UNDERSTANDING THE FILIPINOS
AND ITS CULTURE
by: Loreta Garrote-Trinidad, R.N.
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[Page 9]
TRADITIONAL HEALING PRACTICES
& COMMON HEALTH BELIEFS:
IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT PRE-HISPANIC RELIGIOUS PRACTICES WERE DONE BY PRIESTESSES
(BABAYLANS) WHO PLAYED ROLES AS HEALERS.
- BELIEF IN THE POWER OF PRAYER OVER USE OF MEDICINE.
GOING TO RELIGIOUS PILGRIMAGES FOR HEALING AILMENTS IS COMMON.
- BELIEF IN THE POWER OF FAITH HEALERS OR ALTERNATIVE
MEDICINE (HERBS, "HILOT" OR MASSAGE THERAPY) TO CURE
CERTAIN AILMENTS THAT PHYSICIAN COULD NOT.
- AMULETS (ANTING-ANTING) PROTECT THE WEARER FROM CERTAIN ILLNESS AND
HELP COUNTERACT WITCHERY.
- FOOD CRAVINGS OF PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD BE GRANTED TO
AVOID MISCARRIAGES.
- "RELAPSE" RESULTS FROM BATHING, EATING THE WRONG FOOD,
OVER EXERTION OR NOT RECEIVING ADEQUATE SLEEP/ REST SOON AFTER BEING SICK.
- USE OF CAMPHOR/ MENTHOL RUB OR LINIMENT FOR ACHES/ PAINS.
- GINGER BREW HELPS RELIEVE COLDS, SORE THROAT, ASTHMA,
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT. IT IS A SOOTHING REMEDY FOR
RHEUMATISM IN COLD OR RAINY WEATHER.
- CUTTING BABY'S HAIR BEFORE TURNING ONE-YEAR OLD CAUSES CERTAIN ILLNESS.
- CERTAIN FOLKS STILL DO NOT BATH OR CUT THEIR NAILS ON FRIDAYS!
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