Ethnomedicinal Knowledge among the M’ranaos in Baloi, Lanao Del Norte, Philippines
Plants are utilized as traditional medicines since time immemorial. However, the dilemma of losing this knowledge is real because of poor documentation evidenced by the relatively few studies conducted coupled with rapid urbanization especially in the Philippines. It is imperative for ethnomedicinal knowledge especially of the M’ranao tribe in Baloi, Lanao del Norte to be conserved , hence this study. Ethnomedicinal data were collected from semi-structured interviews of 30 informants and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Moreover, transect walk was performed to locate the frequently used medicinal plants. This study documented seventy eight (78) species of medicinal plants belonging to 36 families used for the treatment of various ailments belonging to 14 out of 16 human disease categories. The most important medicinal plant with a Use Value (UV) of 0.43 is Mingeyak (Salvia plebeian). There were fifty five (55) floral species found to have 100% Fidelity Level (FL) value. An Informant Concensus Factor (ICF) of 1.00 for disease Category 2, Category 3, and Category 16 indicates that there was a high degree of agreement among informants on how to treat cancer, anemia, and intestinal toxicity respectively. Leaves (63%) were the most frequently used plant part and decoction (41%) was the most common way of preparation. Internal application (77%) was the most recurrent way of plant administration to the ailing body. Herbs (47%) as medicine were the most frequently used plant habit. Qualitative investigation resulted to the identification of M’ranao traditional beliefs and practices in utilizing medicinal plants which include the time of collection, the number of plant organ collected (e.g. pito-pito) and the ways of conserving herbal plants for continuing sustainability. This study further revealed that the M’ranao tribe of Baloi has a rich floral resources use as medicines which could be further investigated for pharmacological properties to improve health care for various illnesses.