Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Treating Skin Diseases in the Province of Laguna, Philippines

This study inventoried the medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin diseases. The ethnopharmacological information was obtained from 300 locals with experience and knowledge in using medicinal plants in treating their skin diseases in different areas in the province of Laguna, Philippines. Field survey was carried out from March to May 2018. The data was collected through interviews and evaluated using use value (UV) and informant consensus factor (ICF). The results indicated that 34 medicinal plants belonging to 26 families largely represented by Lamiaceae were reported in the study. Leaves are harvested and prepared through crushing or pounding and employed externally by direct application on the affected area. The dosages are based on the number of leaves and it is used from three to seven days. The knowledge of the respondents about medicinal plants camefrom the experience of others and they gave an excellent rating on the phytotherapy of the plants. The most important plant species according to UV was Cassia alata L. ICF values of this study indicated that there were high agreements in the use of plants in the treatment of jock itch, psoriasis and warts. The study revealed that the ethnomedicinal knowledge and practices are still remained in the province and it has a considerable number of plants to support the local health care and it contributes in the improvement of  alternative systems of medicine. This finding gave initial information on the importance and used of such plants that can be tested for future use leading to the discoveries of new drugs in curing many skin diseases.
Keywords: Ethnopharmacological survey, medicinal plants, skin diseases.