HOME REMEDIES FOR COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES IN BENGUET

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A Thesis Proposal
Presented to
The Faculty of the College of Nursing
University of Northern Philippines
Tamag, Vigan City

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In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Arts in Nursing

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by

SHERWIN N. CABANES
2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
CHAPTER
I.

THE PROBLEM
Introduction

..

Statement of the Problem ...

Scope and Delimitation of the Study .

Theoretical Framework ..

Conceptual Framework ..

25

Operational Definition of Terms

25

Assumptions ..

27

Hypothesis .

27

Methodology ..

27

Research Design 28
Population .. 28
Data Gathering Instrument . 28
Data Gathering Procedure .. 29
Statistical Treatment of Data . 29
Questionnaire . 30

Chapter I
THE PROBLEM
Introduction
Home remedies have been the source of health promotion, maintenance and cure
in the different parts of the world. With every turn of the century, people of all cultures
managed to perform and to pass on to younger generation the culture and traditions
regarding health care.
Home remedies are natural cures or medicines made at home from natural
ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs and these are catching a lot of attention
due to their very nature of cure: simple, no side effects, no chemicals and inexpensive.
Using them gives pleasures of being able to cure oneself (Acharya and Schrivasta, 2008).
According to the American Heritage Dictionary (2002), home remedies include
the use of herbal medicinal plants and traditional medicines or folk medicines. Home is a
place where someone lives. It is the dwelling place together with the family or social unit
that occupies it. Remedy on the other hand is something, such as medicine or therapy,
which relieves pain, cures diseases, or corrects a disorder.
Folk medicine refers to the healing practices and ideas of body physiology and
health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted
informally as general knowledge and practices or applied by anyone in the culture having
prior experience (Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008).
Folk medicine has its roots of healing and persisted from the beginning of culture
and flourished long before the development of systematic or scientific medicine that most
of the world relies on today. It dates back from 1200 BC in India, 1880 BC in Egypt, and

6th century AD in Persia. Folk healers are found in all culture. They are commonly
referred to as curanderos, brauchers, comadronas, hilots, and granny women. Most of
the healers used a combination of prayers, charms, laying of hands, rubbing or massage,
rituals, leaves, stones or gems, and herbs. The use of herbs or medicinal plants in curing
diseases started during the ancient Egypt and Biblical times. The herbs were studied for
their benefits in alternative medicine and cooking. By the 19th century many home
remedies containing herbs were patented and sold. Modern drugs have replaced herbal
medicines but some ingredients of modern drugs are still derived from it. Some of the
most famous and commonly used herbs overseas are basil, peppermint, oregano, parsley,
sage, chamomile, thyme, aloe, garlic, and lemon (Comptons Encyclopedia, 2005).
Home remedies are also known as botanical medicines. These are plant seeds,
berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. While the scientific study
and medicinal use of herbs began in the eighteenth century, documentation of the early
practices of the people of Egypt, Greece, India, and Asia demonstrates a sophisticated
understanding of herbs and their uses from well over a thousand years ago. Centuries
later, settles in North America gleaned much of their herbal lore from the Native
Americans (Frederick, 2006).
Home remedies are things or acts utilizing herbal medicines and traditional
medicines that are given of done at home to promote wellness. A home remedy is a very
powerful practice of people who defended their health, as well as those of their family
and community against any kind of diseases.
Medicinal plans are used to make herbal medicines and are generally defined as
natural plants used to present disease and treat illness and disorder. These are used to

promote excellent health. In the Philippines, medical herbs used in home remedies have
been used for thousands of years. It is a tradition that has been passed down through the
generation with little modifications. There has been a renewed interest in herbs in all
cultures. There are ten medicinal plants recognized to have significant benefits to its
users. As science verifies and validates the efficacy of these plants, their popularity will
only rise as a good alternative medicine (Miller, 2006).
Common childhood disease occur universally, making them a concern of parents
all over the world. Home remedies for such disease vary greatly. In early times, mothers
were entrusted with all but serious remedies. Historic cookbooks are frequently full of
remedies for dyspepsia, fevers, and female complaints (Kay, 1996).
In rural areas, mothers are known to bring their ill child/children to albularyos
and hilots for treatment rather than bring them to clinics or hospitals. Nowadays, even
in the urban areas, mothers prefer to call or invite the albolaryos and hilots to their
homes to treat their ill children.
Todays generation, amidst modern technology in the health care delivery system
and the continuous increasing prices of basic commodities including commercial drugs,
many are encouraged to use herbal medicines while other would rather rely on traditional
medicines. Women doctors reveal over two thousand self-health tips on the health
problems (Faelten, 1997).
The researcher chose for her study the following common childhood diseases
based on the record of the Municipal Health Services Office (MHSO) of Baguio City
year 2014. The following are the most common diseases prevalent in Barangay
Nangalisan, Baguio city: Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) which was the most

prevalent disease; followed by chicken pox (Varicella); then asthma, dental caries,
influenza, skin disease, and pneumonia.
The findings of the study is hoped to enhance the knowledge and practices of the
mother-respondents on how to manage common childhood disease utilizing home
remedies, and also identifying the predisposing factors of the diseases. The community in
general will also benefit from this study particularly in the promotion of scientific
remedies in dealing with common childhood diseases and heighten consciousness on the
use of herbal medicinal plants and traditional medicine available in the community itself.
It will also help in the preservation of cultural beliefs and practices which are
scientifically proven.
Finally, the findings on this study will serve as baseline for other health care
providers to encourage people to use home remedies for treating simple illnesses. As
health caregiver, he/she will help in the promotion and dissemination of the advantages of
scientific (proven effective) home remedies, thus reducing the cases of childhood
diseases complications.
Statement of the Problem
The study will focus on the extent of home remedy practices of common
childhood diseases among mother in Barangay Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet.
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of the
following:
A. Mother
a. Age;

b. Civil Status;
c. Educational attainment;
d. Occupation;
e. Monthly family income
B. Child
a. Age;
b. Sex;
c. Ordinal position;
d. Nutritional status;
e. Immunization status
2. What is the extent of practices on home remedies for common childhood illnesses
between and among the respondents per ethnic group?
3. Is there a significant difference in the health practices for common childhood
illnesses between and among the ethnic groups?
4. Is there a significant relationship between the extent of practices on the home
remedies of common childhood diseases and the mother-respondents profile?
Scope and Delimitation
The study aims to determine the home remedy practices for common childhood
diseases among mothers in Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet. It will also ascertain the extent of
home remedy practices as influenced by the socio-demographic factors of mothers.
The independent variable of the study includes the socio-demographic profile of
the mothers while the dependent variable is the extent of practice on the home remedies
for the common childhood diseases.

The respondents of the study will include 152 mothers with child/children ages
five years old and below who suffered from any of the childhood diseases. The mothers
will be from the five sitios of Barangay Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet. The researcher chose
the mothers because they are the primary caregiver to their children, and to the other
family members as well.
A questionnaire checklist formulated by the researcher with the contents to be
validated by pool of experts will be used to gather data. The data gathered will be treated
and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and bivariate correlation analysis.
Theoretical Framework
The PHC characterized by partnership and empowerment of the people shall
permeate as the core strategy in the effective provision of essential health services that
are community based, accessible, acceptable, and sustainable, at a cost, which the
community and the government can afford. It is a strategy which focuses responsibility
for health on the individual, his family and community. It includes the full participation
and active involvement of the community towards the development of self-reliant people
capable of achieving an acceptable level of health and well-being. It also recognizes the
interrelationship between health and the overall political, social-cultural and economic
development of society. As part of primary health care and because of the increasing cost
of drugs, the use of locally available medicinal plants has been advocated by the
Department of Health. Many local plants and herbs in the Philippine backyard and field
have been found to be effective in the treatment of common ailments as attested by the
National Science Development Board (Reyala et al., 2000).

In addition, Madeleine Leiningers s Transcultural Nursing Theory focuses on the

comparative study and analysis of cultures with respect to nursing and healthillness caring practices, beliefs, and values with the goal to provide meaningful and
efficacious nursing care services to people according to their cultural values and healthillness concept (Balita, 2005).
Leininger developed her theory of Transcultural Nursing on the fact that people to
each culture can not only know and define the ways in which they see their nursing care
world, but also can compare these to general health beliefs and practices. Her beliefs that
different cultures have both health practices that are specific to one culture led to the
addition of terms diversity and universality. She went through what she relates to as
a culture shock while shes working as a clinical nurse specialist in the Midwestern
United States with disturbed children and their parents, she observed recurrent behavioral
differences among the children and concluded that these differences had a culture as the
missing chain in nursing to understand the variations in care of clients. Leininger defined
person as a human being who can endure within culture and through place and time
because they have been able to care for infants, children, and the elderly in a variety of
ways and in many different environments. Thus, humans are universally caring being
who survive in a diversity of culture through their ability to provide universality of care
in a variety of ways according to differing cultures, needs, and settings. In terms of
environment, Leininger speaks about worldwide, social structure, and environmental
context. She described environment as the totality of an events, situation, or experience
and viewed as being signified in culture, is a major principle of her theory (Octaviano and
Balita, 2008).

Human throughout history have relied on natural remedies before the invention or
modern medicine and synthetic drugs. It is linked with better quality improvements of
human life of the optimum level of individuals, families and communities. The study will
present the common childhood diseases and their home remedies with ingredients found
almost in the kitchen, especially in the rural areas. People turn to natural remedies, also
known as home remedies or natural cures for their ailments because these treatments are
made with natural ingredients like herbs, fruits and vegetables. These ingredients are
readily found in any home. Home remedies do not use chemicals, are inexpensive, and
usually do not produce any side effects. People also enjoy making something useful
instead of paying for expensive over-the-counter drugs that can have dangerous side
effect.
Knowledge of Common Childhood Diseases
According to the study of Waish and Edwards (2006) on the management of
childhood diseases by parents, diseases continue to be the major cause of childhood
morbidity and mortality. Primary caregiver or mothers ability to detect the disease in
children early and institute effective home remedies is critical to disease outcome. They
found out that mothers practices towards common childhood diseases are heavily
influenced by their knowledge.
Moreover, Juma (2007), in her study regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices
of mothers on symptoms and sign of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses
(IMCI) strategy conducted at Buguruni, noted that most mothers (89.2%) found no factor
preventing them from seeking care, 98.2% to 99.4% of mothers took their children to
health facilities once sick or developed any symptom of severe childhood disease. She

claimed that enough knowledge could eventually lead to the improvement of health
practices in the management of childhood illnesses. She added that public health
education is vital in signs and symptoms recognition. Further, attitude and practices were
appropriate and directed towards management of childhood illnesses as addressed by the
IMCI strategy. She concluded that the implementation of IMCI programs in governments
health facilities will improve knowledge health seeking for childhood diseases.
Roles of parents in the treatment of the disease in their children could better be
determined from their perception of the disease and understanding of its management.
Health seeking behavior had been shown in the past to be influence by several factors
such as: accessibility and availability of drug; availability of personnel; cost of treatment
including drugs; perception of seriousness of the disease; knowledge of its cause and
ability to diagnose and treat (Pediatr, 2008).
Knowledge is the information, skills, and expertise acquired by a person through
various life experiences or through formal education. Knowledge on common childhood
diseases is the awareness of the whole diseases itself.
Knowledge is the enemy of disease. That is a powerful metaphor. Applying what
is already known will have a bigger impact of health and disease than any drug or
technology likely to be introduced in the next decade. But if disease is to be defeated, in
addition to the undeniable need to new knowledge, existing knowledge must be applied
in ways that will improve health care, especially in underprivileged populations. There
are huge gaps in knowledge application, and a link is needed between knowledge and
effective decision-making and health-policy development.

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Common Childhood Diseases

Cough and Colds
Upper Respiratory infections are conditions that affects the respiratory system.
The primary functions of respiratory system are to provide oxygen for metabolism. The
secondary functions are facilitating sense of smell, produces speech, maintains acid-base
balance, maintains body water levels, and maintain heat balance. The upper respiratory
tract is composed of nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx and epiglottis (Silvestri, 2008).
Dr. Carole Heilman said that a cold is a collection of symptoms caused by any of
the 200 or more different viruses. To cure a cold, youd have to find a remedy that is able
to kill anyone of the 200 different viruses that maybe causing your particular cold. Its a
real pain in the neck to find a substance that not only universally destroys viruses that
dont behave in the same way but also doesnt cause side effects (Faelten, 1997).
The DOH-CAR Local Health Support Division chief Dr. Amelita Pangilinan,
advised the public to bring sweaters or jackets to protect themselves from the cold
weather, as we are now experiencing drastic drop in temperatures, especially during the
afternoon and evening. Basically the public should protect themselves from the cold
weather, especially the sensitive ones and those with asthma. She added that the public
also should boost their immune system by drinking lots of water, eating nutritious foods,
having a balance diet and doing exercise. She reported that cases of influenza-likeillnesses (ILI) which usually manifests cold, cough, and fever, and is associated with the
cold weather and the drastic changes in temperature are increasing. Based on DOH-CAR
surveillance, from January up to November 10, 2012 8,797 cases recorded during the
same period last year. The City of Baguio recorded the most number of ILI cases with

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2,898, followed by Ifugao with 2, 587 cases and Benguet with 1,085. Apayao recorded
the least number of cases with 177, while Abra, Kalinga, and Mountain Province
recorded 1,012,516 and 445 cases respectively (Dar, 2012).
Meanwhile, PAGASA Baguio Weather Observer Efren Dalipog, disclosed that
the coldest temperature in Baguio that day stands at 15 degrees Celsius and he also
affirmed that the temperature will be getting colder as the year ends and may even go as
low as 10 degrees Celsius in the future. This is alarming and the cases of cold weather
illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, flu, and pneumonia might increase (Dar,
2012).
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized
by variable and recurring symptoms. Reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm.
In susceptible individual, this inflammation causes recurrent episode of wheezing,
breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early
morning. Asthma also causes an associated bronchospasm and increase in the existing
bronchial hypersenstitiveness of variety of stimuli (Chapleau et al., 2009).
Asthma causes attacks of wheezing and shortness of breath. It can be serious or
even fatal. If the having attacks come more easily that in the past, or if it seems more
severe than usual or if it wakes a person up at night more than twice a week, it means that
the condition is no longer under control (Faelten, 1997).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010), 12% of Philippine
population about 90 million have asthma and it is one of the leading causes of deaths in
the Philippines and worldwide. Asthma is a disease that cannot be cured in the traditional

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senses but it can be effectively controlled. The treatment of asthma depends on its nature.
Some babies only have asthma attacks when they get cold or other upper respiratory tract
infection and other have problems when they come into contact with an allergen, such as
cat fur which can trigger an attack.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is a term commonly used to refer to infection and inflammation of the
palatine tonsil. Adenitis refers to infection and inflammation of the adenoid tonsils.
Palatine tonsils are located on both sides of the pharynx; the adenoids are in the
nasopharynx. Infection of the palatine tonsils presents with all the symptoms of severe
pharyngitis. Children drool because their throat is too soar for them to swallow saliva.
They may describe swallowing as painful, it feels as if they are swallowing bits of metals
or glass. In addition, they usually have a high fever and lethargic. Tonsillar tissue appears
bright red and amy be so enlarged the two areas of the palatine tonsillar tissue meet in the
midline (Pilliterri, 2007).
In tonsillitis, the tonsils are infected with bacteria or a virus, causing inflammation
and a sore throat. Tonsillitis is common in children because their tonsils are exposed to
many infections for the first time. The tonsils become smaller with age and tonsillitis
occurs less frequently in adults. Symptoms tend to become milder as a child grows older
and have usually disappeared completely by the time adolescence is reached (Briffa,
2005).
Dental Carries
Dental carries is known as tooth decay or a cavity, an infection, usually bacterial
in origin that causes demineralization of the hard tissues (enamel, dentin and cementum)

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and destruction of the organic matter of the tooth, usually by production of acid by
hydrolysis of the food debris accumulated on the tooth surface. If left untreated, the
disease can lead to pain, tooth loss and infection. Today, carries remain one of the most
common disease throughout the world. Cariology is the study of dental carries. Dental
health organization advocate preventive and prophylactic measures, such as regular oral
hygiene and dietary modifications, to avoid dental caries (Medical Plus Encyclopedia,
2008).
The oral health status of Filipino children is alarming. The 2006 National Oral
Health Curvey (NOHS) investigated the oral health status of Philippine public elementary
school students. It revealed that 97.1% of six year-old children suffer from tooth decay or
four out of every five children of this subgroup are suffering from dental caries. In
addition, 78.4% of twelve-year-old children suffer from dental carries (DOH-NOHS,
2010).
In general, tooth decay and gum disease do not directly cause disability or death.
However, these conditions can weaken bodily defenses and serve as portals of entry to
other more serious and potentially dangerous systemic disease and infections. Serious
conditions include arthritis, heart disease, endocarditis, gatro-intestinal diseases, and
ocular-skin-renal diseases. Aside from physical deformity, these two oral diseases may
also cause disturbance of speech significant enough to affect work performance,
nutrition, social interactions, income, and self-esteem. In the Philippines, toothache is a
common ailment among school children, and in the primary cause of absenteeism from
school. Indeed, dental and oral diseases create a silent epidemic, placing a heavy burden
on Filipino school children (Calonge, 2011).

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Home Remedies
Home remedies have been utilized since ancient times for the purpose of treating
of diseases and promoting health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities.
Pettersons (2005) study was about home remedies used in Mongolia. She looked
at the interaction of health and the environment. She focused on anything from land or
livestock to people. Mongolia is land-locked desert thus, the researcher found out that
home remedies tend to be based on milk and meat.
According to the news of Villafuerte (2010), nature had been providing men with
thousands of herbal plants with health benefits and medicinal properties. One of such
herbal plants is the garlic widely used around the world for its pungent flavor as a
seasoning or condiment. In Ancient times, soldiers relied on garlic to give them added
strength in battle and was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene during World War I
and World War II. Garlic is probably is probably one of the most powerful antiseptic
known to man. All kinds of worms are destroyed by garlic. Modern science has
confirmed that garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic. She says that the good news, too, is
that our body does not appear to build up resistance to the garlic so its positive benefits
can continue overtime.
According to Bardot (2012), well-known home remedies for immune system
strengthener is garlic. It is an antibacterial and antiviral herb for fighting colds, coughs
and the flu. One of the best ways to take advantage of garlics healing properties is by
drinking fresh garlic tea. Sweetened with little raw honey, its delicious and helps to heal
what ails you. Peel 2 to 3 cloves of fresh garlic and lightly crush them with side of a wide

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knife blade. Add them to 2 cups of water and bring to boil. Lower the heat and simmer
for another 15 minutes. Strain the garlic and allow the tea to cool to mouth temperature.
Add raw honey, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Drink as
much as desired. She added also that a wonderful home remedy for adults or kids
suffering from a cough uses brown cane sugar, raw honey or stevia and red onions to
make a soothing and tasty cough syrup.
The home remedies that are commonly prescribed for asthma are lobelia and
ephedra. Lobelia is an antispamosdic and expectorant, which gets rids the body mucus.
Ephedra is a bronchodilator, which eases spasm of the airways. The herbal treatment of
asthma much be carefully handled, as some of the herbs used cam be toxic (Peters, 2005).
According to Dr. Janet McElhaney, plugging into a vaporized and resting in bed
for two days is a key to treating a flu. A vaporizer can make you feel better by returning
moisture to dry, cracked nasal passages and lips. It can also help relieve a painful sore
throat and loosen dried mucus. One home remedy for flu is to take a hot steamy shower.
The steam acts as a vaporizer, because it provides a moist environment (Faelten, 1997).
According to Lucas (2007) on his informative speech, home remedies are
considered worldwide tradition. One of the best home remedies for ailment is chili
pepper. He explained that chili pepper originated more than 5,000 years ago in South
America, near what is today Bolivia and Brazil. Chili pepper is a worldwide tradition that
has been spicing up lives and diets for thousands of years. He believed that this ancient
plant will continue to find new users in the modern age.
Historically, one of the most ancient home remedies was a major use of aloe vera
for the treatment of minor burns. In fact many households kept a live aloe, burn plant,

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on the windmill for emergency first aid. Aloe vera is typically effective is a variety of
situations for instance minor burns, acne, seborrhea, eczema, psoriasis and impetigo.
As an example, a recent study of the effects of aloe vera gel on 60 psoriasis patients
concluded that over 80% of patients received significant benefits (compare to only 7%
who took a placebo). Furthermore, no adverse drug-related symptoms or side-effects
were observed (Maughan, 1996).
One of the most popular examples of a home remedy is the use of chicken soup to
treat respiratory infections such as a cold or mild flu. other examples of medically
successful home remedies include willow bark tea to cure headaches and fevers (willow
bark contains salicylic acid, which is chemically similar to acetylsalicylic acid, also
known as aspirin; duct tape to help with setting broken bones; superglue to treat plantar
warts; and kogelmogel to treat sore throat.
Home remedies can help build immunity, reduce symptoms and prevent the onset
of colds and the flu. Many of these folks medicines can even be found in the kitchen
cabinet. Natural remedies are inexpensive, compared to over-the-counter cold remedies,
and they do not suppress symptoms but rather allow the body to cleanse and heal itself
(Grimes, 2010).
Studies of the health practices among Filipino Americans suggest that people who
are originally from the rural areas in the Philippines are more knowledgeable regarding
home remedies, traditional healing technique, and supernatural ailments, whereas those
from urban area rely more on western medical intervention and over-the-counter-drugs
(Gardan, 2007).

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Herbal Medicines
In 1992 during the term of Juan Flavier as Secretary of Health, a brochure of 10
medicinal plants (akapulko, ampalaya, bawang, bayabas, lagundi, niyog-niyogan,
pansitpansitan, sambong, tsaang-gubat, and yerba Buena) for common health problems
was published and commercial productions was pursued. The Department of Health
endorsed these ten medicinal plants. All of these have been thoroughly tested and have
been clinically proven to be effective in the relied and treatment of various diseases.
Despite the fact that some herbal medicines have slower rate, many medicinal doctors are
now recognizing the validity of these approved herbal medicines and is an alternative in
preventing a disease.
Some reminders on the uses of herbal medicine promoted by the Department of
Health are the following: (1) Avoid the use of insecticides as these may leave a poison on
plants; (2) In the preparation of herbal medicine, use a clay pot and remove cover while
boiling at low heat; (3) Use only the part of the plant being advocated; (4) Follow
accurate dose of suggested preparation; (5) Use only the kind of herbal plant for each
type of symptom of sickness; (6) Stop giving herbal medication in care untoward reaction
such as allergy occurs; and (7) If sign and symptoms are not relieved after 2 or 3 doses of
herbal medication, consult a doctor or physician.
Herbal medicines are also known as botanical medicine or phytotherapy. These
medicines are combination of plant extracts and plants to cure certain ailments (Daniels,
2004). The use of herbs or medicinal plants in curing the diseases started during the
ancient Egypt and biblical times. The herbs were studied for their benefits in alternative

18

medicine. By the 19th century many medicinal plant extracts and decoction were patented
and sold. Some of the most famous and commonly used herbs overseas are basil,
peppermint, oregano, parsley, sage, chamomile, thyme, garlic, and lemon (Comptons
Encyclopedia, 2005).
In the Philippines, herbs are widely used even before the introduction of modern
and western medicines. However, Western medicine has influence mostly the urban
areas. Rural folks depended much on herbs to treat different ailment and sickness.
Filipinos are known to combine herbs with folk medicines or traditional medicines in
treating their patients. These people are called traditional healers, and have different local
names depending on the locality. This increasing number of population, together with the
continuing price increase of medicines have pushed the people to turn back to use of
herbal medicine. It is doubtful that modern medicinal services will ever be adequate
given the countrys limited resources and manpower (Delos Santos, 1995).
Traditional Medicines/Folk Medicines
Republic Act No. 8423 is an act creating the Philippine Institute of Traditional
and Alternative Health Care (PITAH) to accelerate the development of traditional and
alternative health care in the Philippines, providing for a traditional and alternative health
care development fund and other purposes.
This Act is known as the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of
1997. In the declaration of policy, it clearly state the policy of the State is to improve the
quality and delivery of health care services and its integration into the national health care
delivery system.

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It shall also be the policy of the State to seek a legally workable basis by which
indigenous societies would own their knowledge of traditional medicine. When such
knowledge is used by outsider, the indigenous societies can require the permitted users to
acknowledge its sources and can demand a share of any financial return that may come
from its authorized commercial use.
The objectives of this Act are as follows: (a) To encourage scientific research to
develop traditional and alternative health care system that have direct impact on public
health care; (b) To promote and advocate the use of traditional, alternative, preventive
and curative health care modalities that have been proven safe, effective, cost effective
and consistent with government standards on medical practice; (c) To develop and
coordinate skills training courses for various forms of traditional and alternative health
care modalities; (d) To formulate standards, guidelines and codes of ethical practice
appropriate for the practice of traditional and alternative health care as well as in the
manufacture, quality control and marketing of different traditional and alternative health
care materials, natural and organic products, for approval and adoption by the appropriate
government agencies; (e) To formulate polices for the protection of indigenous and
natural health resources and technology from unwarranted exploitation, for approval and
adoption by the appropriate government agencies; (f) To formulate policies to strengthen
the role of traditional and alternative health care in international and national
conventions, seminars and meetings in coordination with the Department of Tourism,
Duty Free Philippines, Incorporated, Philippines Convention and Visitors Corporation
and other tourism-related agencies as well as non-government organizations and local
government units.

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According to the Encyclopedia Americana (1997), folk medicine is a body of

medicine that is part of the culture of a particular ethnic or geographic group of people.
This is a set of simple health practices handed down within individual families. Much
folk medicine deals with emotional needs of the patient that may be related to his bodily
ailments. For example, the American Indian medicine man was often observed to involve
the patients family and tribe in such a way that personal conflicts were resolved while
the patient recovered his physical health. The tribal members sometimes offered gifts to
the patient, and sometimes the curative rituals involve a family member with whom the
patient had quarreled.
Apostol (2005) conducted a study about the importance of the use of traditional
medicines in the Philippines due to the worsening crisis of the economy and strong
culture of the Filipinos. Included in this study is the practice of Filipinos on hilots.
According to Apostol, therapeutic massage in the Philippines is a tradition as old
as the islands first inhabitants. Most widely known as hilot or hilut, the massage
tradition is known by a variety of other names such as follows: Agod or Agud
(Maguindanao, Maranao); Aplos (Bontoc); Aptus (Ivatan); Elot (Ilongot); Hagud
(Bukidnon); Ilat (Isneg); Ilot or Ilut (Ilocano, Itawis, Zambal, Pampango); Ilu (Ibanag);
Kemkem (Pangasinan); Unar (Kalinga); and Abion (Northern Ilocano).
In addition, cultural diversity refers to the differences or variations both between
and among different cultures. Leninger (1985) defined culture as the learned, shared, and
transmitted values, beliefs, norms, and lifeways of a particular group that guides their
thinking, decision, and actions in patterned ways. Leninger also emphasized the generic
(folk or lay) care system. This is a culturally studied and given indigenous (or

21

traditional), folk (community and home-based) knowledge and skills used to provide
assistive, supportive, enabling, or facilitative acts toward or another individual, groups, or
institution with evident or anticipated needs to ameliorate or improve a human life and
health condition (or well being). Further it is also used to deal with handicaps and death
situation. Leininger believed that health is a key concept in transcultural nursing because
of the weight on the need for nurses to have knowledge that is specific to the culture in
which nursing is being practiced. It is acknowledged that health is seen as being universal
across culture but distinct within each culture in a way that represent the belief, values,
and practices of the particular culture. With regard to the nurses responsibility of patient
care, Leininger gave three types of nursing actions which are culturally-based and thus
consistent with the needs and values of the clients. These are: (1) Cultural Care
Preservation/Maintenance; (2) Cultural Care Accommodation/ Negotiation; and
(3) Cultural Repatterning/Restructuring. These three modes of action can lead to the
deliverance of nursing care that best fits with the clients culture and thus reduce cultural
stress and chance for conflict between client and caregiver (Octaviano and Balita, 2008).
Factors that Contributes to Utilization of Home Remedies
Research has discovered thousands of healing nutrients in the foods that we eat
every day. Clinical researchers at leading universities have found that the naturally
occurring properties in foods have the healing powers to cure common ailments, with
minimal risk of side effects, and without paying the enormous cost of prescription drugs.
Home remedies work quickly, safely and are generally effective for people who use
them. In order to make home remedies, it is imperative to possess the knowledge of what

22

to use, the proper ingredients and have someone to show or tell you how to prepare the
natural remedies (Grimes, 2010).
Herbs, spices and fresh foods can be effective in treating most ailments ranging
from minor pains to infection. Expensive antibiotics are widely used today, even for
conditions that can usually be cure with natural remedies. These antibiotics are usually
effective by killing the offending bacteria. Unfortunately, they also kill friendly or
beneficial flora and fauna, causing the body to take longer to recover than otherwise
necessary had the antibiotics not been used. Natural remedies are usually effective for
treating minor infections, and at the same time, strengthen the bodys immune system to
better fend of other ailments, such as hair loss, acne breakouts, dandruff, and promise
healing and mending of aches, pains, wounds and burns (Blunt and Wilfrid, 1994).
According to Davis (2009), one can experiment with different natural remedies to
determine the ones that work best for ones condition. A person doesnt need to only rely
on drugs that are potentially damaging for the body and can cost a lot of money to treat
all ailments when home remedies using natural herbs, spices and foods are all around the
home kitchens that saves money and is good for the body.
Some related studies show that poverty is a big factor in the utilization of home
remedies especially in underdeveloped countries. In fact, it is one major problem
affecting the Filipinos today. It is linked to the rapid population growth leading to poor
education eventually affecting knowledge. In relation to the study, knowledge is the only
powerful tool to bridge the gap in the increasing number of common childhood diseases
as Grimes verified in connection with home remedies.

23

Predisposing Factors to Common Childhood Diseases

According to the pulmonary specialist, Dr. Sally Wenzel, a family history of
asthma and exposure to viruses or allergens set the stage for asthma. Men are just as
likely to develop asthma as women.In addition, Professor Peters says that when someone
with asthma inhales irritants particles, such a pollen or pollute air, the immune system
overreacts, producing histamine, making the airway narrow and swell.
As to chickenpox, people who have not had chickenpox can catch it from
someone with shingles, but only via direct contact with the shingles rash and not via
cough and sneezes. Professor Peter said that the predisposing factor is weakened immune
system. If the child is otherwise healthy, the infection is likely to be mild and will not
need treatment. The child will normally recover fully between 10 and 14 days after the
onset of the first crop of the chickenpox rash.
Consequently, each time a sugar or refined carbohydrates settlers on the teeth
(and that includes sweet, juice, milk, sweetened colas, breath mints and fruits), it provides
a taste meal for the bacteria that live in the plaque in the mouth. Then for the next 20
minutes or more, acid forms. If the teeth and gums are susceptible, one could be on
his/her way to a cavity, gum disease or an abscess, all of which can cause toothache
(Chapleau et al., 2009).
According to Dr. Carole Hellmen, flu viruses change from year to year, keeping
the bugs one step ahead of our immune system. Disease-fighting antibodies produced

24

after exposure to a previous years virus no longer recognize the next years strain, so we
have no defense from previous exposure (Faelten, 1997),
In addition, the disease agent for influenza in transmitter from nasopharyngeal
secretions and lung oxidates from person to person by coughing, sneezing and vigorous
talking. The droplets of secretions containing the virus from the infected person to be
breathed in by someone who is not infected, starts to have the symptoms from one to
three days later (Silvestri, 2008).
According to Bowden, Ljungman, and David (2010), pneumonia is due primarily
to infections, with less common causes including irritants and the unknown. Although
more than one hundred strains of microorganisms can cause pneumonia, only a few are
responsible for most cases. The most common types of infectious agents are viruses and
bacteria, with its being less commonly due to fungi or parasites. Mixed infections with
both viruses and bacteria may occur in up to 45% of infections in children and 15% of
infections in adults. The term pneumonia is sometimes more broadly applied to
inflammation of the lung (for example caused by autoimmune disease, chemical burns or
drug reactions) however this is more accurately referred to as pneumonitis.
One major predisposing factor affecting the children to the occurrences of
common childhood disease is the sudden climate change. Every change in weather sends
a new round of people to the doctor. According to Mackenzie (2012), people get sick
from bacteria and a weak immune system, not from temperature. But weather changes
can cause symptoms that are just as aggravating as the real thing. She insisted that
weather alone cant make a person ill, but changes in weather are accompanied by a host
of other changes that can give a person flu symptoms. The body is used to functioning in

25

a certain temperature, so as the season change, the body is forced to re-adapt. This
includes the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections and viruses.
Conceptual Framework
The researcher will be guided by the model illustrated below:
Independent Variables

Dependent Variables

Mother-Respondents Profile:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

1.Extent of maternal practices

on the home remedies for the
following common childhood
diseases:

Age,
Civil Status,
Educational attainment,
Occupation ,
Monthly family income,
Ethnic origin

a.
b.
c.
d.

Cough and Colds

Asthma,
Tonsillitis,
Dental Carries

Child-Respondents Profile:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Age,
Sex,
Ordinal position;
Nutritional Status;
Immunization Status

Figure 1
Paradigm of the study

Operational Definition of Terms

Common Childhood Diseases. These refer to the ailments frequently affecting
the children aged 5 years old and below in the community. The diseases mentioned in the

26

study are the following: Asthma, chickenpox, dental caries, influenza, pneumonia, skin
disease, tonsillitis, and upper respiratory infection.
Folk Medicine. This refer to healing practices and ideas of body physiology and
health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted
informally as general knowledge, and practices or applied by anyone in the culture
having prior experience.
Home Medicines. These refer to the use of medicinal plants to treat ailments or
childhood diseases.
Home Remedies. These refer to the utilization of herbal and folk/traditional
medicines and practices being applied to treat or cure childhood diseases. Home remedies
employ certain spices, vegetables, or herbs found in the kitchen.
Traditional Medicines. These refer to health practices, approaches, knowledge
and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral-based medicines, spiritual beliefs,
manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose
and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being.
Utilization. This refers to the practice on the use of home remedies such as herbal
medicines and traditional medicines for common childhood diseases.
Age. This term refers to the length of time of existence of the respondents from
birth to the time of the conduct of the study.
Civil Status. It refers to the marital status of the respondents whether they are
married, single, or widow.
Educational Attainment. This refers to the level of formal education the
respondents have reached until the conduct of the study.

27

Occupation. This refers to the role of the respondents in the home which is either
working or non-working.
Monthly family income. This term refers to the monthly earnings of the family
spent for the needs of their needs.
Ethnic origin. This term pertains to or characteristics of a people, especially a
group sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language or the like.
Assumptions
The study will be guided by the following assumptions:
1. The answers of the respondents to the data gathering instrument are honest
and correct.
2. The questionnaire checklist to be used in gathering data is valid and reliable.
Hypothesis
The researcher posited the following hypothesis
1. There is no significant difference in the health practices for common childhood
illnesses between and among the ethnic groups?
2. There is no significant relationship between the respondents extent of practices
on home remedies of common childhood disease and their socio-demographic
profile.
Methodology.
This section present the research design, population and sample, data gathering
instrument, data gathering procedure, and statistical treatment of data.

28

Research Design. The researcher will make use of the descriptive survey method
of research with the use of the questionnaire-checklist as the main instrument in gathering
the needed data for the study.
This study will be supplemented by actual experiences, personal experience,
readings, published books and printed materials as source of information for the study.
Population. The respondents of the study will include 152 mothers who are the
main providers of care to their children. The number of respondents was determined by
employing the Slovins formula.
Table 1 shows the distribution of the respondents of the study.
Table 1
Distribution of the Respondents

SITIOS

N
( Total population of mothers with
children below five years old)

ASIN
BATUAN
COPLO
PENGED
NANGALISAN CENTRAL

30
45
27
25
38

28
40
25
24
35

TOTAL

165

152

Data Gathering Instrument. A questionnaire formulated by the researcher will

be the main gathering tool to be used in the study. The questionnaire was based from the
study of Segundo (2012) entitled Utilization of Home Remedies for Common Childhood
Diseases in Ambiong, La Trinidad Benguet.

29

Data Gathering Procedure. The researcher will seek the permission from the
Head of the Municipal Health Service (MHSO) of Baguio City and also from the
Barangay Captain of Ambiong to float questionnaire in Nangalisan, Baguio City.
Statistical Treatment of Data. The data to be gathered will be treated with the
following statistical tools:
1. Frequency and percentage to determine the distribution and describe the
socio-demographic profile of the respondents.
2. Mean to describe the respondents extent of practices on home remedies.
3. Bivariate correlation analysis will be employed to determine the relationship
between the dependent and independent variables.

30

THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Part I. Instruction: Please put a check mark (/) on the appropriate column that
corresponds to your answer.
Profile of Mothers:
a. Age: _________________
b. Civil Status: ____________________
c. Educational Attainment:
Elementary graduate
( ___ )
High School graduate
( ___ )
Vocational graduate
( ___ )
College graduate
( ___ )
d. Occupation: ____________________
e. Monthly Family Income : ___________________
f. Ethnic Origin: _________________________
Profile of Child:
a. Age: ____________________
b. Sex : ___________________
c. Ordinal Order: __________________
d. Nutritional Status (BMI): _________________
Height: _________
Weight: _________
e. Immunization Status :
Fully Immunized (Complete)
( ___ )
Partially Immunized (Ongoing)
( ___ )
Part II. Please rate the extent of practices on the home remedies for each
common childhood disease.
5 - ALWAYS
4 - OFTEN
3 - SOMETIMES
2 - SELDOM
1 - NEVER
A. Cough and Colds
1. I let my child take ginger tea several times in a day.
2. I let my child drink garlic oil mixed in warm water.
3. I apply oil on chest and back, on temple and back of the neck to
ease congestion.
4. I let my child inhale boiled eucalyptus oil on a clean cloth and let
a child sniff it.
5. I let my child take a lemon juice extract and a teaspoon of honey
in a glass of lukewarm water.

A O So Se N
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

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6. I let my child gargle with lukewarm salt water.

7. I do some traditional rituals such as kanyao or butchering a
native chicken.
8. If my child has fever, I do a tepid sponge bath.
8.1 I apply cold compress on the
forehead.
8.2 I apply cold compress on the axilla.
8.3 I administer over the counter drug like Paracetamol (e.g.
Tempra or Calpol)
B. Asthma
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

I let my child drink a cup of green tea.

I do massage therapy to my child for relaxation.
I practice steam inhalation for at least 15-20 minutes.
I give chicken soup to my child.
I apply coconut oil on the chest and back of my child.
I let my child drink a cup of Lagundi.
I use paudarco to rub the back of my child
I do some traditional rituals such as kanyao or butchering a
native chicken.
C. Tonsillitis

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

A O So Se N
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

I let my child gargle of warm water with a tablespoon of vinegar.

I let my child gargle with ginger solution several times in a day.
I let my child take food supplements such as vit. C.
I let my child gargle with warm salt solution.
I give vegetable juices, such as carrot, cucumber.
I let my child take a lemon juice extract in glass of warm water.
I increase fluid intake of my child.
I let my child take calamansi juice and a teaspoon of salt in glass
of lukewarm water.
D. Dental Caries

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

A O So Se N
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

I let my child gargle with ginger solution.

I let my child gargle with warm boiled guava leaves.
I put a garlic clove of the decaying tooth.
I apply oregano oil on the infected tooth.
I let my child take onion to prevent tooth decay.
I give peppermint or yerba Buena for pain relief.
I let my child use twigs to brush his/her teeth.
I let my child use thread, ribbon, or tape to floss his/her teeth.

A O So Se N
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

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