Medicinal Plants used by the Manobo Tribe of Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur, Philippines-an Ethnobotanical Survey

Abstract

Objectives: The Philippine Manobo tribe is historically rich in ethnomedicinal practices and is known to use local names, or “Lunas” (meaning cure), for most medicinal plants. The purpose of this study is to record the traditional practices, the use of medicinal plants, and information from the Agusan Manobo tribe in order to establish the relative significance, consensus, and scope of all medicinal plants used.Methods: An ethnomedicinal survey of medicinal plants was carried out in three selected barangays of Prosperidad City, Agusan del Sur. Ethnomedicinal data were collected through a semi-structured interview, group discussions, and guided field walks from 144 primary informants. Plant importance was calculated using indices such as Family Importance Value (FIV) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC).Results: A total of 40 species belonging to 34 genera and 23 families have been identified as having ethnomedicinal significance. The highest FIV (97.27) in the treatment of body pain, hypertension, and infection was reported for Asteraceae. The most commonly cited species of medicinal plants were Anodendron borneense King and Gamble and Thottea sp. (RFC = 0.50), which is primarily used for treating gastrointestinal infections.Conclusion: The findings of this study show the rich ethnomedicinal tradition and knowledge of the cultural community of Agusan Manobo in Prosperidad City. Thus, for the potential management and conservation strategies of such plant genetic resources, recording this traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and practices is highly important. This indigenous legacy of awareness regarding medicinal plants will open pathways for future drug discovery to enhance global healthcare.

Keywords: Agusan Manobo; Ethnobotany; Medicinal plants; Prosperidad; Survey