Ethnobotanical Assessment of Medicinal Plants Used by the Higaonon Tribe in Barangay Langag, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur

Indigenous medicinal plants are harnessed by the Higaonon tribe, enriching their cultural heritage and advocating sustainable healthcare practices through the utilization of their therapeutic properties. This study aims to document and explore the traditional medicinal plant knowledge and practices of the Higaonon Tribe in the northeastern part of Mindanao, Philippines. The study was conducted in Barangay Langag, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, among elderly villagers, traditional healers, and herbalists. A total of 13 plant species belonging to 11 families were identified and documented, along with their local names, plant parts used, methods of preparation and administration, and medicinal uses. The most used plant parts were leaves, followed by bark, roots, and rhizomes. The plants were used to treat various ailments such as fever, stomachache, cough, diarrhea, hypertension, wounds, and others. The Lamiaceae family provided the highest number of medicinal plant species in the study. This research contributes to the documentation of traditional medicinal knowledge, supports future pharmacological research, and aids in the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants.