PAST AND

FUTURE USES OF
INDIGENOUS
PLANTS

Past and Future Uses of the

Indigenous Plants of the
Aeta
Atienza, Edbert Jared
Garcia, Justin Albert
Gelle, Frances Diane
Gutierrez, Paula Cathryn
MEB21

Aeta
The Aeta (Ayta, pronounced eye-t), or
Agta, are an indigenous people who live in
scattered, isolated mountainous parts of
the

island

of

Luzon,

the

Philippines.

Wikipedia.org [cited 2016])

These

people

are

considered

to

be

Negritos, whose skin ranges from dark to

very dark brown, and possessing features
such as a small stature and frame; hair of a curly to kinky texture and a higher frequency
of naturally lighter colour (blondism) relative to the general population; small nose; and
dark brown eyes. They are thought to be among the earliest inhabitants of the
Philippines, preceding the Austronesian migrations. The Aeta were included in the group
of people termed "Negrito" during Spanish Era. Various Aeta groups in northern Luzon
are known as Pugut or Pugot, an Ilocano term that also means "goblin" or "forest spirit",
and is the colloquial term for people with darker complexions. These names are mostly
considered

inappropriate

(Wikipedia.org [cited 2016])

or

derogatory

by

fellow

Negritos

of

northern

Luzon.

Alstonia scholaris
Dita or White Cheese Wood

Family: Apocynaceae
Apocynaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs,
stem succulents, and vines. They are commonly called the dogbane family, (Endress ME,
Bruyns PV 2000) after the American plant known as dogbane, Apocynum cannabinum.
(Heiser CB 2003)

Alstonia scholaris
Alstonia scholaris, commonly called blackboard tree, devil tree, ditabark, milky pine,
white cheesewood, is an evergreen tropical tree in the family Apocynaceae, it is native to
the Australasia, Indian subcontinent, Indomalaya, and Malesia. (John H. W. [cited 2012]).
Domain: Eukaryote
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Alstonia
Species: A. scholaris

Ethnic/Past Uses

Juice of boiled bark is used to treat malaria. (Asian Case Study - Aetas Of Morong,

McGill.ca [rev 2007])

In the Philippines, the bark is regarded as a remedy for fevers, chronic diarrhea,
dysentery. Earlier Spanish records report the dita bark alkaloid was used in hospitals

as a quinine substitute. (stuartxchange.com [cited 2016])

The wood of Alstonia scholaris has been recommended for the manufacture of pencils,
as it is suitable in nature and the tree grows rapidly and is easy to cultivate. (Tonatont

N.W. 1974)
In Sri Lanka its light wood is used for coffins. In Borneo the wood close to the root is
very light and of white color, and is used for net floats, household utensils, trenchers,

corks, etc. (Botanical.com [cited 2007])

In Theravada Buddhism, Bodhi by first Lord Buddha is said to have used Alstonia
scholaris as the tree for achieving enlightenment.

Future Uses
The extract of the leaves and the latex has the antibacterial potential which can lead

to cosmetic products such as soaps, lotion and deodorant.

The leaf and follicle extracts exhibit antioxidant potential that has the ability to
counteract damaging effects in the human body. It benefits body by removing free
radicals from the bloodstream. This property may lead the plant to be produced as an

ingredient to fruit juices and healthy supplements.

This can also be used in many food products such as chocolates, cookies and
beverages. Cosmetics can be improved by further research in this plant. Someday,

the potential of this plat may lead to lotion, face mask, and soaps.
Alstonia scholaris contains natural substances that promotes health and reduce
illness. As an alternative medicine, the plant is effective against different ailments
such as asthma, malaria, fever, dysentery, diarrhea, epilepsy and skin diseases
[Ganjewala et. al,.]. Furthermore, this plant has many medicinal potential and health
products because it possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which can be
beneficial for further researches.

Hyptis suaveolens
Suob Kabayo

Family: Lamiaceae
The Lamiaceae or Labiatae (the mint or deadnettle family) are a family of flowering
plants. They have traditionally been considered closely related to Verbenaceae in the
1990s. (Stevens P.F. 2012).

Hypstis suaveolens
Hyptis suaveolens, pignut or chan, is a branching pseudocereal plant native to
tropical regions of Mexico, Central, the West Indies, and South America, as well as being
naturalized in tropical parts of Africa, Asia and Australia. (Kew.org 2016)
Domain: Eukaryote
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Hypstis
Species: H. suaveolens

Ethnic/Past Uses

In the Philippines, leaves and tops are used in the preparation of antirheumatic and
antisuporific baths , and internally, as antispasmodic. The intense odor emitted by
leaves is used by the Filipinos to drive out bedbugs, putting branches under beds,

chairs, etc. (stuartxchange.com [cited 2016])

Decoction of roots valued as appetizer,

(stuartxchange.com [cited 2016])

In Nigeria, leaf decoction used in the treatment of diabetes and in fever associated

and

also

used

for

flatulence.

with colds, while in India, leaf paste is applied on sores and fungal skin infections.
Also, used for cancers. (stuartxchange.com [cited 2016])

Future Uses
Hyptis suaveolens exhibit wound healing properties based on a study

of five extracts

that were subjected to antibacterial screening for wound healing activity using
excision, incision, and dead space wound healing models. A petroleum ether extract
showed significant activity on all three models. The property of this plant can be used
to make adhesive bandages to cover wounds and accelerate the healing process of

the wound. (Chitra S., et al 2009)

It also exhibits mosquito repellant properties based on a comparative assessment of
insecticidal effect of a Indica, H. suaveolens and O. gratissimum on Sitophilus zeamais
and C. maculatus. The property of this plant can be used to make mosquito repellant
devices like mosquito sprays, mosquito repellant coil, and mosquito repellant skin
lotions.

References
Endress ME, Bruyns PV (2000). "A revised classification of the Apocynaceae s.l.". The
Botanical Review 66 (1): 156. doi:10.1007/BF02857781
Heiser CB (2003). Weeds in my garden: observations on some misunderstood plants.
Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 50. ISBN 0-88192-562-4.
John H. Wiersema. "Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.". Ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 2012-03-30
Retrieved on June 2, 2016,
https://www.mcgill.ca/cine/files/cine/AetasDatatables_herbal_plants_July06.pdf, Asian
Case Study - Aetas of Morong, McGill.Ca
Tonanont, N. Wood used in pencil making. Vanasarn 1974 Vol. 32 No. 3 pp. 225-227
Retrieved
on
29
June
2007"
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/alsto028.html. Botanical.com. Retrieved
2012-03-30
Retrieved on June 2, 2016 from http://www.stuartxchange.com/Dita.html, Dita /
Alstonia Scholaris
Stevens, P. F. (July 2012). "Lamiales (Lamiaceae Family)". Angiosperm Phylogeny
Website. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
Retrieved on June 2, 2016

from

http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?

name_id=126237, Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Kew.org

Retrieved on June 2, 2016 from http://www.stuartxchange.com/SuobKabayo.html, Suob kabayo,
stuartxchange.com
Retrieved on June

2,

2016

from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeta_people,

Aeta

people,

Wikipedia.org
Wound Healing Activity of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit (Lamiaceae) / Chitra Shenoy, M B Patil and
Ravi Kumar / International Journal of PharmTech Research CODEN( USA): IJPRIF ISSN
Vol.1, No.3, pp 737-744 ,
on
June

Retrieved

July-Sept 2009
2,
2016,

from

0974-4304

http://www.scialert.net/qredirect.php?

doi=jbs.2006.626.630&linkid=pdf, Comparative Assessment of InsecticidalEffect of A indica, H

suaveolens and O gratissimum on Sitophilus zeamais and C maculatus, Scialert.net