Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants Used by the Subanen Tribe of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur

Abstract

Ethnobotanical documentation was conducted in the Municipality of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur. This was done through informal interviews, walk-through interviews, and focus group discussions with seven selected healers of the Subanen tribe. There were 89 medicinal plant species documented belonging to 39 genera under 41 families. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part which were prepared through decoction and taken internally. Respiratory-related diseases are the most common ailments that the Subanen tribe encountered. It appears that there is a need to conserve the important medicinal plants especially those that are rarely encountered species. Moreover, further pharmacological tests need to be undertaken to prove the efficiency and potency of the plants as medicine.

Full text

BEPLS Vol 5 [5] April 2016 53 | P a g e ©2016 AELS, INDIA
Bulletin of Environment, Pharmacology and Life Sciences
Bull. Env. Pharmacol. Life Sci., Vol 5 [5] April 2016: 53-67
©Academy for Environment and Life Sciences, India
Online ISSN 2277-1808
Journal’s URL:http://www.bepls.com
CODEN: BEPLAD
Global Impact Factor 0.533
Universal Impact Factor 0.9804
ORIGINAL ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS
Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants Used by the Subanen Tribe of
Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur
Jhoan Rhea L. Pizon1, Olga M. Nuñeza1, Mylene M. Uy2, WTPSK Senarath3
1-Department of Biological Sciences, Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT),
Iligan City, 9200 Philippines.
2-Department of Chemistry, Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Iligan
City, 9200 Philippines.
3-Department of Botany, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
*Corresponding author’s email: olgamnuneza@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Ethnobotanical documentation was conducted in the Municipality of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur. This was done
through informal interviews, walk-through interviews, and focus group discussions with seven selected healers of the
Subanen tribe. There were 89 medicinal plant species documented belonging to 39 genera under 41 families. Leaves
were the most frequently used plant part which were prepared through decoction and taken internally. Respiratory-
related diseases are the most common ailments that the Subanen tribe encountered. It appears that there is a need to
conserve the important medicinal plants especially those that are rarely encountered species. Moreover, further
pharmacological tests need to be undertaken to prove the efficiency and potency of the plants as medicine.
Keywords: conservation, decoction, efficiency, healers, pharmacological tests.
Received 02.02.2016 Revised 14.02.2016 Accepted 10.03.2016
INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants have become a topic of global importance making an impact on both world health and
international trade [1, 2]. Camacho et al. [3] reported that Filipinos of the olden times use herbal plants as
treatment for different ailments long before the introduction of Western practice of healing. Popular
knowledge of usage of plants by humans is said to be on thousand years of experience wherein people
have recognized and utilize medicinal plants including magico-religious function through trial and error
[4].
Traditional knowledge plays a vital role in the daily lives of people in many areas of the world [5]. It is the
sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to
different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the
prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness. Traditional medicine has
been practiced since long ago throughout the world and is mostly influenced by superstitions, myths,
religion, and herbalism [6].
In the Philippines, indigenous groups have depended on their traditional knowledge for them to survive
in an ever changing world. Even before civilization, tribes in their respective areas have long used their
indigenous knowledge about their environment and nature in dealing with their daily activities and
source of living for survival [7]. Approximately, there are 110 indigenous communities in the Philippines
and more than 170 ethnolinguistic groups in the country and among these are the Subanens [6]. The
Subanen tribe is the major occupant of the town of Lapuyan and the culture and practices are well-
preserved up to now through family lines or inheritance [6, 8]. The Subanen tribe calls the medicinal
plants as “bulung” and they believe that these plants have spirits that should be valued and respected [9].
Rapid loss of plant biodiversity and genetic resources, traditional, and ethnobotanical knowledge are
some of the problems encountered by the Subanen tribe. Knowledge on herbal plants is rapidly declining
since young generations know less or nothing at all on the utilization and importance of the medicinal
plants. These problems make it urgent that people learn as much as possible before old remedies are
forgotten or plant sources are destroyed due to technology. Realizing the continuous erosion in the

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knowledge of many important medicinal plants, there is then the need to review valuable information for
the development of the medicinal plant sector. Ethnobotanical knowledge must be documented before it
vanished forever [11]. Thus, the study was conducted to document the knowledge or information and the
utilization of indigenous herbal plants used by the Subanen tribe in the Municipality of Lapuyan,
Zamboanga del Sur. The findings of this study would provide a database for future research and potential
resource for the development of plant-based drugs through isolation and characterization of bioactive
phytochemicals present in the plants.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in the municipality of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur (Figure 1). Lapuyan was
selected because of the following criteria: presence of traditional healers; willingness and the capacity of
the community to participate; most of the people living in the area are Subanen; and the use of medicinal
plants in healing [6]. Prior to the conduct of the study, permits were obtained from the Mayor and Tribal
Leaders.
Figure 1. Map of the Municipality of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur (https://maps.google.com.ph/, 2015).
Several courtesy calls to municipality officials, school heads, purok leaders, known relatives and
neighbors of healers were made to pinpoint the healers who are actively practicing traditional medicine.
The survey followed the protocol of Elago et al. [6] with modifications. In-depth and walk-through
interviews as well as focus group discussions were employed in the survey. The respondents were
interviewed regarding the local names of medicinal plants that they are using, type of ailments, the plant
parts used, method of preparation and application. These were followed by the validation of data.
RESULTS
Tables 1a nd 1b show a complete overview on the plants documented including the parts used,
preparation and mode of application, and the medicinal uses.
Table 1a. Medicinal Plants Used by the Subanen tribe of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Scientific Name
English Name Tagalog Name Subanen
Name
Plant
Part/s
Used
Preparation
and
Application
Medicinal Uses
Annonaceae
Friesodielsa
latifolia (Hook
&Thomson)
Steeris
- - Mhemot balu
Roots Wash a small
root and chew.
Prevents hypertension
Anona muricata
L. Soursop Guyabano Malabanos Young
leaves
Pound seven
leaves and
apply around
the wound
Tetanus
Apiaceae
Centellia asiatica
Gotu kola - Jaong jaong Whole
plant
Decoction- Boil
plenty of jaong
jaong with
enough water.
Diabetes
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Drink 3x a day
with or without
meal. Stop
when blood
glucose
decreases to
normal level
Apocynaceae
Asclepias
curassavica (L.) Tropical milkweed - Gapas-apas Roots
Decoction- Boil
enough roots
with ample
amount of
water. Drink as
often as needed.
Amoebiasis
Alstonia scholaris
(L.) White cheese wood
Dita Malogatas Trunk
Infusion- Scrape
the outer layer
7x. Add 1/2
glass of water.
Drink twice a
day for 3 days.
Decoction-
Scrape the
outer layer 7x.
Boil the scraped
pieces with 3
glasses of
water. Drink
thrice a day for
3 days
High blood pressure
Voacanga
megacarpa Merr.
- - Thepalak
mebagal Roots
Juice-Pound
enough roots
and squeeze
and apply the
squeezed plant
material on the
wound
To abate bleeding of a fresh
wound
Araceae
Alocasia
macrorrhizos
(L.)
G.Don
Elephant ear - Biga Rhizome
Slice, pound,
and apply on
the affected
part.
Early stage of inflammation
Homalomena
rubescens
(Roxb.)
Kunth
- Alipayo Phayaw Stem
Slice into
pieces, pound,
and smell often.
Cold
Araliaceae
Osmoxylon
diversifolium - - Gulo-ulo Stem
Decoction-
Scrape stem 7x
downward. Boil
with enough
water. Drink
1/2 glass thrice
a day for 3 days.
Dysmenorrhea,Mennorhagia
Arecaceae
Calamus sp. - - Dlebie Juice
Cut stem, gather
juice, and apply
on the wound
often.
Shingles caused by Herpes
zoster
Asparagaceae
Cordyline
fruticosa (L.) A.
Chev.
Good luck plant Tungkod-
pare Guilala Young leaf
Eat the leaf
often until
needed.
High blood pressure
Asteraceae
Chromolaena
odorata (L.) Siam weed Hagunoy Gunoy Young
leaves
Juice - Pound
young leaves.
Squeeze the
juice and apply
on the area.
Repeat for 3
days.
Fresh wound
Bignoniaceae
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Oroxylum indicum
(L.) Benth. ex
Kurz
Indian
Trumpet
flower
-
Bnenloy
Young
leaves
Pound enough
leaves and add
little amount of
water. Put on
the head.
Body pain, fever
Radermachera sp
- - Phelebonaya
n Trunk
Decoction- Boil
enough size
with ample
amount of
water. Drink
often.
Diabetes, High blood pressure,
Cough
Cucurbitaceae
Momordica
charantia L. Bitter gourd
Ampalaya Palya Fruit
Heat over low
fire. Eat as
needed.
Diabetes
Luffa acutangula
Roxb. Sponge gourd
Patola Tikwa Leaves
Heat enough
leaves until
burnt. Apply
and change
when dry.
Early stage of inflammation
Dilleneaceae
Dillenia
philippinensis
Rolfe
Elephant
apple Katmon Dlhembog Leaves
Decoction- Boil
seven leaves
with 1 1/2 glass
of water. Once
lukewarm,
drink a half
glass once
Diarrhea and vomiting
Euphorbiaceae
Melanolepsis
multiglandulosa
Rchb. & Zoll.
- Alim Ghalem Trunk
Scrape the
trunk thrice or
seven times and
apply the
scraped plant
material into
the affected
area.
Itchiness
Euphorbia hirta
L.
Cat's hair ,
Asthma plant
Tawa-tawa Tematik Whole
plant
Decoction- Boil
with 3 glasses
of water until 1
glass is left.
Drink once or
twice a day.
Recurring fever
Euphorbia hirta
L.
Cat's hair ,
Asthma plant
Tawa-tawa Tematik Juice Apply often Cracked heels
Breynia cernva
(Poir.) Mull. Arg.
- - Thetulog Stem
Use a thin
section of the
stem as a
toothpick
Toothache prevention
Breynia cernva
(Poir.) Mull. Arg.
- - Thetulog
Pound handful
of leaves.
Squeeze the
juice on the
affected area.
Open wound
Jatropha curcas
L.
Physic nut
tree
Tubang-
bakod
Tuba-tuba Leaves
Juice and
Poultice-
Collect
enough juice/
sap from the
stem using a
cotton and put
on the hole of
the affected
tooth or gum.
Remove when
pain subsides.
Toothache,
Diarrhea and vomiting, Ulcer,
Spasm
Jatropha curcas
L.
Physic nut
tree
Tubang-
bakod Tuba-tuba Juice
Infusion- Scrape
the inner part
and add hot
water. Drink
until needed.
Diarrhea and vomiting, Ulcer,
Spasm
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Jatropha curcas
L.
Physic nut
tree
Tubang-
bakod
Tuba-tuba Young
leaves
Put 3 leaves on
the area.
Always change
when the leaves
are already
dried.
Back pain
Fabaceae
Afzelia rhomboidea
(Blanco) Vidal
Malacca-
teak - Glonghigi Trunk
Juice- Scrape
trunk 3x and
squeeze the
juice. Apply on
the head after
shampoo. Leave
for half an hour.
Rinse.
To get rid of lice
Flemingia strobilifera
(L.) W. F. Alton Wild hops Panapanarahan
Kolipes Roots
Decoction- Boil
with water and
take regularly.
Taking fresh
water is
prohibited.
Tuberculosis
Flemingia strobilifera
(L.) W. T. Alton Wild hops Panapanarahan
Kolipes Roots
Decoction-
Pound enough
roots and boil
with 1/2 glass
of water. Drink
thrice a day for
3 days.
Diabetes
Flemingia strobilifera
(L.) W. T. Alton Wild hops Panapanarahan
Kolipes Leaves
Pound 7 leaves
and apply on
the inflamed
area.
Inflammation
Mimosa pudica L. Sensitive plant
Makahiya Selompatay Roots
Apply on the
tooth Toothache
Derris elliptica (Wall.)
Benth. Tuba root Tubli Thoba Leaves
Pound plenty
leaves and
apply until
itchiness
subsides.
Itchiness
Sesbania grandiflora
(L.) Pers. West indian pea
Katuray Thori Trunk
Infusion- Scrape
the trunk 7x
and boil with
enough water.
Drink the
infusion often
until well.
Diarrhea
Graminae
Imperata cylindrica
(Linn.) Beauv. var.
Koenigii (Retz.) Benth
Cogon grass Kogon Gegi Roots
Decoction- Boil
handful of roots
with a glass of
water. Drink
thrice a day
after meal for 3
days.
High blood pressure
Eleusine indica (L.)
Gaertn
Goose
grass Paragis Shelapid Roots
Decoction- Boil
with enough
roots and drink
often.
“Pagan”
Eleusine indica (L.)
Gaertn
Goose
grass Paragis Shelapid Leaves
Get 2 leaves. Tie
each leaf
around each
thumb of the
toe.
Practice after giving birth for
prevention from relapse
Saccharum officinale L.
Sugar cane Tubo Thebu Stem
Eat frequently.
Do not drink
water
afterwards
Hyperacidity
Saccharium violaceium
Tussac Sugar cane Tubo Thebu
menubo Stem
Eat the
stem/fruit
often.
Hepatitis
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Cymbopogon citratus
(DC.) Stapf
Lemon grass
Tanglad Thenlad Stem
Decoction- Boil
several stems
with enough
water. Drink
thrice a day for
3 days.
High blood pressure
Lamiaceae
Coleus aromaticus
Benth. Oregano Suganda Gliganu
Young
and/or
mature
leaves
Pound enough
leaves and
squeeze the
juice. Give 1/2
tsp to a child
twice a day
Children’s cough
Vitex negundo L. Five-leaved
chaste tree Lagundi Lagundi Young
leaves
Pound and
extract the
juice. Drink 1
tbs often.
Cough
Vitex negundo L. Five-leaved
chaste tree Lagundi Lagundi Young
leaves
Decoction- Boil
enough leaves
with enough
water. Drink
regularly.
Cough
Liliaceae
Lilium sp. - - Niyog-niyog
Bulb
Decoction- Slice
into 7 piece and
boil with 3
glasses of
water. Drink the
decoction often
until needed.
Kidney trouble, Internal
illness, Tuberculosis, Vomits
blood
Allium cepa L.
Onion
Sibuyas
Sibuyas
Leaves
Poultice
Oral thrush
Malvaceae
Ceiba pentandra (L.)
Gaertn.
Silk cotton tree
, Kapok tree Kapok Kapok Leaves
Pound 7 leaves
and apply on
the inflamed
area.
Inflammation
Pterocymbium
tinctorium Merr. - Taloto Thelloto Trunk
Poultice- Scrape
t
he trunk thrice,
put on the
wound and
secure with a
bandage or
cloth
Fresh wound
Meliaceae
Lansium domesticum
Correa Langsat Lansones Buwahan Trunk
Infusion- Scrape
the trunk 3x
and put 3/4
glass water and
let it stay for
half an hour.
Drink 3x a day
wit
h or without
meal. Do this as
needed.
Hypertension/ High blood
pressure
Tinospora rumphii
Boerl. Heavenly elixir
Makabu
hay Patawali Stem
Pound enough
size of the stem
and apply
several times
Itchiness
Moraceae
Ficus sp. - - Menaol Leaves
Put 3 leaves on
the forehead.
Always change
when the leaves
are already dry.
Fever
Ficus benjamina L. Weeping fig
Balete Nunok Trunk
Poultice-
Pound, apply
and secure with
a cloth
Sprain
Ficus heteropoda Miq
- - Thetanek Trunk
Infusion-Scrape
the trunk many Tuberculosis
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times and put in
a glass of water.
Take the
infusion
regularly.
Ficus heteropoda Miq
- - Thetanek Trunk
Infusion- Soak
small slices in a
glass of water
for several
minutes. Drink
only once.
Antibiotic after bleeding
Musaceae
Musa textilis Nee Manila hemp
Abaka Abaka Stem
Heat a small
portion of the
stem and roll
over on the
paralyzed part.
Paralysis
Musa sapientum Banana Saging Saging Young
leaves
Wrap around
the child’s body.
Change when
dry.
High grade fever-
children
Musa sapientum L. var.
cinerea (Blco.) Teod. Banana Latundan Solibadyu Fruit
Eat including
the fiber Heart failure
Musa sapientum L. var.
cinerea (Blco.) Teod. Banana Saging Solibadyu Leaves
Pound plenty
leaves and
apply on the
affected part
often.
Shingles
Myrtaceae
Psidium guajava L. Guava Bayabas Bayabas Leaves
Decoction- Boil
plenty leaves
with enough
water and use
the decoction to
wash the
wound as
needed.
Wound
Syzgium malaccense
(L.) Malay apple
Makopa Tual Trunk
Wash the inner
part and eat
until needed.
Chew a portion
of
the inner part
of the trunk.
Swallow the
juice.
Cough
Oxalidaceae
Biophytum sensitivum
(L.) DC - - Guyengham
Leaves
Spread and mix
leaves with the
seedlings prior
to planting.
Spread the
leaves all over
the field and
crops prior to
harvest.
Ritual on planting and
harvesting rice
Piperaceae
Piper betle L. Betel Ikmo Thalon Leaves
Heat 5 leaves
over low fire
and apply on
the back and
chest
Cough
Piper aduncum L. Spiked
pepper - Thalon-
thalon Roots
Decoction- Boil
3 pieces 7
inches roots
with enough
water. Gargle
some and drink
the remaining.
Do this as
Toothache
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needed.
Piper aduncum L. Spiked
pepper - Thalon-
thalon
Young
leaves
Pound and
squeeze the
juice on the
wound only
once
Fresh wound
Piper interruptum - - Thalon
gekbek Leaves
Pound leaves
,mix with lime
powder and
apply on the
affected area
often
Ringworm
Rubiaceae
Psychotria velutina
Elmer - - Dlebalud Trunk
Decoction-
Scrape the
inner part and
boil with water.
Drink until the
bleeding stops.
Hemmorhage
Psychotria velutina
Elmer - - Dlebalud Roots
Wash a small
root and eat.
Repeat the
procedure until
the bleeding
stops
Hemmorhage
Schizaeaeceae
Lygodium sp. - - Nitoan miha
Roots
Wash roots and
eat regularly. “Pagan”
Selaginella delicatula
(Desv. ex. Poir.) - - Dendunay Leaves
Heat enough
leaves until
burnt. Apply
powder around
the wound.
Severe wound on the breast,
Shingles
Smilaceae
Smilax bracteata Presl.
Sarsaparilla
vine - Banag Roots
Decoction- Boil
with enough
roots and drink
often.
“Pagan”
Solanaceae
Datura metel L. Thorn apple
Katsubong Gintelong Seeds
Heat the seeds
in a pot covered
with coconut
shell with a
hole. Sip the
fume through a
straw and spit
on a paper
afterwards. Do
this several
times.
Toothache
Urticaceae
Leucosyke capitellata
(Poir) Wedd. - - Glombilan Stem
Eat a small
portion until
needed
Cough
Verbenaceae
Stachytarpheta
jamaicensis (L.) Vahl.
Bastard
vervain
Kandila
kandilaan Dlompereng
Young
leaves
Pound 3 young
leaves and
apply directly
on the wound.
Always change
the poultice
when dry.
Wound after being
circumcised
Gmelina arborea Roxb.
Gmelina - Gemelina Young
leaves
Put 3 leaves on
the area.
Always change
when dried
Back pain
Zingeberaceae
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Curcuma longa Turmeric
Luyang dilaw
Dluya
thembaga Rhizome
Infusion-Soak
rhizomes in a
lukewarm
water. Apply
the infusion on
the affected
part.
Arthritis
Kaempferia galanga L.
Resurrec
tion lily Gisol Gisol Rhizome Poultice Deeply punctured
Costus speciosus
(J. Koenig) Sm. Spiral ginger
- Tiwasi Leaves
Decoction- Boil
2 glasses of
leaves with
ample water.
Drink often.
Cough, Diabetes
Table 1b. List of medicinal plants the Subanen tribe uses in combination with other herbal plants
Scientific Name
Family
Local/ Subanen
Name
Plant Part/s
Used
Preparation and
Application
Medicinal
Uses
1. Friesodielsia latifolia
(Ho
ok.f. & Thomson) Steenis
2. Solanum cumingii
1. Annonaceae
2. Solanaceae
1. Mhemot balu
2. Ghebul gusa Roots
Infusion- Gather enough
bark measuring 10 inches
long and 5 inches wide
and 5-10 inches roots.
Slice into small pieces.
Add ample amount of tap
water and let it stay until
change in color is
observed. Drink the
infusion regularly for 3
consecutive nights.
Dysmenorrhea
1. Friesodielsia latifolia
(Hook.f. & Thomson) Steenis
2. Alstonia scholaris (L.)
3. Radermachera
sp.
4. Flemingia strobilifera (L.)
W.F. Alton
5. Ficus botryocarpa Miq. var.
botryocarpa
6. Solanum sp
.
7. Laportea sp.
1. Annonaceae
2. Apocynaceae
3. Bignoniaceae
4. Fabaceae
5. Moraceae
6. Solanaceae
7. Urticaceae
1. Mhemot balu
2. Malogatas
3.Phelobenayan
4. Kolipes
5. Busyong
6. Thelong Subanen
7. Dlingeting
1. Roots
2. Trunk
3.
Roots 4.
Roots
5. Trunk
6. Roots
7. Roots
Decoction- Boil 10 inches
long and 5 inches wide
bark and 5-
10 inches roots
in an ample amount of
water. Drink 1/2 glass
often.
Cancer
1. Areca catechu L 2.
Cordyline fruticosa
(L.) A.Chev.
3. Scleria scrobiculata Nees
and Meyen 4.
Urena lobata
L.
5. Donax cannaeformis (G.
Forst.) K
6. Piper betle L
1. Arecaceae
2. Asparagaceae
3. Cyperaceae
4. Malvaceae
5. Manantaceae
6. Piperaceae
1. Maan
2. Guila
la
3. Thelid
4. Dlelupang
5. Bemban
6. Thelon
1. Fruit 2.
Roots 3.
Roots 4.
Roots 5.
Roots
6.Leaves
Slice the fruit of maan and
the roots 7 times and
wrap in a thelon
leaf. Chew
and spit the chewed
residue into the patient.
"Bulong Pagan"
1. Friesodielsia latifolia
(Hook.f. &
Thomson) Steenis
2. Pinanga insignis Becc.
1. Annonaceae 2.
Arecaceae
1. Mhemot balu
2. Shelawag
1. Roots
2. Roots
Decoction- Boil enough
roots with ample amount
of water. Drink often.
Hypertension
1. Mangifera indica
L.
2. Alstonia scholari
s (L.)
3. Morinda citrifolia L.
4. Arcangelisia flava L
1.Anacardiaceae
2. Apocynaceae
3. Rubiaceae
4.Menispermaceae
1. Mangga (native)
2.Malogatas
3. Galig
4. Lethang
1. Roots 2.
Trunk 3.
Roots
4.Leaves
Infusion- Add enough hot
water to enough parts
mentioned. Drink as many
as often
Decoction- Boil enough
parts mentioned with
sufficient water. Drink as
many often.
Hepatitis
1. Justicia gendarussa
Burm F.
2. Cratoxylum sumatranum
(Jack) Blume
1. Acanthaceae
2. Hypericaceae
1.Selimbangon
2.Phenggulingan Young leaves
Put the leaves on the
forehead.
Anti-
convulsant
1. Justicia gendarussa Burm F.
2. Friesodielsa latifolia (Hook
& Thomson) Steenis
1. Acanthaceae
2. Annonaceae
1. Selimbangon
2. Mhemot balu Roots Decoction- Boil enough
clean roots. Drink often. "Pagan"
1. Areca catechu
L. 2.
Piper betle
L.
3. Selaginella delicatula
(Desv.
1. Arecaceae
2. Piperaceae
3. Schizaeaeceae
1. Maan
2. Thalon
3. Dendunay
1. Fruit
2. Leaf
3. Roots
Slice the roots and the
fruit into small pieces and
wrap them with a leaf.
Early stage of
cancer
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ex. Poir.)
Add lime, get a little
portion, and chew
properly. Massage in a
circular manner around
the breast without
connecting the starting
and the end points. Spit
the residue on the affected
area. Do this regularly.
1. Osmoxylon
diversifolium
2. Flemingia strobilifera (L.)
W.F. Alton
2. Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.
1. Araliaceae
2. Fabaceae
2. Malvaceae
1. Gulo-
ulo
2. Kolipes
2. Kapok
Young leaves
Poultice- Pound leaves,
wrap with a banana leaf,
heat over low fire and
apply.
To reduce
internal
inflammation
1. Asclepias curassavica L.
2. Morinda citrifolia L.
1. Apocynaceae
2. Rubiaceae
1. Gapas-apas
2. Galig
1. Roots
2. Trunk
Decoction- Boil with
water, drink as often
Leukemia,
Hepatitis
1. Friesodielsa latifolia (Hook
f. & Thomson) Steenis
2. Areca catechu
L.
3. Scleria scrobiculata Nees
and Meyen
4. Piper betle L.
1. Annonaceae
2. A
recaceae
3. Cyperaceae
4. Piperaceae
1. Mhemot balu
2. Maan
3. Thelid
4. Thelon
1. Roots
2. Fruit
3. Roots
4. Leaf
Slice the fruit and roots 7x
into smaller pieces and
wrap with a Piper betle L.
leaf. Add lime powder,
chew. Spit the residue to
the patient.
"Bulong Pigis"
1. Osmoxylon diversifolium
2. Flemingia strobilifera (L.)
W.F. Alton
3. Ceiba pentandra
(L.) Gaertn.
4. Musa sapientum L.
1. Araliaceae
2
. Fabaceae
3
. Malvaceae
4. Musaceae
1. Gulo-ulo
2. Kolipes 3.
Kapok 4.
Saging
1. Young
leaves 2.
Young leaves
3. Young
leaves
4.Mature leaf
Poultice-Slightly pound
the leaves, add little salt,
wrap with a banana leaf,
and heat over low fire for
few minutes. Apply on the
area.
Mayoma,
Cancer
1. Homalomena philippinensis
Engl. 2.
Leucosyke capitellata Wedd.
1. Araceae
2. Urticaceae
1. Phayaw
2. Glombilan Stem
Make a necklace out of the
thin outer layer of stem
and put around the child's
neck.
Colds-children
1. Voacanga megacarpa Merr.
2. Morinda citrifolia . L
1. Apocynaceae
2. Rubiaceae
1. Thepalak
2. Galig Trunk
Scrape the trunk 7x and
apply directly on the area.
Inflammation
1. Blumea balasamifera
D.C.
2. Zingiber officinale L.
1. Asteraceae
2. Zingeberaceae
1. Dlebulan
2. Dluya Mature leaves
Decoction- Boil and wash
the body with a lukewarm
decoction before sleeping.
To avoid
varicose vein
1. Homalomena philippinensis
Engl. 2.
Jatropha gossipifolia L.
1. Araceae 2.
Euphorbiaceae
1. Phayaw
2. Dlegasi Stem
Make a necklace out of the
thin outer layer and wear
on the child's neck.
Colds-children
1. Anona muricata L.
2. Mycetia javanica Reinw.
ex.Korth
1. Annonaceae
2. Rubiaceae
1. Malabanos
2. Ghiboyen Young leaves
Pound and apply directly
on the area Rabies
1. Cordia dichotoma
Forst. f.
2. Homonoia riparia Lour
1. Boraginaceae
2.Euphorbiaceae
1. Nonang
2. Mhemagos tubig
1. Trunk
2. Roots
Decoction- Boil to attain
strong decoction. Drink
1/2 glass of decoction
often.
“Pagan”
1. Cordia dichotoma Forst. f.
2.. Caesalpinia sappan
L.
3. Saccharum violaceum
Tussac 4.
Musa sp.
1. Boraginaceae
2.
Fabaceae
3
. Graminae
4. Musaceae
1. Nonang
2.
Sibukaw
3
. Thebu menubo
4. Thedyaw pula
1.Trunk
2.Trunk
3.Stem
4.Roots
Decoction- Boil and drink
often for 3 days Tuberculosis
1. Jatropha curcas
L.
2. Sesbania grandiflora L.
1.Euphorbiaceae
2. Fabaceae
1. Tuba-
tuba
2. Thori
1. Stem 2.
Trunk
Infusion- Scrape the inner
part, add enough water,
and drink as water.
Amoebiasis
1. Melanolepsis
multiglandulosa
Rchb.& Zoll.
2. Azfelia rhomboidea
(Blanco)
Vidal
3. Donax cannaeformis (G.
Forst)
4. Poikilospermum suaveolens
(Blume) Merr.
1.Euphorbiaceae
2. Fabaceae
3.Manantaceae
4. Moracae
1. Ghalem
2. Glonghigi
3. Bemban
4. Nopol
Trunk
Poultice- Scrape inner
portion, squeeze the juice
and spread on the area in
a downward direction.
Wrap in a cloth, soak in
hot water and massage on
the area.
Scabies
1. Mimosa pudica L.
2. Biophytum sensitivum (L.)
DC
3. Breynia cernva (Poir.) Mull.
Arg.
1. Fabaceae 2.
Oxalidaceae
3.Phyllantha
ceae
1. Selompatay
2. Guyengham
3. Thetulog
Shoot
Hang the shoots on the
hammock
or put under the
infant’s pillow.
To stop an
infant from
crying
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1. Flemingia strobilifera (L.)
W.F. Alton
2. Coleus aromaticus
Benth.
3. Leucosyke capitellata Wedd.
1. Fabaceae
2. Lamiaceae
3. Urticaceae 1. Kolipes
2
. Gliganu
3. Glombilan
1. Roots 2.
Young and/or
mature leaves
3. Trunk
Decoction- Pound leaves
and boil with roots with
enough water. Drink 1/3
glass a day. Eat small
portion of sliced trunk
often.
Cough
1. Vigna radiata
(L.) R. Wiezer
2. Zingiber zerumbet (L.)
Smith
1. Fabaceae
2. Zingeberaceae
1. Bana
2. Thembak
1. Young
leaves
2. New shoot
Pound and apply on the
area
Pulls out deep
puncture
1. Persea americana Mill.
Gaertn. 2. Citrus
decumana L. 3.
Crysophyllum cainito L.
1. Lauraceae
2. Rutaceae
3. Sapotaceae
1. Abokado
2. Buongon
3. Star apple
1. Trunk
2. Trunk
3. Trunk
Infusion- Scrape, put in a
glass, add hot water, and
drink until diarrhea stops.
Diarrhea
1. Lansium domesticum Correa
2. Citrus aurantiifolia
(Christm.) Swingle
3. Chrysophyllum cainito L.
1. Meliaceae
2. Rutaceae
3. Sapotaceae
1. Buwahan
2. Gasem
3. Star apple
Young leaves
and trunk
Decoction- Boil with
ample water, drink until
the pain disappears.
Stomachache
1. Lansium domesticum Correa
2. Citrus aurantiifolia
(Christm.) Swingle
3. Chrysophyllum cainito L.
1. Meliaceae
2. Rutaceae
3. Sapotaceae
1. Buwahan
2. Gasem
3. Star apple
Young leaves
and trunk
Decoction- Boil with
ample water and drink
until the pain disappears
Stomachache
1. Syzgium cuminii
2. Citrus decumana
L.
1. Myrtaceae
2. Rutaceae
1. Lumboy
2. Buongon Roots
Decoction- Boil roots (the
length depends on the
number of letters of the
patient’s name, 1 letter is
1 inch) with water and
drink gradually.
Diarrhea
1.
Curcuma longa
2. Kaempferia galanga L. Zingeberaceae
1. Dluya thembaga
2. Gisol Rhizome
Decoction- Boil handful of
dluya thembaga and half a
handful of gisol's rhizome
with an ample amount of
water. Drink gradually
Goiter
Total No. of Family- 41, Total No. of Genus-39, Total No. of Species- 89
Traditional Use of Herbal Plants
Based on the data recorded, medicinal plants are used to treat the most common or prevalent ailments
which are the respiratory-related diseases such as cough, cold, and tuberculosis. This is followed by
circulatory system-related diseases (such as hypertension and heart problems), cuts and wounds, gastro-
intestinal disorders (diarrhea, diarrhea with or without vomiting, stomachache, and amoebiasis), and
muscle discomfort. Other diseases indicated are diabetes, dermatological problems, toothache, kidney
problems, cancer, and inflammations.
Some plants are also used to treat local ailments such as “pagan” and “pigis”. “Pagan” is most common to
women after child birth. This is described by the tribe as cause of doing and carrying heavy chores and
loads after giving birth. This is characterized by chills, severe fever, and headache, weakness of the body,
and body pain. “Pigis is described as sudden feeling of illness, nauseous, body pain, and stomachache. This
is believed to be caused by an accidental contact with the unseen elements. In addition, the Subanen also
used plants for healing rituals and practices such as during planting and harvesting of rice where the
leaves of “guyengham” are spread and mixed with the seedlings prior to planting. Similarly, the leaves of
“guyengham” are spread all over the crops prior to harvest.
Plant Parts Used
Based on the survey, the leaves (30%) are the most frequently used plant part for herbal medicine
(Figure 2). This is followed by stem/ trunk (28%), roots (28 %), fruits and seeds (4 %), rhizomes/ bulbs
(4 %), juice/ sap (4%) , and whole plant (1%). This result suggests that the continuous utilization of the
stem/trunk and roots, although only small portions are utilized can lead to over utilization if not given
attention.
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Figure 2. Plant Parts Utilized by the Subanen of Lapuyan.
Preparation Methods
The preparation and application vary based on the type of ailment treated. There were eight types of
preparations recorded (Figure 3). Decoction (30%) was the most employed preparation, followed by
pounding (20%), chewing (13%), gathering or picking of plant parts applied directly (13%), infusion
(10%), preheating (6%), and poultice (4%).
Figure 3. Methods of Preparation of the Medicinal Plants.
Mode of Administration
The prepared herbal plant materials are administered internally or externally depending on the plant
species and type of ailment. Internal administration (51.43%) is more frequently employed than the
external application (48.57%). Drinking (40%) is the most commonly used mode of internal application,
followed by eating (10%), and chewing and swallowing (2%). In external administration, direct
application of plant parts is usually employed where fresh or pounded plant parts are directly applied on
the affected area. Smelling, sipping the fume, and as materials for rituals and practices are the least
common way of using the medicinal plants. Thus, the most common administration route is oral, followed
by cutaneous and the least is nasal administration.
Diversity in Growth Forms/ Habit of Medicinal Plants
As shown in Figure 4, the total plant species (n=89), 33 species ( 37.08%) used are trees, 20 species are
herbs (22.47%), 20 species are shrub (22.47%), nine species are vines (10.11 %), six species are grass
(6.74%) , two species are palm, and two species are fern (2.25%).
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Figure 4. Plant Habit or Growth Form of the Medicinal Plants
DISCUSSION
Traditional knowledge on the utilization of plants is maintained by indigenous societies in the world.
Indigenous people are using their traditional knowledge in healing different diseases. Traditionally, tribal
communities also rely on shamans or gbelyans who are traditional healers who belong to the same tribe
to provide herb lore to heal sickness who they believe to have communication to the world of spirits.
There are still many rural areas today having local shamans or gbelyans to help them cure ailments and
perform some rituals [12]. They usually opt to use plants in treating diseases since modern medicine and
health care services are very expensive nowadays.
Various studies have shown that there is an existence of considerable amount and wide varieties of
indigenous ethnopharmacological knowledge in the different parts of the world [13]. Many efforts have
been made to document and publish traditional knowledge since there is a growing threat on the loss of
this knowledge in this modern era. This might be due to the fact that the information on the use of herbal
plants has been passed from one generation to the next through oral tradition only. Furthermore, the lack
of traditional knowledge of the younger generation makes the knowledge decline and obsolete [14].
The Subanen communities of Lapuyan have been practicing and using traditional knowledge since they
believe that plants heal in a very effective way without spending any single centavo. They also believe
that plants, like humans, have spirits that must be respected and valued. This belief urges the tribe to
utilize plants even more in a useful and less destructing way, which is also due to practicality and
economic instability they are facing. Furthermore, because Lapuyan is far from the city proper and has
limited access to modern health care services, most of the Subanen people don’t have any option but to
rely on the use of traditional medicine. The informants were able to report a total of 89 medicinal plant
species (two are ferns) having medicinal values which they use to treat various range of diseases. This
number of species recorded demonstrates the depth of the traditional knowledge on indigenous herbal
plants and their uses.
The 89 species of plants documented comprise 39 genera under 41 families and are mostly represented
by Family Fabacae with seven species, followed by Euphorbiaceae with six species, and Graminae and
Moraceae both with five plant species. The other families include Acanthaceae, Anacardiaceae,
Annonaceae, Apiaceae, Apocynaceae, Araceae, Araliaceae, Arecaceae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae,
Bignoniaceae, Boraginaceae, Cucurbutaceae, Cyperaceae, Dilleneaceae, Hypericaceae, Lamiaceae,
Lauraceae, Lilaceae, Malvaceae, Manantaceae, Meliaceae, Menispermaceae, Musaceae, Myrtceae,
Oxalidaceae, Piperaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Sapotaceae, Schizaeaeceae, Smilaceae, Solanaceae,
Urticaceae, Verbanaceae, and Zingiberaceae. High number of documented species are part of the
extraordinarily high floral diversity ranging from 10,000 to 14,000 plant species of vascular and non-
vascular plants in the country [15].
The leaves are the most frequently used plant part followed by stem/trunk and roots. The leaves are the
most abundant part of the plant that are easier to collect and can also be regenerated [16]. However, the
continuous utilization of stem/trunk and roots although only small portions are used can lead to over
utilization if not given attention. Importantly, the use of more trees and herbs may hint at the fact that the
pressure due to harvesting herbal medicines is significant on plant diversity in the area [13].
The tribe prepared medicine using fresh plant parts through decoction, the most common technique,
wherein plants parts are boiled with water and the crude extract is used. Infusion is a method where the
plant parts are allowed to be soaked or suspended in water for a certain period of time. Juice extraction is
prepared by cutting the succulent parts and the juice or saps are being collected. The chewing method
involves plant parts to be chewed and spat or swallowed afterwards. Poultice is a method of preparation
where plant parts are pounded and are wrapped with a fresh banana leaf or Piper betle (L.) leaves or
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piece of clean cloth before applying to the affected area. Pounding to soften plant parts and extract juice is
another method of preparation while preheating is to heat fresh plant parts over low fire before applying
to the affected area. Plant parts are also applied directly. Among the eight preparations, decoction was
found to be the most widely used preparation (30%). Heating the aqueous extracts is reported to be the
most beneficial which might probably be due to the added extracting capacity of active phytoconstituents
when heat is applied in the preparation [17].
In the utilization of plants by the Subanen, there is a need to practice sustainable resource management.
Moreover, the documentation of this rich knowledge is important and this will play a significant role on
the lives of younger generation and to the world of pharmaceuticals for the development of plant-based
drugs.
CONCLUSION
There are 89 medicinal plant species recorded which the Subanen tribe uses to treat various diseases
such as respiratory-related diseases, among others, and are prepared through decoction, infusion,
extraction of juice/ sap, chewing of plant parts, poultice, pounding, preheating, and gathering of plant
parts. Medicinal plants are either taken internally or externally depending on the type of ailment and the
plant species. Moreover, the study showed that the Subanen tribe of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur
possesses rich traditional knowledge and healing using medicinal plants continues to be practiced
especially by the elders. Furthermore, this ethnobotanical documentation is essential on the preservation
of the knowledge which will prevent knowledge degradation due to modernization and will serve as a
database for future researches on the development of plant-based drugs.
.
AKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors express their gratitude to DOST-ASTHRDP and DOST-PCIEERD-BCDA for the research grant.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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CITATION OF THIS ARTICLE
Pizon J R L, Nuñeza O M, Uy M M, Senarath W T P S K. Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants Used by the Subanen of
Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur. Bull. Env. Pharmacol. Life Sci., Vol 5[5] April 2016: 53-67
Pizon et al