of Medicinal Plants in the Three Districts of Albay
Barangay
No. of species
identified
Percent utilized
No. of households
using
District 1
Tabaco City
Brgy. Tabiguian
(upland)
101 27 28
Brgy. San
Vicente(lowland)
104 26 23
Brgy. Fatima (coastal) 69 38 29
Tiwi, Albay
Brgy. Maynonong
(upland)
68 27 26
Brgy. Nagas (lowland) 118 20 28
Brgy. Bolo (coastal) 90 39 29
District 2
Legazpi City
Brgy. Imalnod
(upland)
95 32 29
Brgy. Dita (lowland) 116 28 28
Brgy. Puro (coastal) 111 30 26
Manito, Albay
Brgy. Pawa (upland) 111 36 30
Brgy. Cabacongan
(lowland)
97 37 29
Brgy. Malobago
(coastal)
105 41 30
District 3
Ligao
Tastas (upland) 107 70.0 20
Tinago (lowland) 109 48.4 21
Cabarian (coastal) 94 97.9 23
Pioduran
Agol (upland) 80 72.5 28
Caratagan (lowland) 110 85 26
Marigondon (Coastal) 90 95 30

6

Table 3 shows the percentage occurrence of medicinal flora in the backyards of
households in the Province of Albay. The result showed that among the samples the top ten
occurring medicinal plants were mangiferaindica (manga), 31.67%, Cocusnucifera (nuyog),
20.19%, Artocarpusheterophylla (langka) 18.52%, Musa paradisiaca (saging), Moringaoleifera
(malunggay) 17.78%, Carica papaya (Tapayas), 16.67%, Manihotesculenta (kamoteng-
kahoy),14.63%,Colocasia esculenta (gabi),14.44%, Blumeabalsamifera (lakadbulan),13.89%,
and Coleus aromaticusBenth (oregano) with 12.59%.Most of these plants are being cultivated
not only for medical purposes but also as ornamental, as well as a food source.
Table 3. Percentage occurrence of medicinal flora sampled in the backyards of households in the
Province of Albay (2010)
Species Common Name Habit
No. of Backyards
with observed
species
Percentage
Occurrence
(n=540)
Mangiferaindica Mangga Tree
171 31.67
Cocosnucifera Nuyog Palm
109 20.19
Artocarpusheterophylla Langka Tree
100 18.52
Musa paradisiaca saging shrub
99 18.33
Moringaoleifera malunggay tree
96 17.78
Carica papaya Tapayas Tree
90 16.67
Manihotesculenta.
Kamoteng-
kahoy
Shrub
79 14.63
Colocasiaesculenta Gabi Herb
78 14.44
Blumeabalsamifera Lakadbulan Herb
75 13.89
Coleus aromaticusBenth. Oregano Herb
68 12.59
Psidiumguajava bayabas tree
61 11.30
Capsicum frutescens Sili Shrub
56 10.37
Ficuspseudopalma lubi-lubi shrub
55 10.19
Rosa grandiflora Rose Shrub
53 9.81
Artemisia vulgaris Artamisa Herb
52 9.63
Ixoracoccinea santan shrub
44 8.15
Ananascomosus Pinya Herb
42 7.78
Citrus decumana Lukban Tree
42 7.78
Theobroma cacao Cacao Tree
42 7.78
From the top twenty medicinal plants found in Albay, table 4 shows the utilization and
preparation of the commonly used medicinal plants by the households. It is noted that the leaves,
fruit and the bark of the plants are used for treating ailments such as cough and colds, flu,
headache, toothache, itchiness and other minor ailments. Among these plants, the rose and
santan are not utilized as medicinal plants although literatures identify these plants as curative
ones.

7



Table 4. Utilization and Preparation of Medicinal Plants

Species

Common
Name
Use
Parts
Used
Utilization/Preparation
Mangiferaindica Mangga
Cough, colds,
kidney trouble,
LBM
leaves
bark
Decoction of leaves is used as
oral tonic water for people
suffering from cough and
colds.
Decoction of bark is for
treatment of LBM.
Cocosnucifera Nuyog
Kidney
problem, UTI,
diarrhea, skin
disease, gas
pain
High blood
meat,
juice,
young
leaves
Meat and juice of the coconut
are used to treat kidney
problem, UTI, gas pain.
Juice is used to prevent
diarrhea.
Decoction of young leaves is
used to cure high blood.
Artocarpusheterophylla Langka
Wound Sap Sap is used to cure wounds.
Musa paradisiaca saging
Wound Leaves Crush with both hands and
applied to the wound.
Moringaoleifera malunggay
Kidney
trouble, colds,
ulcer, fever,
allergy, boils
Wounds,
stomach ache
itchiness, ,
insect bites,
toothache, high
blood
Leaves
Seeds

Decoction of leaves is used for
kidney trouble, colds, ulcer,
fever, toothache and allergy.
Pounded stem is used for
poultice for stomach ache,
itchiness, insect bites and
boils.
Fried seed is taken by mouth
to prevent high blood pressure
Carica papaya Tapayas

Dog bite

fruit
The sap of the fruit is applied
on affected area.
Manihotesculenta.
Kamoteng-
kahoy
Stomach ache leaf Decoction of leaf is used for
treatment of stomach ache.
Colocasiaesculenta Gabi
Athletes foot Stem
and
leaves
Pound and apply on affected
area.
Blumeabalsamifera Lakadbulan
Cold,cough
dysmenorrhea,
dyspepsia,
influenza,
chest pain
Leaves




Decoction of leaves is used as
tonic drink for cold,cough
dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia,
influenza and chest pain.
Leaf extract can be used as
poultice for chest pain.
Coleus aromaticusBenth. Oregano
Cough, colds,
fever,
toothache,
stomach ache,
headache,
wounds,
Leaves Decoction of leaves is used as
oral tonic water to cure colds,
cough, headache, stomach
ache and fever. It is used to
wash wound. Leaves are
chopped into fine pieces and
are applied in the cavity to
8




relieve toothache.
Psidiumguajava bayabas
Cough, colds,
LBM, wounds,
menstruation
Leaves Decoction is used as oral tonic
water for cough and colds. It is
used to regulate the flow of
blood during menstruation. It
is used for washing wounds.
Capsicum frutescens Sili
Convulsion,
wound with
pus
Fruit The fruit is cut into halves and
applied into the lips for people
having convulsion/seizure. For
wound with pus, the leaves are
chopped into fine pieces added
with coconut meat and extract
of artamisa leaves is applied
around the wound.
Ficuspseudopalma lubi-lubi
Kidney
trouble, High
blood pressure
leaves Decoction of leaves is used as
tonic water for kidney trouble
and high blood pressure.
Rosa grandiflora Rose
Not used
Artemisia vulgaris Artamisa
Colds,flu,
cough,LBM,
stomach ache,
headache,
muscle and
body pain,
rheumatism,
menstruation,
wound, relapse
prevention
leaves Decoction of leaves is used as
tonic water for cough and
colds, flu, stomach ache,
headache and good menstrual
flow. Leaves extract can be
used by massaging the body
for muscle and body pains,
rheumatism and relapse
prevention especially for
mother who just delivered a
baby.
Ixoracoccinea santan
Not used
Ananascomosus Pinya
Cough, cold,
lower blood
pressure
Fruit,
leaves
Fruit is eaten to lower blood
pressure. Decoction of
chopped fine leaves added
with avodaco and santol is
good for cough and cold.
Citrus decumana Lukban
Cough, cold,
fever, babys
bath, sore eyes
leaves Decoction of leaves added
with oregano, matangkuwaw,
artamisa, lakad-bulan, and
kalamansi is used as tonic
drink for cough, colds and flu.
Also used as eye wash for
people with sore eyes.
Theobroma cacao Cacao
Cough and
colds,
relapse
Leaves
seed
Decoction of leaves with
santol , lagundi and guava
leaves is good for cough and
cold. Roasted seed and rice is
for cure of relapse.
9

Survey Method

Of 180 respondents, eight do not use medicinal plants. Respondents resort to traditional
medicines since they cannot afford to buy commercial medicines, and hospitals and drugstores
are not available.
The top five commonly used medicinal plants are Blumeabalsamifera (Linn.) DC
(Lakadbulan) (57.22%), Coleus aromaticus Benth. (Oregano) (45.00%), Vitexnegundo Linn.
(Lagundi) (27.78%), Chrysanthemumindicum (Mansanilla) (25.00%) and Psidiumguajava Linn.
(Bayawas) (21.67%).These plants were used for minor ailments and major ailments.
Most of these plants are being cultivated not only for medical purposes but also as
ornamental as well as a food source.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A total of one hundred ninety (190) medicinal plant species belonging to sixty-nine (69)
families were identified. The results of the household interviews showed that only a very small
number of medicinal plants present in the area are being utilized by the people. Residents of both
urban and rural areas were users of medicinal plants in treating common ailments such as colds,
cough, fever, headache, toothache, itchiness, body pain, rheumatism and other minor ailments. It
was also noted in the surveys that commercially synthesized drugs are administered after they
have tried these curative plants. The most commonly used medicinal plant was
Blumeabalsamifera, locally known as lakad-bulan. This was followed by Coleus aromaticus
(oregano), Artemisia vulgaris (artamisa), Vitexnegundo (lagundi), and Psidiumguajava(bayawas)
and Moringaoleifera (malunggay).

It is recommended that traditional medicine campaign be conducted in the local
barangays to increase the awareness of the folks on the proper use and the dose of the plant being
used as herbal medicine. Some of the plants that are being utilized have not been subjected to
thorough research such as their toxic results and other long term side effects. The local barangays
may also put up medicinal gardens so that this indigenous knowledge will be passed on to the
younger generation. This form of information dissemination may strengthen the present self-
reliant health-care delivery system, and will further popularize the use of these wonders of nature
that will eventually contribute in increasing the diversity of these medicinal plants. Moreover, in-
depth researches may also be conducted especially on the commonly used medicinal plants
which have very few scientific evidences of its medicinal value. Furthermore, active components
of these medicinal plants may also be identified in order to establish their usefulness, and
validate the safety and efficacy of their herbal remedies.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to thank the following for their assistance, support and
encouragement in the realization of this project: Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the
funding agency; Bicol University, through the Bicol University Research and Development
10

Center for their encouragement; and all the persons who contributed in the completion of this
work.


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