Group 2 | CAMe from home: Exploring Filipino Traditional Healing
What is traditional healing?
Traditional healing refers to practices anchored in the belief that supernatural beings possess healing abilities. It also integrates herbal medicine and body-based therapies into its various procedures. In the Philippines, the concept of traditional healing dates back to the babaylans—these were women leaders (or men dressed as women) who served many roles in a tribe. In their role as a healer, they would use their special connection to the spiritual world to invoke spirits for the purpose of treating the ill (Nomoto, 2020). Traditional healing is recognized and accepted for its role in health maintenance and disease treatment and is based on indigenous concepts handed down by generations of healers (WHO, 2002).
Personal Experiences
" I saw him using a herbal substance, maybe some oil, as he tried to massage or correct my rolled ankle. The process was excruciating and I don't even want to experience it again. Despite the pain, I could say that the manghihilot had succesfully treated the swelling in just a short amount of time."
- Rex, on seeking hilot after spraining his ankle.
While those who consider the practice as a source of comfort and relaxation tend to employ the traditional healing services more often.
" My main motivation when coming to a manghihilot is the delight brought after the hilot instead of actually alleviating my condition or entirely curing the illness that I have."
- Charina, on the relaxing effects of hilot.
As we explored our experiences, we were also able to express our opinions and concerns regarding the legitimacy and efficacy of the practice.
" Afterwards, the healer prescribed that I must avoid bathing for three straight days, which, in retrospect, was a bit unhygienic and had no bearing on my symptoms at all. I indeed became well again after a few days of ample rest, though I could not fully attribute my recovery to the manghihilot I visited."
- Chloe, upon reflecting on her only hilot experience
" As a child, I didn't really believe much in traditional healers, and I saw it as an underground and mysterious practice– somewhat sorcery. I still don't believe in supernatural abilities, but I definitely understand the factors on why they are still popular and preferred."
- Patrice, on her perception toward paghihilot.
b. Batak-dungan
" When I was young, I would always look forward to our family's yearly ritual because then I'll get to eat a whole boiled chicken and kakanins as dessert. Little did I know that the ritual was not about eating but it was to strengthen my mother's "dungan" and to protect her from illnesses."
- Marielle, on her personal experience with Batak-dungan
- Refraining from eating certain foods (e.g., chicken and egg)
- External application or paghampol of medicinal plants to one’s stomach area or forehead (e.g., Makabuhay, Turmeric, Ginger)
- Praying for one’s deceased relatives.
" I acknowledge that the appeal of traditional healing towards healing is primarily psychological and spiritual. However, I also find that among the interventions used, the application of medicinal plants in the practice has evident therapeutic impact (for instance, research regarding the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of the plants aforementioned have been established), and if further explored, offers promising potential to community health care."
- Gesra, on her thoughts concerning the potential of traditional healing.
d. Faith Healing
" Personally, I have very mixed feelings about faith healing and using chants to remedy certain diseases. It is hard to discern between right or wrong especially since the evidence and testimonies are unexplainable by science."
- Andrienne, on her feelings regarding faith healing.
Further Information on Traditional Healing
Integration of Traditional Healing in the Healthcare System
Filipinos still continue the belief and practice of traditional healing despite modernization and technological advancement. Based on the 2018 survey, it has been reported that 93% of the Member States in the Western Pacific Region had acknowledged the use of traditional and complementary medicine (WHO, n.d.) It has been part of different cultures that thrived up to the modern age. The healthcare system is also evolving with some healthcare organizations that incorporate traditional healing with conventional ones (Berube, 2015). The World Health Organization recognizes the importance of traditional practices and promotes them through appropriate integration in national health systems. The Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) in the Philippines also advocates them through scientific research and product development (Nomoto, 2020).
Alongside the PITAHC, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) strongly supports the integration of traditional Filipino healing within the practice of modern medicine. SInce 2015, the agency has formulated regulations for the certification of albularyos and other traditional healers in the country, spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) (Rebuya et al., 2020). Moreover, groups of medical doctors — the Doctors for Indigenous Training and Education Networking and Governance (DITENG) being a prominent example — are active in their acknowledgement of and integration of traditional Filipino healing (namely indigenous chiropractic practices and medicines) with the current, modernized healthcare system (Agoot, 2018).
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