The Traditional and
Alternative Medicine
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• After learning the lesson on Traditional and Alternative Medicine, the students
should be able to
• 1. define traditional and alternative medicine
• 2. cite some traditional method practices
• 3. give some traditional medicinal plants and their medicinal value
• 4. point out some traditional practices and their importance
• 5. develop health consciousness , decision making, creativity and innovativeness.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
• It comprises medical aspects of traditional knowledge that developed
generations within various societies before the era of modern medicine
• It is based on indigenous theories, beliefs and experiences that are
handed from generation to generation.
• The knowledge skills and practices of holistic health care, recognized
and accepted for its role in the maintainance of health and the
treatment of diseases.
• The traditional medicine refers to health practices approaches, knowledge
and incorporating plant, based medicines, spiritual therapies , manual
techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat,
diagnose and prevent illness or maintain well being.
Activity 1
• Cite examples of this health practices in Traditional medicine give a
brief explanation of such practices.
TRADITIONAL METHOD PRACTICES
• 1. The HERBS MEDICINES
• * Two types of Herbs
• >> Harmful – those that when held in contact with people or ingested
produce toxins that endanger people.
• >> Beneficial herbs are those that are capable of enhancing body
metabolism and response when ingested.
• How they are prepared
• Herbs medicines are being used in the form of extracts and decoctions
• The source of their effectiveness
• The potency of the herbs to combat diseases is based on the basic component
called phytochemicals which actually determines the specific function and action of
each plant.
• Example : banana leaf lower blood sugar because of its phytochemical called
saponins, anti-inflammatory property because of flavonoids anti-inflammatory
property because of flavonoids , anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects because
of its polyphenols.
SOME TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL
PLANTS IN THE PHLIPPINES
• Akapulco ( Cassia alata)
has antifungal property that cures tinea flava, ring worm infection, athlete”s
foot, scabies infected by fungi
Garlic or bawang (Allium sativum)(
Ability to lower cholesterol level in the blood, effective in hypertension
Yerba Buena (Mentha cordifelia)
Ability to relieve cough , colds , rheumatism, arthritis, headache, swollen gums
• Ampalaya( Mamordica charantia
• effective in treatment diabetes mellitus bec of hypoglycemic activity, good
agent for enhancing red blooed cell
• Sunflower( Helinathus annous Linn)
• Crushed leaves for application over bruise, wounds, ulcers, flowers and dried
leaves for pulmonary diseases, bronchitis, coughs, asthma, dysentery, coughs
• Tea with seeds for headaches, nercous conditions, bronchial diseases , colds
• Activity 2
• Name at least 3 traditional medicinal plants that you know, give brief
description of such plants , how they are use, and their effectiveness as
healing plants.
Other traditional practices
• AYURDEVA
• Traditional hindu system of medicine which is based on the idea of balance
in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal medicine, exercises. Medidation,
physical therapy and yogic breathing.
• OSTEOPATHY
• A branch of medical practice that emphasizes the treatment of medical
disorders through the manipulation and massage of the bones, joints and
mscles.
• CHIROPRACTIC
• Type of drugless healing developed by D. Palmer . This technique is introduced in
1896. The chiropractors use their hands or a small instrument to apply a controlled ,
sudden force to a spinal joint. It is improve spinal motion and improve body;s
physical function..
• NEOROPATHY or Naturo pathetic medicine , system of medicine based on the
healing power of nature. It is a holistic system in which the doctor find cause of
disease by understanding the patient as totally of body, mind and spirit, using variety
of techniques such as nutrition, herbal medicine
• YOGA
• Came from Sanskrit word yui to bind. It is Indian practice that focuses on
the philosophical theory that coordination in mind and body can change a
person’s physical and mental state towards enlightenment
• ACUPUNTURE
• A family procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points using a
variety of techniques , penetrating then skin with thin solid, metallic needle
that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation
• ACUPRESSURE
• An ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface
of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities, when these
points are pressed they released muscular tension and promote circulation of
blood and the body’s life force to aid healing.
• Activity 4
• Among the mentioned alternative medicinal practices, what do you consider
the best healing treatment ? Why?
• Activity 5
• Name some other Traditional medicine /practices that you have experienced
