CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Medicinal plants play a crucial role in health care needs of people around the
world especially in developing countries (Bekalo et al., 2009, Rao et al., 2004). In 1993
to 2004 estimated, four billion people or 80% of the worlds population presently use
herbal medicine or still depending on the use of traditional medicine derived from plants.
(WHO, 2004; Cunningham, 1993).
People living in remote areas depend more extensively on traditional medicine as
modern systems are out of reach (Mahonge et al., 2006, de Silva 1997, Bodeker, 1994,
Sofowora, 1993, Bhat et al., 1990). Medicinal plants play a key role in the development
and advancement of modern studies by serving as a starting point for the development of
novelties in drugs (Pramono, 2002). Approximately 25% of drugs used in modern
Pharmacopoiea are derived from plants and many others are synthetic analogues built on
prototype compounds isolated from plants and it was establishes that the total number of
medicinal trade is about 2500 species (Schippman et al., 2002). The demands of the
majority of the people in developing countries for medicinal plants have been met by
indiscriminate harvesting of spontaneous flora including those in forest and over
exploitation of these wild sources has led to many species being extinct, threated or
endangered (Omobuwajo et al., 2008)
Republic Act 8423: "Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997."An act creating the Philippine Institute of traditional and Alternative Health Care
(PITAHC) to accelerate the development of traditional and alternative health care in the
Philippines, providing for a traditional and alternative health care development fund and
for other purposes-To improve the quality and delivery of health care services to the
Filipino people through the development of traditional and alternative health care and its
integration into the national health care delivery system.
Palawan is a last frontier for conservation in the Philippines. The island boasts
half of its original primary forests, some of the oldest and most diverse in Asia. The
forests of Palawan are understudied and diminishing rapidly, however. Palawan is often
called the Philippines' last biodiversity frontier because it still retains more than 50
percent of its original forest cover, and harbors vast stretches of old growth forests on its
mountainous slopes. Nearly 20 percent of the population is composed of indigenous
ethnic groups who depend on subsistence fishing and farming for their livelihoods, and
manage a significant portion of Palawans natural resources under their ancestral domain
claims. (http://www.conservation.org/global/philippines/where/palawan)
The Philippine Congress passed the Republic Act 7611, known as the Strategic
Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act, which serves as the framework for the
biodiversity and ecological preservation of the area and encompasses the terrestrial and
forestlands, the marine or coastal area, and the tribal ancestral lands.
Aborlan is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. It lies
in a vast plain between the Sulu Sea and the mountains. It is located 69 kilometers south
of Puerto Princesa City. It was established in 1910. It became a regular municipality in
1951. The towns name was either derived from abel man, a legendary tree belonging to
the gods who inhabited the place, or from another story of two men went fishing for the
first time in the town and were frightened by the rise and fall of the tide, so they asked

abenlan?. Aborlan is politically subdivided into 19 barangays; Apo-Aporawan, Apocapoc, Aporawan, Barake, Cabigaan, Gogognan, Iraan, Isaub, Jose Rizal, Mabini,
Magbabadil, Plaridel, Ramon Magsaysay, Sagpangan, San Juan, Tagpait, Tigman,
Poblacion, Culandanum and Marikit. (Source verbatim from: www.palawanmag.com/)
Puerto Princesa, Palawan is the home of the Tagbanwa. Their language may also
be known as Aborlan Tagbanwa or even Apurawnon, and is classified under the other
Palawanic languages. However, it has some verbal similarities with Cuyonon, a Bisayan
language. Tagbanwas are also said to have their own script. The Tagbanwas are found in
the western and eastern coastal areas of central Palawan. Their name means "people of
the world". They are concentrated in the municipalities of Aborlan, Quezon and the City
of Puerto Princesa. Two other ethinics groups called "Tagbanwa" (i.e. the Central
Tagbanwa and the Calamian Tagbanwa) are from a different family of languages and
should not be confused the Tagbanwas discussed here. These are found Coron Island,
Northern Palawan, Busuanga Island and the Baras coast. The Central Tagbanwa language
is dying out as the younger generations are learning Cuyonon and Tagalog. The
Tagbanwas speak the Tagbanwa language and has several sub-dialects. They are able to
comprehend Tagalog, and, depending on their proximity to neighboring groups, Batak,
Cuyonen and Calamian languages.
They usually dress like the non-tribal lowlanders. However, elder men prefer to
wear G-string while tilling or fishing. Houses are built from available forest materials.
Bamboo and wood are used for the house's frame anahaw leaves are used to create walls
and the roof and bamboo slats are used as flooring. Their basic social unit is the nuclear
family which is composed of a married couple and their children.
Arcangelisi flava Merr. (menispermaceae), a liana plant widely distributed in
Kalimantan has been traditionally used by local community for the treatment of several
diseases, such as malaria, dysentery, and fever, as well as a tonic agent. Scientifically, this
plant has been investigated to possess several alkaloids such as berberine, palmatine,
jatrorrhizine, and columbamine. The main compound, berberine, has been claimed to be
therapeutically useful for the treatment of malaria and as an antimicrobial agent. Several
studies have reporter the antimicrobial activity of Arcangelisia flava. Maryani et al.
reported that Arcangelisia flava root is effective in medication on bacterial infection of
Aeromonas hydrophilia. crude extract of this plant was also active against
Staphylococcus aureus and bacillus cereus. (Matsuura, H., Takahashi, K., Yamasaki, M.,
Yamato, O., Maede, Y., Katakura, K., & Yoshihara, t. (2005).
The origin and geographic distribution of Arcangelisia consists of only 2 species.
Yellow-fruited moonseed is widely distributed from Hainan (China), Indo-China,
southern peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, the
Philippines, Sulawesi, the northern Moluccas to New Guinea. (Matsuura, H., Takahashi,
K., Yamasaki, M., Yamato, O., Maede, Y., Katakura, K. & Yoshihara, t. (2005).
The Uses of Yellow-fruited moonseed is mainly used medicinally. In Peninsular
Malaysia, a decoction of the stem is taken internally for jaundice, worms, indigestion and
other intestinal complaints. The smoke from the burning wood is inhaled for troubles of
the mucous membrane of the nose and mouth. In the Philippines, yellow-fruited
moonseed is a popular antiseptic: a decoction of the wood is used to clean wounds, ulcers
and other skin irritations. Traditional applications include the use of a decoction or
infusion of the stem as a stomachic, febrifuge, expectorant, tonic, and emmenagogue or

abortivum (depending on the quantity administered). In Indonesia, the stems are sold as
'kayu seriawan', meaning 'wood against sprue'. The sap which flows abundantly from cut
stems is drunk against fever and sprue. In Thailand, the stems are used against
indigestion, as a tonic and emmenagogue; the flowers are used to treat dysentery. In the
Philippines, the Moluccas and New Guinea a yellow dye is extracted from the woody
stem. The use of the fruits as a fish poison is questionable. (Matsuura, H., Takahashi, K.,
Yamasaki, M., Yamato, O., Maede, Y., Katakura, K. & Yoshihara, t. (2005).
Yellow-fruited moonseed is considered an interesting medicinal plant and may
become important in cancer control. The development of proper biotechnological
methods to produce alkaloids in tissue culture might provide the tools for large-scale
production of alkaloids from Arcangelisia flava. (Matsuura, H., Takahashi, K., Yamasaki,
M., Yamato, O., Maede, Y., Katakura, K. & Yoshihara, t. (2005).
Statement of the Problem
The aim of this study is to determine the uses and the respondents perceived
effectiveness of Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava) in the selected barangay of Aborlan,
Palawan.
In specifically sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents as to:
1.1 age;
1.2 gender;
1.3 civil status;
1.4 residence;
1.5 ethnicity;
1.6 educational attainment;
1.7 occupation; and
1.8 income?
2. What are the uses of Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava) plants as to:
2.1 ailments addressed as to cluster of signs and symptoms?
3. What are the Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava) parts used?
4. What are the different as to:
4.1 preparations;
4.2 dose and frequency; and
4.3 route (or method of administration)?
5. What are the parameters when to stop taking the Abutra (Arcangelisia
Flava)?
6. What other adjunct treatment used with this plant in addressing the
ailments?
7. What other plants used to combine with this Abutra (Arcangelisia
Flava) remedy?
8. What are the methods used in:
8.1 preservation for further use
8.2 propagation of the Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava)
9. What are the beliefs and practices of the respondents regarding the use
of Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava)?
10. What is the respondents perceive effectiveness on the use of Abutra
(Arcangelisia Flava)?

Significance of the Study

This research gave information on the level of awareness on the uses and
perceived effectiveness of Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava) in aborlan, Palawan.
Particularly the result of this study may be beneficial to the following groups:
For the Nursing Professionals, the result of this study will provide data about the
awareness of people in a similar barangay about the Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava) that
would help in assessment phase in order to make a plan to give remedies in common
ailments that are easily accessible, available and cost efficient. It would also give them
idea on areas that would need enhancement in the use of alternative medicine.
For the Community Health Nurses, this will give them knowledge about the level
of awareness of people in the barangay about the approved herbal medicine and this will
give them the chance to further enhance their skills in providing information and the
quality of service they would give to the community people.
For the People of the Community, the residents of the community will have
increased awareness with the current information herbal medicine which will be helpful
in their daily living.
For the Researchers, this would give them knowledge regarding the level of
awareness of people in the use and preparation of herbal medicine.
For the Government Officials, this would give them information on what areas in herbal
medicine need further information dissemination and they could use this as a basis for
developing programs that would protect the natural resources as well as the safety of the
consumers.
For the Student Nurses, this will help them to come up with a valid assessment of
the client that will help in giving appropriate nursing interventions that is accessible and
available to the community people in using alternative medicine specifically herbal
medicine.
Scope and Delimitation
This study was delimited to the uses and perceived effectiveness of Abutra
(Arcangelisia Flava) to the Tagbanua indigenes from 18 years old and above living in
selected barangay of Aborlan, Palawan such as: Cabigaan, Cogognon, Mabini,
Magbabadil, Sagpangan, Iraan, Barake and Isaub. To be conducted on October 2015 to
January 2016.