Folk medicine History of medicine in the Philippines

1 folk medicine

1.1 babaylan
1.2 albularyo
1.3 hilot

1.3.1 manghihilot
1.3.2 magpapaanak


1.4 mangluluop
1.5 manghihila
1.6 mangtatawas
1.7 mediko
1.8 faith healer
1.9 cordilleras shaman

folk medicine

there ten categories of non-medical traditional healers or folk doctors in philippines: babaylan ( religious leader ), albularyo, manghihilot or hilot (the traditional massage therapists ), magpapaanak (the traditional midwife , called hilot), mangluluop, manghihila, mangtatawas, mediko, faith healer, local shaman healers (such cordilleras). folk healers in philippines believe medicinal , healing skills come supernatural being or given them god. practice , methods of curing ailments involves superstitions, recitation of prayers , religious rituals accompanied mediation of holy spirit, herbology, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, , divination. although found active in rural communities, traditional filipino healers can found in small urban , suburban neighborhoods. during spanish times in philippines, spaniards refer folk doctors or traditional mediquillos ( herbal scientists ), herbolarios, , superstitious quacks . called spaniards matanda (the elder ). wrong losers

babaylan

according sociologist , anthropologist marianita girlie c. villariba babaylan woman mystic specialist in fields of culture, religion, medicine , kinds of theoretical knowledge phenomenon of nature. in ancient filipino society, babaylans believed woman had been possessed spirit, or woman had dreams or had encountered life-altering experiences, or woman has inherited role become mystical woman elder babaylan. functions include role of community leaders, warriors, community defenders, priestesses, healers, sages , seers. although babaylans women, there male babaylans, men dressing women able act role of female babaylan.

albularyo

the albularyo (the herbalist , herbolario in spanish) general practitioner , primary dispenser of healthcare in hierarchy of traditional folk doctors in philippines. or knowledgeable in use of medicinal herbs. skill of albularyo commonly handed down 1 generation in family-line, involving apprenticeship. common folk diagnosis patients become sick due supernatural illness-causers such duwende (dwarf), nuno, lamang-lupa (a creature earth or underground or under soil ), tikbalang, or kapre. or includes forms of prayers, such bulong ( whispering prayers) or orasyon (oration or prayer recitation ), while treating patients. albularyos may practice rituals drive away evil spirits, such performance of kanyaw (cutting , bleeding chickens, draining blood on particular perimeters of house), or slaughter of pigs search right type of liver reveal cause of illness. sacrificial offerings used during treatments. albularyos choose treat patients on days of week, such tuesdays , fridays, or on feast days of sto. niño , black nazarene, belief healing powers greater during days.

hilot

the hilot may refer either manghihilot or magpapaanak:

manghihilot

the manghihilot ( massager , folk massage therapist , folk chiropractor ) uses massaging techniques treat sprains, fractures, , other similar conditions affect skeletal system , musculatory system, including ligaments. manghihilot ordained or chosen mediko or ermitanya (a female hermit , teacher , type of high priestess). folk practitioners perform massage , healing sessions under influence of powerful amulets, empowered cane, or nazarene garb . chiropractic techniques utilizes symbolic patterns reminiscent of shape of cross of christ, of crown of thorns, , of hands , feet nailed cross.

magpapaanak

the magpapaanak, other hilot , folk midwife prenatal visits , check-ups pregnant mothers. woman, delivers babies during childbirth , performs ritual called suob (a form of aroma therapy performed while placed under cloak).

mangluluop

the mangluluop folk specialist makes diagnosis based on resulting appearance of burned concoction composed of freshwater shell or saltwater shell (kalanghuga), salt, piece of palm leaves blessed catholic priests during palm sunday, , charcoal resulting coconut shells, coconut midribs. burning of these materials done while placed inside tin plate accompanied prayers , invocations , making of sign of cross 3 times on body of patient. depending on appearance , shape of burned materials, mangluluop refers , sends ill person either albularyo, mediko, or manghihilot further treatment. after ritual , after telling patient folk doctor go next, freshwater or saltwater shell powdered mangluluop , prayerfully applies powder following steps of how make sign of cross on patient s forehead, palms, , plantar arches of feet. remainder of concoction thrown under stairs @ entrance of home prevent evil spirits re-invading house.

manghihila

the manghihila (the puller ) uses technique known panghihila (the pulling ), wherein patient rubbed coconut oil accompanied use of mirror, strips of cellophane paper used wrappers of cigarette boxes, strips of banana frond, or wrappings of medicinal leaves. type of pull felt during massage therapy becomes basis of causes ailment (i.e. smoothness of pull of material used or lingering or hovering or strength of resistance of applied material on specific spot of patient s body).

mangtatawas

the mangtatawas (literally user of tawas ) determines cause , nature of illnesses through use of potassium alum, locally known in philippines tawas 1 of primary ingredients. other materials used in diagnostic procedure candles, eggs, mirrors, plain paper, , paper used rolling cigarettes.

mediko

the mediko folk doctor , specialist combines folk medicine , techniques used in western medicine. or prescribes medications , @ times uses acupuncture treat ailments.

faith healer

filipino faith healers come either spiritist groups, diviners (a group practice divination) or persons saved illnesses or death , had encountered epiphanies or mystical experiences became convinced destined sick people after receiving healing powers bestowed upon them holy spirit or other supernatural beings. of them started albularyo, mediko, or hilot. faith healers psychic healers (faith healers heal patients remotely), whisperers of prayers (whispers prayers on affected part of body of patient), prayer blowers (blows prayers on affected areas of patient s body), anointers rub saliva on affected area of patient, healers hovers crucifixes , icons on body of patient, , psychic surgeons (folk surgeons performs surgery on patient without use of surgical tools).

cordilleras shaman

the shamans philippine cordilleras folk healers heal ailments based on beliefs of people collectively known igorots (includes tribes of bontok, gaddang, ibaloy, ifugao, ilongot, isneg, kalinga, kankana-ey, ikalahan, wak , tinguian). culture believe in rituals involve offering of prayers , sacrifial animals, belief in supreme deities or supreme beings, lesser ranked deities, intermediation seers or human mediums, , pleasing , appeasing anito (spirits of dead, ancestral spirits, or spirits nature) prevent them inducing diseases , misfortunes. cling animism, ceremonies believed cure physical , mental imbalances, counter witchcraft, , leads bountiful harvests. sacrifices, feasts , dances performed form of thanksgiving , entertainment gods , goddesses. other tribal healers dispenses magical amulets use against illnesses , pouring animal blood on human body avoid , escape death.