Practical Research 1

ANALYSIS ON THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES REGARDING THE EFFICACY

AND USE OF TRADITIONAL HERBAL MEDICINE AMONG THE GRADE 11

STEM STUDENTS AT BINTAWAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

A Qualitative Research

Presented to

The Faculty of the Senior High School Department

Bintawan National High School

Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Subject Requirements in

Practical Research I

By:

Princess Aliza May Q. Cachero

Jessica Dannielle A. Galingana

Althea Zandra P. Gamiz

Yhunhalyn T. Manzano

Jef E. Teano

Student Researchers
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CHAPTER I

Background/Rationale

Traditional Herbal medicine has a different practice based on their cultural beliefs and

historical tradition. Traditional herbal medicine commonly uses plants and other natural

substances to prevent, treat, or manage health issues. This involves medicinal herbs in a variety of

forms. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights its potential benefits which prioritizes

evidence-based research and regulation for safety and efficacy.

Medicinal plants have existed for an extended period. The majority of our society relies

on traditional medicines for basic healthcare needs. Recently, herbal remedies have gained

attention as dietary supplements for preventing diseases and as alternative or complementary

medicine (Woo et al., 2012). These medicinal plants are utilized directly or through various

methods to treat specific illnesses. Additionally, they might serve as the origins of the

conventional medicines commonly used today.

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that approximately four

billion individuals, accounting for about 80% of the global population, currently utilize herbal

remedies for primary healthcare, while others rely on various forms of traditional medicine.

The Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines recognizes ten medicinal plants: Allium

sativum (garlic/bawang), Blumea balsamifera (nagal camphor/sambong), Cassia alata

(ringworm bush/akapulko), Clinopodium douglasii (mint/yerba buena), Ehretia microphylla

(scorpion bush/tsaang gubat), Momordica charantia (bitter melon/ampalaya), Peperomia

pellucida (silver bush/ulasimang bato), Psidium guajava (guava/bayabas), Quisqualis indica

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(rangoon creeper/niyug-niyogan), and Vitex negundo (five-leaved chaste tree/lagundi) (Boy

et

al., 2018). Consequently, the DOH has designated these ten herbal plants as alternative

medicines, advocating for their utilization and development as medicinal products. This

acknowledgment underscores their significance in medicine and their impact on the

population, having been passed down through generations and orally transmitted to younger

members of society. In a study by Balongcod (2018). The Philippines and Thailand

conducted an electronic literature review on the ten DOH-approved medicinal plants. Their

findings were published as "Recommended Medicinal Plants as Source of Natural Products:

A Review," wherein they utilized the electronic literature review method to gather

information on the medicinal uses and natural products derived from these plants.

A group of researchers from the Philippines and Thailand conducted a literature review

on the ten DOH-approved medicinal plants, publishing their findings as "Recommended

Medicinal Plants as Source of Natural Products: A Review." They utilized the electronic

literature review method to compile information on the medicinal uses and natural products

derived from these plants. The summarized data includes the following: Allium sativum for

wound healing, hypertension, and toothache; Blumea balsimifera as a diuretic for

hypertension; Cassia alata for treating scabies, fungal infections, athlete's foot, tinea flava,

and ringworm; Clinopodium douglasii for muscle pain, arthritis, rheumatism, cough, and

headache; Ehretia microphylla for diarrhea and stomachache; Momordica charantia for

diabetes mellitus; Peperomia pellucida for gout and rheumatism; Psidium guajava for wounds

and diarrhea; Quisqualis indica as an anti-helminthic medicine; and Vitex negundo for cough,

asthma, and fever (Boy et al., 2018). Despite the proven effectiveness of these medicinal
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plants in treating various ailments, the researchers concluded that there are many more

ethnobotanical plants that warrant further study for the benefit of society.

A study conducted by the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), Batangas

City, examined the awareness and utilization of DOH-approved medicinal plants among

Batangueños using a self-made questionnaire. The findings indicated that most Batangueños

are aware of these plants and their uses, with bayabas, ampalaya, and sambong being the

most recognized and used. Additionally, the study revealed that among non-approved

medicinal plants, tawa-tawa, oregano, and luyang dilaw were familiar to Batangueños

(Tolentino et al., 2019).

Another study titled "Ethnomedicinal Plants in Bayabas, Sablan, Benguet Province,

Luzon, Philippines" documented the local knowledge on medicinal plants in the area.

Residents identified 75 plants used for medicinal purposes, primarily utilizing leaves that are

decocted or boiled to treat various ailments such as cough, kidney ailments, ulcers, stomach

aches, and urinary tract infections.

The knowledge and practice of using these medicinal plants are often confined within

indigenous communities or traditional families, with limited documentation available to the

public. Despite potential risks associated with these practices, particularly due to the lack of

large-scale documentation, many people, especially in the Cordilleras, continue to rely on

traditional medicines for disease treatment and overall health improvement.

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Research Framework

The general aim of this study is to analyze the beliefs and practices of Grade 11

STEM students at Bintawan National High School regarding the efficacy and use of

traditional herbal medicine. The research framework shows the relationship between the

independent and dependent variables.

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Demographic profile of Grade
11 STEM students (age, gender,
socioeconomic status, etc.)
Knowledge and awareness of
traditional herbal medicine
Exposure to and experiences
with traditional herbal medicine
Beliefs about the efficacy of
traditional herbal medicine
Practices and use of
traditional herbal medicine
Reasons for using or not
using traditional herbal
medicine

The research framework shows that the demographic profile, knowledge, awareness,

exposure and experiences of students regarding traditional herbal medicine influence their

beliefs about its efficacy and their practices in using it. The study aims to analyze these

relationships to better understand the research problem.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to analyze the beliefs and practices of Grade 11 STEM students at Bintawan

National High School regarding the efficacy and use of traditional herbal medicine.
 Practical Research 1
1. How do the beliefs and practices of Grade 11 STEM students at Bintawan National

High School regarding the efficacy and use of traditional herbal medicine manifest?

2. What herbal remedies do Grade 11 STEM students at Bintawan National High School

use for their health conditions and how do they use them?

3. Is it reasonable for Grade 11 STEM students at Bintawan National High School to

have experiences with traditional medicine based on their age and grade level, and if

so, how do these experiences shape their beliefs and practices?

Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on analyzing the beliefs and practices of Grade 11 STEM students

in Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya, regarding the use of traditional herbal medicine sourced within

their local community. It will examine factors influencing their utilization of herbal remedies,

such as cultural influences, accessibility of herbal resources, knowledge transmission, and

personal experiences. Excluded from the scope are discussions on the use of traditional herbal

medicine for serious or chronic health conditions requiring professional medical intervention,

as well as exploration of spiritual or metaphysical aspects associated with herbal practices.

The study's population comprises Grade 11 STEM students at Bintawan National High

School during the School Year 2023-2024, with data collection and analysis confined to this

timeframe. Employing qualitative approaches, including a narrative research design and

survey questionnaire with open-ended questions, the study aims to provide insights specific

to this context, acknowledging limitations in generalizing findings beyond the study's scope

and population.

Significance of the Study

This study has the potential to serve the following stakeholders:

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School Administrators: By providing insights into the beliefs and practices of Grade 11

STEM students at Bintawan National High School regarding traditional herbal medicine, this

study can help administrators to provide educational workshops or materials about different

traditional health practices, their benefits, and how they can be safely incorporated into daily

life.

Future Researchers: This study can serve as a valuable resource for future researchers who

are interested in exploring the use of traditional herbal medicine among students. The

findings of this study can help researchers to generate new ideas and hypotheses that can be

tested in future studies.

Students: By shedding light on the beliefs and practices of their peers, this study can help

students to better understand the potential benefits and risks of traditional herbal medicine.

The study can also provide students with educational workshops, assemblies, or informational

materials about different traditional health practices, their benefits, and proper usage.

Definition of Terms

Analysis: The process of examining and interpreting the beliefs and practices of Grade

11 STEM students at Bintawan National High School regarding the efficiency and use of

traditional herbal medicine.

Beliefs: The attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of Grade 11 STEM students at Bintawan

National High School regarding traditional herbal medicine, including its safety, efficacy,

and cultural significance.

Efficiency: The effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine in achieving its intended

purpose, such as treating a specific illness or promoting overall health.

Grade 11 STEM Students: The population of students in Grade 11 who are enrolled in

the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program at Bintawan

National High School.

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Practices: The actions and behaviors of Grade 11 STEM students at Bintawan National

High School related to the use of traditional herbal medicine, such as the sources they

use, the methods they employ, and the frequency of their use.

Traditional Herbal Medicine: The use of plants, plant extracts, or other natural

substances to prevent or treat illnesses and promote health, based on traditional

knowledge, beliefs, and practices passed down through generations.

Use: The frequency and manner in which traditional herbal medicine is used by Grade 11

STEM students at Bintawan National High School.

Bintawan National High School: The educational institution where the research is

conducted, located in the Philippines.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Herbal products are the mainstay treatment among patients with limited access to

conventional medicines and those seeking holistic modalities for health and wellness. Usage

continues to increase globally with the growing engagement of science and technology in the

scientific and sound development of herbal products. In the Philippines, legislative controls on

herbal medicine were established through the creation of the Philippine Institute of Traditional

and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) which aims to include herbal medicine use in the national

health care system. (Zarsuelo, 2018).

For centuries, traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) has been an integral

resource for health in households and communities. One hundred seventy countries reported on

the use of traditional medicine, with acupuncture being the most common form of practice in 113
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countries. Many developed countries have also begun recognizing and integrating traditional

medicine into their healthcare systems.

Plants, from time immemorial, have served human beings as sources of food, shelter,

clothing and medicines (Rahmatullah,, 2011). More importantly, Plants have been used for curing

various diseases and ailments from the very beginning of human civilization, and records of the

use of plants are available since about 5000 years ago (Gupta, Singh, Singh & Kaul, 2014).

The Philippines, a developing country in Southeast Asia, is home to more than 110 ethno-

linguistic groups (Balilia & McHenry, 2013). Most of the residents in the country are farmers and

fishermen who live near/on mountains, plains and farmlands, and on the coastal regions. Despite

modernization and globalization being experienced in the country, majority of the Filipinos still

are practicing traditional folk medicine (Gruyal, Del Rosario & Palmes, 2014; Tantiado, 2012)

especially in the different rural communities such as in the Province of Cagayan in Northern

Philippines. Knowledge on the use of plants as medicine was inherited by the Filipinos from their

great ancestors through oral tradition (Olowa, Torres, Aranico & Demayo, 2012).

Literatures suggest that the Philippines is rich with the different medicinal plants being

utilized by the Filipinos. However, few studies had been conducted to document the availability

and the utilizations of these plants (Gruyal, Del Rosario & Palmes, 2014; Tantiado, 2012; De

Guzman, G. Q.; Nacua, A. E.., Belgica, T. H., Clemente & Alejandro, 2014; Fiscal & Chavez,

2016). Especially in the different rural communities in Northern Philippines (Balangcod &

Balancod, 2011). This present study is conducted to document the medicinal plants used by the

people of San Miguel community in Northern Philippines to preserve knowledge of medicinal

plants in the community. Moreover, the findings of this study will provide a baseline data for

future research and potential resource for the development of new drugs (Gruyal, Del Rosario &

Palmes, 2014). Finally, it will also enhance the knowledge of scientists and pharmacologists on

indigenous knowledge on ethno-pharmacology.

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Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as a source of traditional medicine and

healing practices in various cultures around the world. According to the World Health

Organization (WHO), around 70% of the global population relies on plant-based medicines for

their primary health care needs, with 35,000 to 70,000 species used as medicaments, representing

14-28% of the estimated 250,000 plant species worldwide (Mamedov, 2012). In the Philippines

alone, approximately 1900 medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine practices, with 10

plants promoted by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Institute for Traditional

and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) since 1993 and 1997, respectively (Galvez and Sia,

2014).

The development and commercialization of medicinal plant-based bio-industries in

developing countries depend on the availability of facilities and information concerning upstream

and downstream bioprocessing, extraction, purification, and marketing of the industrial potential

of medicinal plants (Signh, 2015). However, the absence of modernized socio-economic and

public healthcare systems reinforces reliance on traditional medicinal herbs and plants as

complementary

aids to routine pharmaceutical market products, particularly among rural and lower-income urban

populations (Signh, 2015).

Medicinal plants are the backbone of traditional medicine

With over 3.3 billion people in less developed countries utilizing them on a regular basis

(Singh, 2015). The WHO reports that the use of medicinal plants is particularly prevalent in

Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where access to modern healthcare is limited and traditional

medicine is deeply rooted in cultural practices and beliefs (WHO, 2019).

The use of medicinal plants has been documented in various studies, with many reporting

on their efficacy in treating various health conditions. For instance, a study by Clemente et al.
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(2007) found that garlic was the most popular herb used by 48.3% of the sample, with 86.8% of

users indicating that herbs were efficacious and perceived to have equal or greater efficacy than

conventional allopathic medicines. Another study in the Philippines documented the traditional

knowledge of traditional healers in Laguna, finding that the most utilized plant part for medicinal

preparation was the leaves, which are abundant and easier to utilize, providing conservation for

the plants compared to roots (Fiscal, 2017).

The use of medicinal plants is not limited to traditional medicine practices. In fact, many

modern pharmaceuticals have their origins in plant-based medicines. For instance, the anti-

malarial drug artemisinin was derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua), while

the pain-relieving drug aspirin was originally derived from the bark of the willow tree (Salix alba)

(WHO, 2019).

The use of medicinal plants also has potential economic benefits, particularly in

developing countries where access to modern healthcare is limited. The commercialization of

medicinal plant-based products can provide income-generating opportunities for local

communities, while also promoting the sustainable use of natural resources (Signh, 2015)

However, the use of medicinal plants is not without its challenges. The lack of regulation

and standardization in the production and quality of medicinal plant-based products can pose

risks to consumers, particularly if they are used in place of evidence-based medical treatments

(WHO, 2019). Additionally, the overharvesting of medicinal plants can lead to the depletion of

natural resources and threaten biodiversity (WHO, 2019).

To address these challenges, there is a need for greater collaboration between traditional

healers, researchers, and policymakers to ensure the safe and effective use of medicinal plants.

This includes the development of evidence-based guidelines for the production and use of

medicinal plant-based products, as well as the promotion of sustainable harvesting practices to

protect natural resources (WHO, 2019).

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CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design:

The study employs a qualitative research design, specifically a narrative research

approach, to explore and understand the beliefs and practices surrounding the utilization of

herbal medicine among grade 11 STEM students at Bintawan National High School. This

design allows for an in-depth examination of the participants' experiences, perceptions, and

attitudes towards herbal medicine.

Respondents:

The primary participants of the study are the grade 11 STEM students of Bintawan

National High School during the School Year 2023-2024. A total of sixty students were

enrolled in the program, but only thirty were selected for inclusion in the study through a

purposive sampling technique. This selection was based on the students' willingness to

participate and their availability during the data collection period.

Research Locale:

The research will be conducted at Bintawan National High School, specifically within the

Senior High School section. The school is located in Bintawan Sur, Villaverde, Nueva

Vizcaya, and was established as part of the nationwide implementation of the "Barrio High

Schools" program proposed by Dr. Pedro Orata. The school's location in a rural area provides
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a unique context for exploring the use of herbal medicine, as it is often more accessible and

culturally relevant in such settings.

Research Instrument:

A semi-structured interview guide served as the research instrument. The guide

consisted of open-ended questions that aimed to uncover the opinions, experiences, and

perspectives of the students regarding their beliefs and practices concerning the use of herbal

medicine. The use of open-ended questions allowed for a more flexible and responsive

interview process, enabling the researcher to explore emerging themes and ideas as they arose

during the interviews. The interview guide was pilot-tested with a small group of students to

ensure its clarity and relevance before being used in the actual study.

Data Gathering Procedure:

1. Preparation: The researchers obtained approval from the school administration to

conduct the study and developed a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended

questions to explore students' beliefs and practices regarding herbal medicine.

2. Selection of Participants: From the total of sixty Grade 11 STEM students, a random

sample of thirty students was selected to participate in the study to represent a diverse

range of perspectives.

3. Informed Consent: Selected students were provided with informed consent forms

outlining the study's purpose, their rights as participants, and the voluntary nature of

their involvement in the research.

4. Data Collection: The survey questionnaire was administered to the selected

participants during a designated time, ensuring they had sufficient time to provide

detailed responses. The researchers collected and reviewed the completed

questionnaires for clarity and completeness.

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5. Data Analysis: Qualitative analysis was conducted on the collected responses to

identify common themes, patterns, and insights related to the beliefs and practices

concerning herbal medicine among the Grade 11 STEM students.

6. Interpretation of Results: The researchers interpreted the findings from the data

analysis to draw conclusions about the beliefs and practices surrounding herbal

medicine among the participants. They discussed the implications of the results for

future research or potential interventions based on the identified themes and insights.

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