A Survey on the Ethnomedicinal Plants utilized by the Kankana-ey People of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur

Abstract

This survey aimed to document the ethnomedicinal plants utilized by the Kankana-ey people of Cervantes. Interview and focus group discussions were used with 37 key informants. Findings showed that the Kankana-ey relied on medicinal plants to treat common ailments. It indicates that this survey provides a written record of their ethnobotanical knowledge and practices. There is no standardization in the amount and recommended dosage of prepared medicinal plants. Moreover, most of the prepared herbal plants are taken orally. Elders/healers are the only ones who perform specific ethnic medicinal plants ritual, leading to a gradual decline in existing rituals associated with ethnomedicinal plants. The study suggests that the local government unit and the Indigenous people’s mandatory representative may organize community events to educate residents about the need to conserve and preserve herbal plants and related traditional knowledge. The extension program of the institution may initiate programs on the proper preparation of the ethnomedicinal plants for the key informants. Documentation on the different herbals plants utilized may be considered as well as the rituals perform related to ethnomedicinal plants. Finally, ethnomedicinal plants identified and frequently used in the survey may be subjected to ethnopharmacological and phytochemical study.