Abstract:
Traditional medicine has been part of our culture; the term has undergone changes
in terms of definition. Now, traditional medicine is perceived not exclusively as
healing techniques that are indigenous or have local origin but also includes those
healing method from foreign influences, such as Chinese and European healing
techniques. In the Philippines, there are many traditional medicines/healings but the
most common are herbal medicine, manufactured herbal drugs, faith healing, healing
rendered by folk healer like manghihilot (traditional bone setter) at albulario
(herbolario) and non-invasive medical techniques like acupuncture, homeopathy,
reflexology and alike. This paper looks into the present status of traditional medicine as alternative
health care of Filipinos. Traditional medicine has continued to exist in our society not
merely because of cultural reason but generally because of the dismal reality Filipinos
are into. In the Philippines most of the leading causes of illness and death are
preventable and curable. Such reality only shows that the health delivery we now
have is not sufficient to cater to the needs of people who are mostly poor. The dismal
situation of the national health care system actually rooted on the religiously
following of the IMF-WB imposed economic and health policies.
