CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Medicinal plants also known as medicinal herbs can be defined as the plants that

possess therapeutic properties or exert beneficial pharmacological effect on the human or

animal body. These medicinal plants are considered as a rich resource of ingredients

which can be used in drug development and synthesis. Besides, plants play a critical role

in the development of human cultures around the whole world. (Hassan,2012). Medicinal

plants have a promising future because there are about half million plants around the

world. Most of their medicinal uses have not been investigated yet and could be decisive

in the treatment of the present and future studies (Ahmad Dar, et. al., 2017).

Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before the prehistoric period.

Even today, medicinal plants have been a part of the modern lifestyle of a man. Recently

the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about 80% of people worldwide

rely on herbal medicine for some aspect of their primary health care needs. In fact, the

World Health Assembly accepted the realities that may adhere to traditional medicine for

primary health care, and that medicinal plants have great importance to the health of

individuals and communities (Solivas, 2000).

potential in advancing science and technology must be tapped, especially those that have

been identified to advance the cause of traditional medicine. Our country has been

blessed with rich floral species growing in the forest as well as in rural areas.

Medicinal plants are considerably useful and economically essential (Stary and

Hans, 1998). The conservation and management of those plants is very important, but

conservationists have so far paid attention mainly to 4 species that provides food, forages,

timber, and industrial crops. Attention paid to medicinal plants is still minimal (Natesh,

2001).

Natural/Herbal treatment is still existing in the Meranao community. Where in

fact, Meranao People, especially in Lanao del Sur, are more dependent on the use of

medicinal plants than to modern medicines (syrup, tablets and among others). Even when

one of their family members was admitted to the hospital, they must substitute medicines

from plants aside from the medicine provided by the doctor. This study was conducted to

determine the medicinal plants used by the Meranaos nowadays.

This research was conducted in Tokasan Forest, Brgy. Sawer, Masiu, Lanao del

Sur wherein the medicinal plants in the locality are not fully documented or no official

document and research. Thus, it is imperative to study their uses, treatment, and

preparation. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine, investigate, and identify

medicinal plants and its local uses that can be found at the locality according to Meranao

tradition.
 Statement of the Problem

Despite the pharmaceutical medicines and therapeutic properties that are readily

available in pharmacies and drugstores, traditional medicine through local uses were still

used by people especially those areas near in the forest and other areas dominated by

plants. The study sought to identify the medicinal plants found in Tokasan Forest,

Barangay Sawer, Masiu, Lanao del Sur.

This study sought to provide answer to the following questions; to wit:

1. What are the different medicinal plant species being utilized by Meranao in

Tokasan Forest, Brgy. Sawer Masiu, Lanao del Sur?

2. What are the different uses, traditional methods of preparation and application of

medicinal plants attributed by the Meranao in Tokasan Forest, Brgy. Sawer Masiu,

Lanao del Sur?

3. What is the use-value and relative importance of medicinal plant species being

utilized by these Meranao?

4. Is there a significant relationship in the distribution of this medicinal knowledge of

the respondents and their socio-demographic factors (age, gender, educational

attainment, and civil status)?

Null Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance:

HO1: There is no significant relationship in the distribution of medicinal

knowledge and socio-demographic factors

This study generally aimed to determine and document the medicinal plant

species and its medicinal values as perceived by the local people of Barangay Sawer,

Masiu Lanao del Sur. This study aimed to answer the following objectives; to wit:

1. To identify different medicinal plant species being utilized by Meranao in

Tokasan Forest, Brgy. Sawer Masiu, Lanao del Sur.

2. To identify the different uses, traditional methods of preparation and application

of medicinal plants are attributed by the Meranao in Tokasan Forest, Brgy.

Sawer Masiu, Lanao del Sur.

3. To quantify the use-value and relative importance of medicinal plants species

being utilized by these Meranao.

4. To determine the significant relationship in the distribution of this medicinal

knowledge of the respondents and their socio-demographic factors (age, gender,

educational attainment, and civil status).

Significance of the Study

This study could serve as a reference to the local residents who would want to

know and identify the medicinal values of plants and to the future researchers who would

also want to conduct a study on medicinal plants. The expected result of this study could

be of great importance on the conservation and protection of medicinal vascular plants

with curative values. This study also provides a good data and information to the Local

Government Unit of both Barangay Sawer and the Municipality of Masiu on the list of
medicinal plants available in the area to be included in their future plans such as

Barangay Development Plan (BDP), Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and among

others.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study was conducted at Tokasan Forest, Barangay Sawer, Masiu Lanao del

Sur. The information and data that were gathered focuses only on the identification of the

medicinal plants found in the designated area and what parts being utilized and type of

ailments it can cure and prevent. It was done through a guiding reference book.

However, the determined plant species were not examined in the Pharmacological

laboratories to determine their efficacies.

Originally, the study was supposed to be conducted in the three (3) Sitios of the

Barangay such as Sitio Kompanya, Sitio Tokasan and Sitio Sawer Highway. But due to

the unexpected situation in the area especially during the conduct of the study. The

Chairman of the barangay had informed the researchers to conduct my study in the two

(2) Sitios only (Sitio Komapnya and Sitio Tokasan) for safety purposes.
 Conceptual Framework

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study