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Takbo ng Medisina Noon at Ngayon: A Phenomenological Study of the

Correlation of Folk and Modern Medicine in the Philippines

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 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Takbo ng Medisina Noon at Ngayon: A Phenomenological Study of the

Correlation of Folk and Modern Medicine in the Philippines

A Research Presented to
Jumel Estrañero

In Partial Fulfilment of the

Mga Babasahin Hinggil sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

RAI ANNE GARIELLE A. ESPOLE

CHRISTIAN LORENZO MUHAT
January 2021
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

I. INTRODUCTION

Folk medicine also known as traditional medicine has been etched in Philippine culture
for many years. It is defined as a form of traditional medicine performed non-professionally
by those who lived isolated from modern medical services. (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).
According to an article written by Rondilla et al., it was mentioned that folk medicine
anchors its practices on indigenous beliefs with regards to a person's physiology and health
preservation. Folk medicine integrates herbal medicine, spiritual or manual therapies and
exercises, as well as physical exercises as a means to either maintain a person’s wellbeing,
diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases (NCFH, 2011) (Rondilla et al., 2021).

In the Philippines, folk medicine has been practiced for a long time and dates back to when
our forefathers arrived in our lands and settled here (Tupas & Gido, 2021). Practices of folk
medicine mirrors the culture and heritage present in the country. Rondilla et al., (2021) posits
that folk medicine revels in “locally accepted concepts of disease causation, utilizes distinct
techniques and human instinct as the means to reach a diagnosis, and applies unique methods
of treatment” (p.25).

Modern medicine otherwise known as medicine, a field of health and healing that involves
preservation of health and the alleviation, or cure of a disease (Todd, 2020). It includes
doctors, nurses, and several specialists in various fields. Medicine includes prevention of
illnesses, medical research, and other aspects of health (The MNT Editorial Team, 2018).
Modern medicine transpired after the industrial revolution in the 18th century were there was
economic growth for Western Europe and America). In the 19th century, economic and
industrial growth continued to develop which became a gateway for may scientific discoveries
and inventions such as the breakthrough discovery of infection control, pasteurization, the use
of antibiotics and many more (The MNT Editorial Team, 2018).

According to an article written Bantung (1954) (as cited by Reyes (2021), the history of
Philippine medicine is ordered in an “evolutionary developmental path that moves from
primitive medical thought and the darkness of superstitious beliefs to the light reason and the
triumph of biomedical science as distinguished by the empiric period”. This means we began
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PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

from practicing folk medicine until we were colonized by the American and they imposed
their healthcare system unto our ancestors. Reyes (2021) called their arrival as a medical
salvation for they enforced vaccines, hygienic habits and other sanitation programs.

The growth of folk medicine, specifically herbal medicine, developed when former
President Fidel V. Ramos signed the Republic Act No. 8423 also known as the Traditional
and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 (Tupas & Gido, 2021). This law
acknowledges the significance of traditional medicine in providing essential healthcare to the
people (Comidoy, 2014). This law is also important because despite being provided by
knowledge and hygienic medical practices by the Western countries aforementioned before,
not many Filipinos can afford such treatment. Unlike herbal medicine which was affordable
and attainable to many.

Therefore, this study aims to present the correlation between the two fields of medicine
and distinguish whether it is better to move forward and leave folk medicine behind and only
practice modern medicine or incorporate traditional medicine in today’s modern medicine.

II. BODY
Conceptual Literature

Positive Perspective Regarding Folk Medicine

Traditional healing is a culture that has been part of the Filipinos and have been
passed down from generation to generation. This is especially true in far flung barrios and
barangays in the country. Their names, originally called babaylan, have now evolved and
diversified into albularyo, manghihilot, mangluluop, mangtatawas and faith healers. They
have become instrumental in the wellbeing of their fellows (Rebuya, n.d). Leading us to
believe that folk medicine is seen in a positive dare we say reverent light.
Some practices of folk medicine have been documented and have become the
source of study and intrigue to modern medicine. Take the interest of the medicinal plant
of Lagundi where due to the documentation of one Spanish Jesuit priest by the name of Fr
Colin it’s healing properties have been shared to the public. According to an article written
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

by World Intellectual Property Organization (n.d), albularyos are treated as something akin
to an authoritative figure in many communities in the country.

Neutral Perspective Regarding Folk Medicine

During this day and age where the internet and the spread of information levels
travels fast, folk medicine seems to have adapted to this change as well. Many doctors now
broadcast themselves in radio stations with their alternative “miracle” product that
alongside a healthy lifestyle and prayer, will cure all ailments known or unknown. These
days they no longer call their products “medicine” instead they changed it and now dubbed
it as healing food supplements for their consumers.

Not all practitioners of folk medicine specialize in all aspects of it. This has a
hierarchy of different healers and specialists. Albularyo are general practitioners that have
considerable knowledge in herbs and folklore modularities. There is also the manghihilot
which specializes in sprain treatment and spasms. Nagpapaanak specializes in delivering
birth and suob, a ritual for women usually weeks after giving birth. The medico is a mish-
mash stitch of knowledge of western medicine alongside folklore modularities. Usually
performing rituals such as dropping off candle wax in water and other esoteric practices
alongside western practices and medicine.

In the age of globalization and of the so-called ‘plate world’, assessing the
‘transferability’ of treatments between different cultures is not a relevant goal for clinical
research, while it is the assessment of efficacy and safety that should be based on the
regular patterns of mainstream clinical medicine.

The other black box of herbal-based treatments is the lack of definite and complete
information about the composition of extracts. Herbal derived remedies need a powerful
and deep assessment of their pharmacological qualities and safety that actually can be
realized by new biologic technologies like pharmacogenomic, metabolomic and
microarray methodology.
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

There are many factors that influence the use of herbal medicine both in developed
and developing countries. Holistic approaches to health problems and safety have been the
particular influence of herbal medicine use in developed countries whereas their
accessibility, affordability, historical, cultural, and religious backgrounds in addition to the
above factors influence herbal medicine use in developing countries. While many
procedures of folk medicine vary from culture to culture, bario to bario, community to
community, all of them seem to have a correlation and are centered around in one way or
another.

Negative Perspective Regarding Folk Medicine

Herbal medicines can cause kidney failure and liver damage in some consumers
because they contain toxic chemicals or heavy metals, or react harmfully with other drugs,
a study has found. The finding comes from a paper published in the Medical Journal of
Australia on Monday. Researchers led by the University of Adelaide reviewed the findings
from 52 studies of herbal medicines and toxicology. The lead author of the review,
pathology professor Roger Byard, said the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
should require independent testing of herbal medicines before placing them on the market,
and that legal action should be considered when products did not comply with regulations.
The products should also be closely monitored once on the market, he said.

Herbal medicines are easily available in market and can be purchased without
prescription. These products are advertised on media as a miracle treatment without any
side effects to attract people that are fed up with side effects or lost hope for being cured.
The patients who like to play safe game are attracted in a manner that they are allowed to
continue their regular medicines along with herbal treatment. Even persons caring about
their health start herbal treatment to remain healthy proving the proverb “Prevention is
better than cure.” As a result, a large number of people are attracted towards herbal
medicines, and they start self-treatment.
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In a large part of the world, unqualified practitioners are prescribing alternative

therapies to patients of various diseases, apart from some countries where laws and
regulations for herbal practitioners exist and implemented. Medical practitioners are
provided vast knowledge about human body, drugs, mechanism of action, pharmacology,
case studies, and then allowed to practice. Nowadays, Alternative Medicine Degree Course
is available in certain universities with highly qualified and experienced faculty, which is
a good source of herbal practitioners, but still 50% of herbal practitioners in the world are
unqualified who acquire this profession after their forefathers such as a son of a farmer
becomes a farmer, or after reading some books about herbal medicine, conducting 6-month
online course about herbal medicine, etc., and start practicing. In underdeveloped
countries, people are attracted towards these quacks due to economic reasons and start
taking herbal medicine. These unqualified practitioners themselves are not aware of toxic
effects of herbal medicines, and if the patient complains, they cannot rectify their mistake.

Related Literature
Philippine Traditional and Alternative Medicine
These traditional medical practitioners cover a wide spectrum of practices and
differ from one another. Even in these modern times where information and advanced
science has greatly progressed, traditional medicine still enjoys a large following most
especially in rural areas.
In recognition of the deep-seated practice of traditional medicine as an alternative
modality for treating and preventing diseases in the Philippines, the Department of
Health (DOH) through its former Secretary Juan M. Flavier launched the Traditional
Medicine Program in 1992. This program aims to promote an effective and safe use of
traditional medicine. Then President Fidel V. Ramos appreciated the importance of the
traditional medicine program and signed into law Republic Act 8423 (R.A. 8423),
otherwise known as the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997.
This gave rise to the creation of Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health
Care (PITAHC) which is tasked to promote and advocate the use of traditional and
alternative health care modalities through scientific research and product development.
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Since then the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) through its “Traditional Health
Program” has endorsed 10 medicinal plants to be used as herbal medicine in the
Philippines due to its health benefits.

Doctors and Developmental Study Done in the Western Philippines

The Philippines as a country has still a long way to go in terms of modern medicine
services in our country. Quah (1989) (as cited by Smith 1991) stated that in Southeast
Asian countries practice of traditional medicine is not only surviving but also “established
ways of healing by actively interacting with modern medical practices” (p. 201). A study
written by Smith (1991), shows that folk medicine or folk healing as it was dubbed in the
study is still thriving for three factors: a) it has therapeutic value and is an integral part of
the Filipino culture; b) it has adapted itself in modern medical practices; and c) the health
care provided by modern medicine is able to cater to all Filipinos (p. 201).
Smith (1991) conducted a survey to find out what how the physicians they surveyed
view folk medicine and its different practitioners. In the survey, respondents were asked
several questions and from those questions we found out that over 90% of Iloilo
physicians see the use of herbal medicine and plants in a positive light. From the face-to-
face interview Smith conducted with the physicians, it was discovered that the doctor
sometimes prescribe herbs to their patients who cannot afford manufactured drugs.
Another doctor also mentioned that herbs can be used in washing and dressing wounds
and rashes. Among the physicians, there was a substantial agreement about the therapeutic
value of folk medicine (67%) and the establishment of professional standard for folk
medicine practitioners (51%). When the physicians were asked if they would safely
prescribe herbal medicine to their patients, they were divided (40% agreed, 24% disagreed,
and 36% were undecided). However, when they were asked if they would refer a patient
to a folk healer 58% of the physicians disagreed and only 17% agreed (others were
undecided). Some of the statements of the physicians regarding this is that they don’t have
the proper equipment. For example is the manghihilot, they don’t have x-rays to guide
them and because of those minor fractures may lead to full blown fractures if they were
mishandled. When asked again if they were willing to manage a patient with a folk healer,
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
58% of the physicians disagree. According to one of the physicians, they encountered
several patients who were in worse condition after they visited the folk healer.
As a developing country the Philippines still limited in terms of modern medical
services in the country. The price is also unattainable for those below the poverty line
which is why people sometimes opt to seek treatment from folk healers because not only
were they affordable, but it is also more accessible than modern medicine.

III. ANALYSIS

In modern days, folk medicine usage has been scarce due to the globalization of the
use of modern medicine. However, just like what was mentioned before, the Philippines is
still a developing country and not all Filipinos can afford the health care most hospitals
offer even with insurance. This is the reason why they still visit folk healers with the hopes
to get an effective cure for lesser the price. Sometimes, Filipinos does not recognize that
seeking help from folk healers actually compromises their health. For example, is the
finding of the study mentioned before in which a doctor found their patient in a worse
condition after seeking the help of a folk healer (Smith, 1991).

The researchers of this study found out about the different perspectives regarding
folk healing. Below is the table summary of the perspectives mentioned before.

Table 1. Table summary of the different folk medicine perspectives

Positive Neutral Negative

- The use of herbal -Folk medicine is - Some herbal medicine

medicine as an alternative
to manufactured drugs;
herbal medicine is also
used in various
advancement in research.
sometimes marketed as a has side effects such as
"miracle" cure. Although it kidney failure and liver
is somewhat effective, it damage. It can also give a
can be a bit misleading. It sense of false hope and
is a holistic approach to can prevent a patient to
curing diseases seek treatment they really
specifically herbal needed
medicine.
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PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Because of the situation on our country we are not yet to fully transition in just
using modern medicine as our main source of healthcare in our country. As mentioned in
the summary above, herbal medicine, although susceptible to many side effects, is still used
as an alternative medicine to this day. The researchers have also noticed that there’s not
enough studies that talks about the current situation of healthcare in the Philippines
especially folk medicine. One of the studies the authors have found is a study that dated
back to 1991. This is a study of Smith (1991) as it was mentioned before, it talk about the
attitudes of practicing physicians towards folk medicine practitioners. The chart below is
the results of the survey of (Smith, 1991, p. 203).

Table 2. Attitudes and reactions of Iloilo physicians toward statements about the
value and use of folk medicine from 1980-1981
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

According to the data presented above, many physicians agree with the use of
herbal medicine with the ratio being 96:4 % and 91:4% (for items 1 & 2). However, when
the physicians were subsequently asked if they were to refer a patient to a folk healer or
manage a patient with a folk healer majority of them refused with the ratio being 17:76:7%
and 33:58:9% respectively (some were undecided). Even though this data is thirty-one (31)
years old it is still relevant because aforementioned not many Filipinos are able to afford
modern healthcare. Another reason is that many Filipinos still live far away from hospitals
or health centers that provide treatment especially those who live up in the mountains or
those who would have to cross an ocean to get to the nearest hospital.

As the researchers futher analyze the situation, they agreed that the Traditional and
Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 signed by the former President Fidel V. Ramos
should be updated and mandated to folk healers in our country.

IV. RECOMMENDATION

The researchers were able to gather data about the different perspectives about folk
healing in the country, Philippines, and was able to find minimal studies about the
correlation of both folk medicine and modern medicine. Furthermore, the researchers have
drawn the following recommendations for those who wants to pursue this study in the
future:

In order to address the problem of the lack of statistical data, Future researchers
should conduct surveys of those who took folk medicine against those who took modern
medicine. This data would then be used to further bridge the gap of understanding between
modern medicine and folk medicine. Further research on the subject of faith would also be
required.

V. CONCLUSION AND WAY AHEAD

Folk medicine is undeniably part of the Filipino culture passed from generation to
generation. The researchers used the available resources to find the correlation between the
two branches of medicine which is folk medicine and modern medicine. Folk medicine is
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
considered to be an alternative when modern health care is not available or cannot be
attainable by people below the poverty line. Positive perspectives towards folk medicine
suggests that herbal medicine is an effective substitute to over-the-counter drugs. It is also
easily accessible to the people who needed them. Studies have also been conducted about the
usage of herbal medicine and researchers nowadays are also looking for ways to expound their
usage. However, there are still side effects to herbal medicine. Some of them suggest that
herbal medicine can cause kidney failure and liver damage in some consumers for they contain
toxic chemicals or heavy metals. Some practitioners also take advantage of those who seek
guidance and advertise their medicine as a “miracle” cure trying to deceive people who seek
treatment. Practice of folk medicine is also not mandated as you can prescribe and practice
this field without needing a license. These are the negative perspectives surrounding folk
medicine.

Ultimately, this study proved that there is correlation between folk medicine and
modern medicine in the Philippines and the attitudes of physicians towards the practice of folk
medicine is mixed. They approve of the use of herbal medicine as an alternative and they agree
that folk medicine does have some therapeutic value. However, they would not refer a patient
to a folk healer, nor they would be willing to manage a patient together with a folk healer.
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

VI. REFERENCES

Rondilla, N. A. O., Rocha, I. C. N., Roque, S. J. R., Lu, R. M. S., Apolinar, N. L. B.,
Solaiman-Balt, A. A., Abion, T. J. J., Banatin, P. B. P., & Javier, C. V. M. (2021).
Folk Medicine in the Philippines: A Phenomenological Study of Health-Seeking
Individuals. The International Journalof Medical Students, 9(1), 25–32.
https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2021.849. Retrieved from
https://www.ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/849/699.

National Center for Farmworker Health Inc.,. (2011). Folk Medicine and Traditional
Healing. National Center for Farmworker Health Inc.,.
http://www.ncfh.org/uploads/3/8/6/8/38685499/fs-folk_medicine.pdf

Tupas, G. D., & Gido, L. J. F. J. (2021). Chapter 25- Perspective on herbal medicine in the
Philippines, economic demands, quality control, and regulation. Preparation of
Phytopharmaceuticals for the Management of Disorders, 475–482.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820284-5.00009-5. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128202845000095

Comidoy, M. D. S. (2014, March 8). Alternative Medicine. Philippine Institute for

Developmental Studies. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from
https://www.pids.gov.ph/pids-in-the-news/683

The MNT Editorial Team. (2018a, November 2). What is modern medicine? Medical News
Today. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323538

The MNT Editorial Team. (2018b, November 16). What is medicine? Medical News
Today. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323679#:%7E:text=Conventional%20
modern%20medicine%20is%20sometimes,Chinese%20medicine%2C%20and%20
many%20more.
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Todd, J. W. (2020, September 7). medicine | Definition, Fields, Research, & Facts.
Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from
https://www.britannica.com/science/medicine

Reyes, R., Ph. D. (2021, February 1). Studying the History of Medicine in the Philippines:
A Survey of the Field (Part 1) – Anargyroi. Anargyoi. Retrieved January 27, 2022,
from http://anargyroifoundation.org/studying-the-history-of-medicine-in-the-
philippines-a-survey-of-the-field/

Philippine Traditional and Alternative Medicine. (2017, October 10). Kilusang Bagong
Lipunan. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://kbl.org.ph/philippine-traditional-
and-alternative-medicine/

Rebuya, N., Lasarte, E., Amador, M.M. (n.d) Medical Pluralism, Traditional Healing
Practices, and the Partido Albularyo: Challenge in Inclusion. Scientific research an
academic research

World Intellectual Property Organization (n.d) From Herbal Folklore to Modern Medicine
Retrieved from: https://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/articles/article_0186.html.
Stuart, G. (n.d) Philippine Alternative Medicine: The Healers. stuartxchange. Retrieved
from : http://www.stuartxchange.com/Albularyo.html.

Firenzuoli, F. & Gori, L.(2007) Herbal Medicine Today: Clinical and Research Issues.
PMC US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2206236/

Anonymous (n.d) Knowledge, attitudes and practices in the use of herbal medicine: the
case of urban and rural mothers in the philippines. Mahidol Univ J Pharm. Retrieved
from: https://pharmacy.mahidol.ac.th/journal/_files/2016-43-1_1.pdf

Davey, M. (2019, April 10). Herbal medicines can have dangerous side effects, research
reveals. The Guardian. Retrieved 2022–01-28, from
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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/feb/06/herbal-medicines-can-
have-dangerous-side-effects-research-reveals

Fatima, N., & Nayeem, N. (2016) Toxic Effects as a Result of Herbal Medicine
Intake. IntechOpen. Retrieved from: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/

Philippine Traditional and Alternative Medicine. (2017, October 10). Kilusang Bagong
Lipunan. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://kbl.org.ph/philippine-traditional-
and-alternative-medicine/

Smith, H. E. (1991). DOCTORS AND DEVELOPMENT: A WESTERN PHILIPPINES

STUDY. Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society, 19(3), 191–206.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/29792058
 De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
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VII. Message to your Professor

Muhat: Sir Jumel, thank you for sharing your enthusiasm with us in history. It was in your
teachings that we managed to learn more about the history of the Philippines. The
demonization of our own beliefs and mocking us for being backwater and when we
manage to be on the same level of intellect and capacity as them, they treat us as a threat
and menace to society. Afterwards, how the Americans managed to win our trust by
fighting side by side with us and stabbing us in the back in the pretence of improving our
government and country. It's through your teaching laced with emotions that managed to
make me more interested in the richness of our own culture. The Bangan Manunggul o
ang Manunggul Jar na libingan ng ating mga ninono. It's through your teachings that I
managed to reawaken my pride as a Filipino and want for the people to realize our potential
and reawaken my wish for the Filipinos to be revered.

Espole: As a student who was struggling with history before, I would like to offer my
gratitude to you Sir Jumel for awakening our sense of nationalism and patriotism. Because
of your enthusiasm we were able to learn about the different aspects of history we will not
be able to learn otherwise. Thank you for making our synchronous sessions entertaining
and engaging. Thank you also for being considerate of our class. And even though
conducting classes was though because of the new normal, you never failed to guide us.
Once again, thank you Sir!

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