Traditional Medicine Program

of the Philippines

Josephine Carnate, MD, MPH

Topic Outline:
1. Introduction: Definition of terms
2. CAM forms
3. Reasons for use of TM/CAM
4. Issues in TM/CAM
5. The Philippine Traditional Medicine
Program
 Introduction
Primary health care principles
– Equity/bias for the poor
– Focus on prevention
– Multi-sectoral approach
– Community participation
– Appropriate technology
 Introduction
Primary health care principles
– Appropriate technology

Scientifically sound
Can be adapted
Acceptable
Affordable

Complementary
Alternative
Traditional Medicine
 Introduction
Primary health care elements/activities
• Education
• Locally- endemic disease control
• Expanded program on immunization
• Maternal and child health
• Essential drugs
• Nutrition
• Treatment of common diseases
• Safe water and sanitation
Complementary
Alternative
Traditional Medicine
 Definition of Terms

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

(CAM)

“is a group of diverse medical and health

systems, practices, and products that are not
presently considered as part of conventional
medicine.”

-National Center for Complementary

and Alternative Medicine, NIH, US
 Definition of Terms

Conventional Medicine
Allopathy, Western, mainstream, orthodox, regular, biomedicine, scientific

“Medicine practiced by holders of MD degrees

and allied health professionals (physical
therapists, psychologists, registered nurses),
DO degrees.”

-National Center for Complementary

and Alternative Medicine, NIH, US
 Definition of Terms

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

(CAM)

Complementary Medicine - used together with

Alternative Medicine - used in place of

-National Center for Complementary

and Alternative Medicine, NIH, US
 Definition of Terms

Traditional Medicine (TM)

“is the sum total of knowledge, skills and practices
on holistic health care which is recognized and
accepted by the community for its role in the
maintenance of health and treatment of diseases.
It is based on the theory, belief and experiences
that are indigenous to the different cultures, and
that is developed and handed down from
generation to generation.”

-World Health Organization

 Definition of Terms
Traditional and Alternative Health Care
(TAHC)

“is the sum total of knowledge, skills and practices

on health care other than those embodied in
biomedicine, used in the prevention, diagnosis and
elimination of physical or mental disorders.”

-Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act,

Philippines
 Definition of Terms
Traditional and Alternative Health Care
(TAHC)
Traditional Medicine- the sum total of
knowledge, skills and practices on health care
not necessarily explicable in the context of
modern, scientific framework, but recognized
by the people to help maintain and improve
health towards the wholeness of their being, the
community and society, and other interrelations
based on culture, history, heritage and
consciousness.
-Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act
 Definition of Terms
Traditional and Alternative Health Care
(TAHC)

Alternative Medicine- other forms of non-

allopathic, occasionally non-indigenous or
imported healing methods, though not
necessarily practiced for centuries, nor
handed down from one generation to
another.
-Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act
 Definition of Terms

Integrative Medicine

“combines mainstream medical therapies and

CAM therapies for which there is some high-
quality evidence of safety and effectiveness.”

-National Center for Complementary

and Alternative Medicine, NIH, US
 Forms of CAM

1. Alternative Medical Systems

2. Mind-Body Interventions
3. Biologically-based Therapies
4. Manipulative and Body-based Methods
5. Energy Therapies
 Forms of CAM
1. Alternative Medical Systems
• Have complete systems of theory and practice
• Evolved apart from and earlier than
conventional medicine
Alternative Medical Systems:
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Alternative Medical Systems:
Ayurveda
Alternative Medical
Systems:
Homeopathy
Naturopathy
 Forms of CAM
2. Mind- Body Interventions
• Enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily
functions and symptoms
Mind- Body Interventions:
Meditation
Hypnosis
Prayer healing
Dance/Music/Art Therapies
 Forms of CAM
3. Biologically-based Therapies
• Use of substances found in nature
Biologically-based Therapies:
Herbal therapies
Special diets
Megavitamins
Individual biological therapies
 Forms of CAM
4. Manipulative and Body-based Methods
• Manipulation and/or movement of one or more
parts of the body
Manipulative and Body-based
Therapies:
Massage
Chiropractic
 Forms of CAM
5. Energy Therapies
• Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies
• Biofield therapies
Energy Therapies:
Qigong
Reiki
Therapeutic Touch
Magnetic Therapy
Reasons for the use of TM/CAM

Vietnam 50.0%

Singapore 45.0%

Philippines 57.3%

Republic of Korea 69.0%

Nauru 60.0%

Japan 49.0%

Hong Kong 60.0%

China 90.0%

Australia 48.5%

Percentage of population using Traditional Medicine,

selected countries in the Western Pacific Region, 2001
(source:WHO-WPRO)
 Reasons for the use of TM/CAM

1. Effectiveness
2. Affordability
3. Accessibility: geographical, cultural
4. Safety
5. Use of natural materials and
the holistic approach
 Issues in the use of TM/CAM
1. Issues raised by practitioners of
conventional medicine
1.1 Efficacy
1.2 Safety
1.3 Delay in seeking conventional
treatment
1.4 Danger can be increased when used
as complement to conventional medicine
 Issues in the use of TM/CAM
2. World Health Organization
(2001, WPRO Regional Meeting)

2.1 Need for evidence- based approach

2.2 Need to establish appropriate standards
2.3 Need to protect and conserve indigenous
health resources
2.4 Need for political support
 Issues in the use of T/CAM
2. World Health Organization
(2001, WPRO Regional Meeting)

2.4 Need for political support

Integrated Part of mainstream health services

Not a part of mainstream health services

Supported Government recognition of TM role
Government efforts to bring into mainstream

Recognized Government announces TM potential role

Neglected Only conventional medicine is recognized

 Traditional Medicine Program
1992 Administrative Order No. 12
Traditional Medicine Program
“Promote and advocate TM nationwide”

1997 Republic Act No. 8423

Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act
Philippine Institute of Traditional and
Alternative Health Care (PITAHC)
 Traditional Medicine Program
Objectives:
2. Encourage scientific research
3. Promote and advocate use
4. Coordinate skills training courses
5. Formulate standards, guidelines and codes of
ethical practice
6. Formulate policies for protection
7. Formulate policies to strengthen the role of
TAHC
8. Promote TAHC
 Traditional Medicine Program
PRACTICE:
2. TAHC accepted in the Philippines:
1.1 Indigenous/folk medicine
1.2 Massage therapy
1.3 Acupuncture
1.4 Use of herbal medicine
 Common name Scientific name Indication

1. Akapulko Cassia alata Fungal infections

2. Ampalaya Momordica charantia Diabetes mellitus
3. Bawang Allium sativum Hypercholesterolemia
4. Bayabas Psidium guajava Antiseptic
5. Lagundi Vitex negundo Anti-asthma
6. Niyug-niyugan Quisqualis indica Anti-helminthic
7. Sambong Blumea balsamica Anti-urolithiasis
8. Tsaang-gubat Ehretia microphylla Intestinal motility
9. Ulasimang bato Peperomia pellucida Hyperuricemia
10.Yerba buena Mentha cordifolia Body pains
 Traditional Medicine Program
PRACTICE:
2. Other modalities being studied:
2.1 Chelation
2.2 Homeopathy
2.3 Chiropractic
2.4 Nutritional healing
2.5 Colonics
2.6 Hydrotherapy
 Traditional Medicine Program
RESEARCH:
2. Clinical trials for ampalaya
3. Bibliography of indigenous healing practices
4. Screening for medicinal plants
3.1 Tinospora crispa
3.2 Lagerstroemia speciosa
3.3 Centella asiatica
3.4 Euphorbia hirta
3.5 Cyperus rotundus
 Traditional Medicine Program
EDUCATION:
2. Training/seminar series on the various
TAHC modalities
3. Library
4. Website
5. Bibliography of indigenous healing practices
5. Integration of TAHC in the Health Sciences
Curricula, 2002