Ethnobotanical study of medicinea plants of the Mag-Anchi Aeta in Villa Maria, Porac, Pampanga.

Abstract

This study was conducted to document the current ethnobotanical knowledge with medicinal plants of the Mag-Anchi Aeta of Brgy. Villa Maria, Porac, Pampanga. Semi-structured interviews with 24 participants yielded a total of 114 plant species. Eighty-four (84) plants representing 38 families were botanically identified. "Bayabas" (Psidium guajava L.) was the most frequently mentioned plant and also has the highest number of ailments treated. There were also particular medicinal plants that are most preferred by local people for the treatment of a disease. Informant Agreement Ratio was measured for each ailment and revealed that "niyog" (Cocos nucifera L.) and "galumbang" (Jatropha curcas L.) for body pain and sprains, respectively, both have the highest intracultural consensus. Literature reviews made on some plants resulted in the confirmation of their traditional use. The results of the study revealed that there is a high number of medicinal plants and wide range of traditional knowledge about their use, preparation, and application, which is still maintained among the Mag-Anchi Aeta. This documentation can be used as a baseline data for a series of future pharmacological studies.